212 Natural Salvation. 



animal life tend not to change, and for the most part 

 would perish if suddenly altered conditions compelled 

 great changes ; and it is but to a single tissue, even in the 

 human orgfanism — the cerebral tissue — that we can look 

 with any confidence for a successful contest with the 

 restrictive dominion of heredity. That one tissue is still 

 progressive and capable of self-direction and self-elevation. 



There is also what may be termed the hypnotic hypoth- 

 esis of old age, the idea that old age ensues from a fixed 

 belief, or mental expectation, that it will occur at a cer- 

 tain age. That from earliest ages this expectation has 

 taken the form of creed and acts, after middle life, as a 

 species of inveterate hipnosis, compelling the person to 

 behave after a senescent fashion, and feel the sensations 

 and even experience the pains of senility. 



In a word, that we grow " old " because we believe that 

 we shall grow old. It is, therefore, an attitude of mind 

 that causes old age ; and the inference is, that if a fixed 

 belief that man is deathless -and will never grow old, 

 could be substituted for this, his present belief, greatly 

 prolonged life would follow. 



In support of this theory, the well-known physiological 

 effects of innervation are cited. Muscle cells severed 

 from their connection with nerve and brain soon atrophy 

 and die. The same is true of other tissues. Stimulation 



