Observations placeholder
A case of colic cured by Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh
Identifier
026177
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
As described in Illustrations Of The Influence Of The Mind Upon The Body In Health And Disease, Designed To Elucidate The Action Of The Imagination - Daniel Hack Tuke, M.D., M.R.C.P.,
CHAPTER XVI. INFLUENCE OF MENTAL STATES UPON DISORDERS OF SENSATION, MOTION, AND THE ORGANIC FUNCTIONS.
SECTION I. — Influence of Mental States upon Disorders of Sensation.
A ….. case of colic is mentioned by Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh. He ordered a labouring man some medicine, and giving him the prescription, said, " Take that, and come back in a fortnight, and you will be well." As he returned at that time hearty and well, free from the colic and sinking at the stomach, of which he had complained, and with a clean tongue and cool hand and a happy face, Dr. B. was very proud of the wonders his prescription had effected, and said,
" Let me see what I gave you."
" Oh," said he, " I took it."
" Yes," said the doctor, "but the prescription?"
"I took.it, as you bade me. I swallowed it;" that is, the paper itself! But the story is somewhat spoiled for our present purpose by the patient, who was accustomed to relieve his troubles by whisky, having been ordered to discontinue it, and live on broth and milk instead ! So that the Imagination was, I suspect, the least important of the remedies.