39 8 Human Physiology. 



ease, recover by going to the Cross-timber regions of Texas, 

 living and sleeping in the open air, and in the dry air of 

 California ; as in this hemisphere they make a longer fight 

 for life in Upper Egypt; and might perhaps do still better 

 living in tents in the higher regions of Algeria. Warm 

 moist atmospheres soothe irritation, and people do not wear 

 out so fast, but it may be doubted if they are so favour- 

 able to cure as cooler and drier situations. In early stages 

 of consumption, horse exercise in all weathers living in the 

 saddle has added many years to life. Those who sicken 

 in a town may always hope for some relief from the purer 

 air of the country ; and there are cases of local disease, 

 and remarkably that of asthma, which seem to benefit from 

 any change, even from the most healthy country to the 

 town. 



But asthma is a very curious nervous disease, whose 

 paroxysms may be brought on by very singular causes. 

 The presence of a cat, the emanations from deer, the pollen 

 of certain flowers will bring on an attack. Food influences 

 it so much that no treatment seems of any avail without 

 the strictest diet. If a patient will fast he can be healed. 

 To give absolute rest to the stomach and excite the action 

 of the skin by the most thorough water cure treatment are 

 the two indications of cure. By such means I have seen 

 cures in seemingly hopeless cases. 



The force of the will in resisting disease, and promoting 

 curative action, is very remarkable. It is seen in the will 

 of the physician to cure, and in the will of the patient to 

 recover. It is a triumph of mind over matter. I knew an 

 officer in the American army in Mexico, who, wounded and 

 in the hospital, was attacked with lockjaw, and told by the 

 surgeon that he had not half an hour to live. He swore 

 through his clenched teeth that he would not die, and 

 through sheer force of will recovered. When the will force 



