MENTAL LAW OF HEALTH

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 126, 23 November 1918, Page 9

MENTAL LAW OF HEALTH

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Kindlj allow me space to compliment "P.L.8." on the souild, logical, common-sense he imparted to' the 'pubEc through your paper last evening. His theories are perfectly correct insofar as' they bear upon any physical scourge sue!} as at present prevails in tJiiis Dominion The question'of mental influence'upon physical Well-being is not widely appreciated, but I'thought it was better-and more generally known than appears to be the case ' Tlje statements by your correspondent that illness and ailmeiits were looked upon as a lYtfcessai'y adjunct of human existence in times gone by are only too true. To his remarks I would, like to ad^'my own testimony About'a fprtnight ago; when in "this camp influenza was-beginning to assert itself, I realised that I was caught iii the net'; and, the following morning paraded sick with a temperature of just a, 'hundred,' -with' the result' that' I was, with scores of others, sent to hospitil. Satisfied within myself that nothing but common or'-garden' influenza Was the trouble, I, with high hbpea'of being released within 48 hqui's; or three days at the most; determined to fight the malady down.: 1 had never beforel heard of anyone dying from' influenza or from tlie effects'of. anything' connected with, or known by, that name. Within four days, 'sir.-I was discharged; and even then sortie delay was involved owing to pressure of 'work upon t,he ; 'medical officers; pending discharge. I may add tliat 1 this mental or moral optimism is not)' by any means, generally, speaking, ray strong point, as almost, daily small tilings occur' which would by many people be taken no notice Of, but which, to a sensitive person; are a' continual source of annoyance and " imtatipitt. Anyone conversant with military matters can follow me closely. X only" mention, this to prove that'worr^ and discontieht can have'but one physical result, and that a-: tendency to logs o£ -yveight and strength.—l amj etc., " -'" " ' PRIVATE. Featherston Camp; 21st November.