PEACE OF MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 288, 5 December 1931, Page 10 (Supplement)

PEACE OF MIND.

ON HEALTH OF BODY.

GREAT DOCTOR'S WARNING,

(By PERITUS.)

Dr. Mayo, of the Mayo Clinic, has been quoted as saying that the greater number of diseases are caused by infections and emotions. The control of idlections at their origin is almost nil, because,, until they are established, attention is seldom drawn to them. The emotions however should be under immediate and direct supervision and modified to meet the strength or weakness of the body. The brain is no , more than a part of the body which enables the mind (toul or spirit) to function, which, of cauree "*rae made manifest when the first man aiseected the brain of another in eearch of a thought. "Man," says Dr. Mayo, "cannot fear, hate, or worry

intellectually. He does these things With all his organs," and the very conetituents of- the blood are altered by the emotions. Given two bodies of equal approach to physical perfection, the one of peaceful gentle spirit will outlast the other animated by the temptations of the world. A reference to "Chambere's" tells us that it has been, proven genuinely religious people live longer than others. The "Easy" life is not necessarily the long surviving life, but the . life of unruffled peace of mind. "Be not anxious for the morrow," is the advice of the Great Physician of the Soul. It seems, although it has not been reported statistically,' that Salvationists should have long lives, for their emotions are constructive rather than destructive. Their future is, to them, assured. They cease to regard the past; their sins are forgiven, and sufficient for each day is the evil thereof, in their teaching and practice. They have no cause fct worry, or hate, or fear, and the absence of these should leave the eye clear, the blood cool, and the mind and body free for the service of others less fortunate. The Catholic Church has

long aimed at this perfection of peace for its adherents, by allowing the Church to bear all burdens. It is even wearing to the body for any individual to assume the cares or share the pains of another, and centralised affections are responsible for much worry. It is possible to render service wholly unselfish, and yet suificently detached to leave the giver oi services unstrained. A loving mother need not wreck herself for her children, nor is she intended to do so. Wholly unselfish sacrifice should have behind it a placid-self-approval, the virtue that is its own reward. Dr. Mayo has made a more sweeping t statement—that every second bed in America contains a mental case; Diseases in, and defects of the blood and body cause mental derangement, even more frequently than mental excitement upsets the physical balance and efficient functioning, but the action of mind upon matter brings about a condition of resistance to disease, and the peaceful mentality undoubtedly lessens physical'ailments. This age of hurry has increased the incidence of mental disease; excitement and restleness, greed and ambition, jealousy of trade and other rivals,, and a killing competition in all directions: have helped to fillour asylums, and Dr. Mayo's remarks should serve as a warning.