16 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



VOL. 65. 



Sir Kenelmee Digby. " Toucliiny the cure of woniids l),v powder of sym- 

 pathy ; " and J. B. Van Helniont. "A ternary of paradoxes." Cat. No. 143,504, 

 U.S.N.M. 



I'SYCHIC MEDICINE 



Psycliic, or mind, medicine is <i general term applied to methods 

 of treating disease through mental impressions. States of mind are 

 induced, or mental qualities stimulated to such a degree as to modify 

 physiological function, and through such modified function even to 

 produce tissue change. Confidence, hope, faith, are aroused, the 



Fig. S. — Charms Worn fou Pkotection Against the Evil Eye. 



imagination excited, the attention fixed by suggestion or individual 

 effort, or certain peculiar mental conditions induced which are known 

 by the names of mind healing, faith cure, mesmerism, hypnotism, etc. 



All these psj^chic conditions may be established bj' sensory im- 

 pressions, as by music (incantations), visual objects to fix the atten- 

 tion, eyestrain to modify consciousness, by manipulation, by personal 

 influence (magnetism) of the mind doctor, or by mental effort on 

 the part of the patient. 



Since these methods rarely call for paraphernalia, implements, or 

 apparatus of any kind, but are merely ceremonial, it is not possible 

 to illustrate this form of medicine, except by a few objects. 



