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of thoughts, because it may furnish him material, data, plots. He may 
even seek to bring about this condition, or what is commonly called “in- 
spiration.” In this connection I might mention one case which may shed 
some light. A middle-aged literary woman had been complaining of dis- 
turbed heart action, marked especially by arrythmia. In order to correct 
the difficulty, her physician prescribed digitalis in larger doses than is 
usual. In a short time her mind became very active, with sleeplessness at 
hight and with a great rush of thoughts. She then came to me and I 
promptly had her discontinue the digitalis, when the mental excitement 
subsided. The supposed heart disturbance itself was treated by methods 
other than drug treatment. 
To what extent high blood pressure is a factor in thought stimulation 
in normal individuals I am unable to say. To study that will require 
“material.” If, as earlier stated, the physician wants to study those in 
health he must go to them, and seek out those whom he thinks suitable 
for his work. Moreover, a physician never has that complete control over 
his “material” as the biologist. Ile can take up or leave off work at any 
moment; the physician must get the consent of his patients. Even the 
hospital physician has a great advantage in this respect. 
It would seem a natural and simple inference that the increased cir- 
culation in the brain stimulates the cells, and thereby stimulates thought— 
and then at once the question arises, What brings on increased blood 
pressure 7? 
BorDERLAND Cases. Just where the normal shades off into the ab- 
normal or where “perfect health” changes into “ill health” is often diffi- 
cult to determine. There is no norm, there are no standards; what agrees 
with one may disagree with another. I will mention a few more factors 
which in some individuals play a role in thought stimulation. 
Music. The mind or imagination of some people is strongly excited 
by music. When one critically studies cases he may be able to make dis- 
tinctions between the infiuence of grand opera and rag time music, and 
whether the music is heard indoor or out of doors, as on a street corner 
or in a park. 
THEATER. Attending a play may bring on a lively “play of the im- 
agination.”’ 
CuHurcH. A merchant once told me that he did his best business 
thinking or planning while apparently listening to a long sermon. And I 
