BODY AND MIND. 2i 



demonstrated by the study of some of the simplest actions of bodily 

 mechanism. On the other hand, this relationship may be equally 

 apparent, and may be even more forcibly shown in some of its 

 less understood phases, by a reference to states which as a rule 

 are known to the physiologist or physician alone. In proof of this 

 fact let us note the effect of some strong mental impressions upon the 

 physical constitution. Here we may meet with illustrations in them- 

 selves of literally wondrous nature, and which reveal a power of affecting 

 the body through the mind such as would scarcely be deemed possible 

 under well-nigh any circumstances. Some curious instances of the 

 effects of ill-governed rage, of violent temper, and of fear, upon the 

 frame may be first glanced at. Sir Astley Cooper long ago drew atten- 

 tion to the high importance of the mother preserving a quiet mind and 

 demeanour during the care and nurture of her child. This authority 

 illustrates his advice by several instances in which some remarkable 

 and unknown effects appear to have been produced in the maternal 

 frame by passion and by fright. An instance in point is given by Dr. 

 Andrew Combe. A soldier was billeted in the house of a carpenter, 

 and, having quarrelled with the latter, drew his sword to attack his 

 host. The wife of the carpenter interposed, and, in an excited 

 state, wrenched the sword from the soldier and broke it in pieces, 

 the combatants being thereafter separated by the interference of the 

 neighbours. Labouring under the strong excitement, the woman 

 took up her infant from the cradle where it lay playing in perfect 

 health, and gave it the breast. ' In a few minutes," says the narrator, 

 " the infant became restless, panted, and sank dead upon its mother's 

 bosom. The physician who was instantly called in, found the child 

 lying in the cradle, as if asleep, and with its features undisturbed ; 

 but all his resources were fruitless. It was irrecoverably gone." 



In lower life also, it would seem that fear and rage possess a 

 similar influence on the bodily secretions in inducing a deleterious or 

 even deadly effect. A puppy has been known to die in convulsions 

 on sucking its mother after she had been engaged in a fierce dispute 

 with another dog. The effects of fear in modifying bodily processes 

 have been exemplified in the case of the heart's action j but they 

 receive an equally interesting illustration in the disturbing influence 

 of fear upon the secretion of the saliva. As the mouth " waters " 

 when the dainty morsel is perceived or even thought of, so the 

 opposite effect may be induced under the influence of a nervous 

 dread and fear. No better illustration of this last assertion is to be 

 found than in the case of the Indian method of discovering a thief. 

 The priest who presides at the ordeal in question necessarily, by his 

 mere presence, induces in the mind a superstitious horror of discovery. 

 The servants in the household being seated and duly warned of the 

 infallibility of the procedure, are furnished each with a mouthful of 



