co-ordination between these functions is essential to the ideal working of the whole. As the strength of a chain is as the strength of its weakest link, so the disorganization or disassociation of a single cell proportionately disorganizes the entire mechanism, and should an entire function be affected, how much more will the physiological equilibrium be destroyed.

We can assign many of the functions of the animal body to distinct classes or groups of cells, and often to a distinct anatomical organ. Thus we have a fair working knowledge of the physiological anatomy of the entire digestive tract. But the exact location of the exercise of several of the most delicate functions has not yet been discovered.

are

Since we have come to realize how absolutely life is a conflict, and that the individual is exposed on all sides to living, active enemies, we fully realize that there must be a thoroughly organized function for defense and conflict. Organization and cooperation found everywhere else, so must be here also. I need not remind you of the newer acquired knowledge in immunity and prophylaxis. Trophic energy has long been recognized. There are not only cells active in the performance of these functions, but there must be centers bringing these activities into order and under control.

Consciousness is that phenomenon of mind through which we seem to be able to most effectually react to our environment. We all know what we mean by consciousness, but we can give no satisfactory definition or explanation of it. As I understand the term, consciousness is the most highly evolved recognized function of the mind, but the terms, mind and consciousness, are neither synonymous nor co-extensive. The popular attitude is to believe that consciousness functionates through the activity of certain anatomical cells in a way analogous to better understood physiological phe

nomena, but we do not yet know the location of these cells, though we are disposed to believe them to be very closely connected with the higher centers of the special senses, with the delicate apparatus of the finer associations, and the higher mechanism of cooperation and co-ordination.

If such centers exist, it is reasonable to assume that in this elaborate co-ordinating system they dominate the centers controlling the purely physical machinery, such as alimentation and similar functions, as well as those controlling trophic, recuperative and prophylactic energy.

For the purpose of this discussion, all we need is to consider that consciousness is a physiological function, and probably the most important one, as with it we associate ideation, volition, feeling, emotion, and all the higher psychic phenomena. Being, probably, the first of the chain of physiological activities, its condition most influences the condition of the other physiological functions, and as a consequence, if consciousness becomes disturbed and confused or distorted, other physiological functions likewise become disturbed and disorganized, for the perfect co-ordination of function. necessary to normal health will have become dissociated.

As we have already said, mind is a much broader term than consciousness. And it is now very generally admitted that mental activity extends far beyond the field of consciousness. Indeed, if you agree in the already expressed ideas, you will agree that consciousness contains a very small part of our mental activity.

The extent to which the theory of unconscious mental activity is accepted may be inferred from the following quotation from a recent article (by Dr. Coriat, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. VI., No. 1, p. 40); the author, arguing from the phenomena presented by a stated case, says:

"The data furnished by the analysis of this case also demonstrated that the most complex active thinking processes influencing the entire psycho-physical life, might occur without the subject becoming aware of them. This is certainly a most convincing argument against those who hold that the subconscious is purely a physiological process unaccompanied whatever.'

by any mentation

That states of consciousness do materially affect physiological conditions you will admit, from the lessons of your daily experience. Thus with digestion, we all expect that, generally speaking, the happy man will have a good digestion; the morbid man a bad digestion. Joy stimulates alimentation.

Sorrow inhibits it. He who with a constant introspection analyzes the digestion constantly arouses the fear of inability for special functionation. This fear soon becomes an established complex. One never expects to successfully digest an article of diet that one habitually asserts is indigestible. A disgusting idea stops digestion, a disagreeable smell nauseates, and so on with unlimited examples.

In fact, a normally active, undisturbed mind, free from all worry and depression, is the condition in which we usually expect to find a perfect digestion. And not only is this true in the main, but in the particular details of action and secretion. The secretory cells of digestion do their work just as we, knowingly or unknowingly, influence them through consciousness. Our mouths will often water at the very thought of a desired morsel, while food taken with a feeling that it is indigestible or distasteful will seldom be satisfactorily digested.

The Pawlow experiments demonstrate that the digestive secretions are directed and controlled absolutely by the mental state.

Does it not then seem almost absurd to regulate the diet according to the

condition of the digestive secretions? Would it not be more rational to regulate the digestive secretions by correcting the wrong attitude of the controlling centers higher up?

Can this be done?

The practical clinical experience of almost everyone who has personally investigated this question is positively in the affirmative. If we can reach and direct the mental attitude of the patient we can correct disturbed digestion so long as the physiological apparatus of digestion be intact.

Consciousness is apparently the directing agent in mentality, so, if we can excite a favorable state in consciousness, we have the key for correcting defective physiological action. The means chosen to excite a state of consciousness favorable to perfect physiologcial action will vary as does the predilection and personal experience of the practitioner. If the controlling action of mind be recognized, some method of direction, persuasion or suggestion will be employed, but whatever the means employed, the desired result is apparently produced by the readjustment of the psychic elements making up the controlling complex. Thus injurious and disturbing energy gives place to normal physiological activity, and a passive condition of healthy, confident expectancy is aroused.

Did time allow, I would give you from my own experience, a large number of what would have seemed to me only a few years ago, astonishing cases. I shall briefly state the prominent features of a few of these, hoping that they will practically demonstrate the underlying truth of my thesis.

And what has been my experience has been a similar experience with everyone, as far as I can learn, who has patiently and conscientiously investigated along the same lines. The only conclusion that seems possible to me is that impaired physiological function means either defective or per