128 



tual disease. Many of the symptoms occurring in chronic ill health relate 

 to disturbances in mental functioning, and hence must be given consid- 

 erable attention. 



If a physician desires to study normal individuals, that is, those who 

 are neither sick nor diseased, he must go after his material. And here 

 I might say that some, knowing my profession, have accused me of "talk- 

 ing shop." It is of course only those in search of a physician's services 

 who come to him — and this paper may therefore be regarded as that of 

 a seeker after knowledge, that is, a plea for more data from these in 

 health. I hope that when it appears in the published proceedings some 

 at least will take sufficient interest in the matter to give me their experi- 

 ences and observations. 



In regard to what I say here, it should be understood that this is 

 simply a short abstract of a longer abstract. If I were to bring together 

 all my data, and especially my case reports, they would make a large 

 volume. 



Classification of Data. For the purpose of classification as well as 

 for convenience of study, I have divided my notes under several general 

 subheads, as follows : 



1. Simple observations on thought or mental stimulation before my 

 days of medical schooling, such as any one not paying special attention 

 to the subject might make. 



2. Early days of medical practice. These notes are also rather simple, 

 for it should be understood that in times past a medical student's atten- 

 tion was not called to the subject of mental influences. 



3. Notes gathered while working among the insane. 



4. Travel notes while in Europe, among them many relating to the 

 environment of noted men and women, particularly of writers. 



5. Notes, covering the last ten years, based on a systematic study 

 of people in ill health, as distinguished from those afflicted with well- 

 defined diseases. The bulk of my notes relate to this class of individuals. 



(J. Notes obtained from individuals who may be regarded as healthy, 

 that is, not complaining of symptoms of ill health. 



7. References to the literature, a comparatively small amount of 

 data, chiefly incidental references found in biographies. This phase of the 

 subject lias been neglected, as it requires access to extensive libraries. 



