Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 47.djvu/782

764 the cures performed by this means, and states that his own practice furnishes many examples of the kind; but every therapeuticmiracle, he adds, has its explanation, and we are gradually becoming better acquainted with the laws which govern the origin and evolution of such phenomena, and better able to trace them to their natural causes. Two factors are absolutely essential to cures of this kind: first, a peculiar mental constitution of the patient, easily accessible to confidence, credulity, or, as it is now called, suggestibility; secondly, a certain definite form of disease confined to a very small province in the domain of therapeutics, and comprising only those affections which the influence exerted by the mind upon the body suffices to heal. To this class of ailments belong partial or complete paralysis, cramps, convulsions, and similar functional disorders, tumors and ulcers, muscular atrophy, defective vision and other troubles of a hysterical nature, which can be cured by hypnotic suggestion, or by impressing upon the mind of the patient the conviction of their nonexistence, or by appealing to the firm belief in some remedy which has no intrinsic virtue. Under such circumstances a cripple may recover the use of his limbs simply by being commanded to rise up and walk, or a person suffering from tabes dorsualis may be restored to health and strength by wearing a holy relic of high repute or by going on a pilgrimage to some wonder-working shrine. In both cases the cure is effected by the exercise of credulity under more or less morbid and abnormal conditions produced either by somnambulism or superstition; but in neither case is the result attributable to supernatural causes. The sole aim of the physician is to heal the sick, and he should be liberal-minded enough to make use of any remedy which experience has proved to be effective—it may be a pill or a pilgrimage, a dose of sulphur or devotion to a saint. In conclusion, Dr. Korum declares that "the Lord by these marvelous manifestations of his almighty power has in a special manner indorsed and confirmed the worship of relics," and adds that "the occurrence of so many miracles in our enlightened nineteenth century is annihilating to the haughtiness of scientific research." The good bishop does not seem to be aware that the events which he records, admitting the accuracy of his descriptions, are merely illustrations and confirmations of the most recent scientific researches and discoveries in the province of neuropathology.

Dr. Korum also endeavors to show that miracles involve no violation of the laws of Nature, but are only the temporary counteraction of their ordinary effects through the operation of higher laws. The following example may serve as a specimen of his reasoning on this point: A stone falls to the ground in obedience to the law of gravitation; the human arm or other agency