working. And I believe it may be fairly
admitted that in this work I have simplified the process of physically
influencing mental action and rendered it easier. The result from the
above conclusions being that _we can control many disorders or forms
of disease_. This is an immense subject, and it would be impossible
within a brief sketch to determine its limits or conditions. That what
are called nervous disorders, which are evidently the most nearly
allied to emotions--as, for instance, a headache, or other trouble
induced by grief--can be removed by joy, or some counteracting emotion
or mere faith is very well known and generally believed. But of late
science has established that the affinities between the cerebral and
other functions are so intimately, extensively and strangely
sympathetic or identical that it is becoming impossible to say what
disease may not be temporarily alleviated or cured by new discoveries
in directing the nervo-mental power or will. The Faith-Cure, Magic,
Mesmerism, Religious Thaumaturgy and other systems have given us a
vast number of authentic cures of very positive disorders. But from
the point of view taken by many people what has been wanting in all
is, _firstly_, a clear and simple scientific method free from all
spiritualism or wonder, and, _secondly_, the art of _Perfecting the
cures by Perseverance_. For what will relieve for an hour can be made
to cure forever, if we exercise foresight and make perpetuity a part
of our whole plan.

Now, as regards curing disorders, I beg the reader to specially
observe that this, like many other works, depends on the state of the
mind; nor can it be undertaken with hope of success unless the
operator has by previous practice in easy experiments succeeded in
perfectly convincing himself that he has acquired control of his will.
Thus having succeeded in willing himself to work all day without
fatigue, or to pass the day without being irritable, let him begin to
consider, reflect and realize that he _can_ make himself do this or
that, for the more he simply induces the belief and makes himself
familiar with it, the stronger and more obedient his Will will be.
However, this is simply true that to any self-suggestionist whatever
who has had some little practice and attained to even a moderate
command over his will, a very great degree of the power to relieve
bodily suffering is easy to develop, and it may be increased by
practice to an incredible exten