TEE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL PAIN 363 



chalgia are, let us hope unwittingly, everywhere subjected, chiefly be- 

 cause of failure to recognize its distinctive characteristics and needs. 



The lady had reached middle life before anything other than un- 

 realized motherhood had noticeably hindered or marred her fortunes. 

 Then domestic troubles, loss of property, major operations came to 

 shock and strain her in quick succession; but even these had she sur- 

 mounted bravely and successfully ; only, however, to develop in time the 

 insidiously undermining of muscular control and all that goes with it, 

 known as " Parkinson's disease." After this had reached an observable 

 stage, it was evident that she had before her, not alone many long years 

 of suffering from her tired painful ever-pulling muscles, for which there 

 was no known cure, but likewise an ever-increasing danger from 

 intercurring diseases and accidents, which could only be averted by 

 constant care. But worse, much worse than all this, there was the 

 horrible prospect that through it all her intellect was to remain as clear 

 and the sensibilities as keen as ever, and that until the very last she must 

 necessarily be the cruelly enforced observer of the entire course of most 

 fiendish progressive physical decline. In fact, pain of body and pain 

 of mind were to be in closest concomitance throughout. Already she 

 had been partially apprised of the nature and cause of her disease; yet 

 had evidently allowed herself to expect a more or less positive denial of 

 this. But the facts were unquestionably against every view save that of 

 unqualified affirmation — to be softened, however, as much as intelligent 

 sympathy, general hopefulness, and patient care could make possible. 

 Especially was it thought additionally desirable to endeavor to instruct 

 and encourage her in the art of keeping her mind as rightly occupied on 

 matters outside herself as possible; and also by suggesting a variety of 

 means for combating the awful waves of depression and despair which 

 had already begun to pass over her battered feelings and were sure to 

 come with increased force, later on. After a month or so of this, during 

 which time she had gradually become more fully acquainted with the 

 true nature of the fight that was before her, as well as with a number of 

 really useful measures for temporary relief of changing symptoms, 

 especially those evidencing the " sick-soul " which would undoubtedly 

 be the ground of some of the most poignant of her sufferings, she 

 seemed vastly better prepared for her prospective ordeal, in that she had 

 seemingly conceived and adopted the large and comforting assurance, 

 that come what would, she would " make the best of it," and persistently 

 remain all she possibly could be to the relatives and friends in whose 

 circle she was to live. 



Soon after this, however, she fell in with a member of a coterie of 

 " faith curists," who assured her that she had no need to go through all 

 that had been hinted, if not predicted, but could most certainly be 

 " cured " simply by prayer, if only she would allow them to take her 



