which is, that it gives employment to a certain group of motor centers and in so doing drains off a superfluous amount, an overflow of nervous energy for which otherwise we have no convenient outlet. The act of smoking and of watching smoke affords an occupation for the mind which would otherwise be working upon itself or unraveling some troublesome problem. It is in giving the mind the recreation of mere cloud-gazing instead of an immediate return to business cares or to the thinking about them that the after-dinner cigar produces its chief effect in promoting digestion and the normal progress of food matter through the body. It is doubtful It is doubtful whether any of the contained alkaloids of tobacco have in themselves much effect in this direction. At any rate they have never through all the centuries of drug experimentation been used directly for this purpose with any success.

As a means of keeping the mind busy for the moment in drowsy contemplation or as a channel of outlet for superfluity of nervous force, smoking is certainly a very effective invention. It has at the same time been a most expensive agent and we wish that some less costly device could be used. Hardly a smoker who has considered the matter but will say that he has paid dearly in cash for the supposed good results from the habit, and it is not altogether pleasant from another standpoint to contemplate the millions which go up in tobacco smoke each year with comparatively small good to the consumer and none to others, save the tobacconists.

While, as one layman remarks, "the opinions of medical men so much at variance about tobacco that their science only adds to our uncertainty in regard to moderate smoking," there can be no doubt as to its effects when used immoderately. Another thing which cannot be doubted is that tobacco, even in small amount, is positively harmful to a certain percentage of users, while to a large number of people the very odor of tobacco smoke is the most nauseating and disgusting of experiences. It is to

be hoped as we become more civilized, that all those who find pleasure in the divine weed will develop a finer conscience for those to whom the incense of this divinity is torture fit for hades. The physician who, reeking of tobacco, goes about among patients sensitive to the drug and hyper-sensitive to it for the time being, deserves, if he does not receive, a speedy dismissal from service.

HYPNOTISM AND DEATH.

THERE recently occurred, under circumstances peculiarly disconcerting to normal sensibilities, a death under hypnotism. A travelling "professor of hypnotism"-who when not thus occupied was a piano salesman-was filling an engagement in an "opera house," entrance to which was secured by the exhibition of a dime by the affluent and a nickle by others. The "professor" had brought with him two "horses" or "leaders," men who travel with the hypnotist and for a small salary permit him to "do stunts" with them. After the good old-fashion, when the "professor" calls on the audience for volunteers, these "horses" go up first, and by their example encourage the unsophisticated to follow them.

On the melancholy occasion here noted the better of these "horses" was put into the cataleptic state, although the "professor" had been warned not to use this man, who was dissipated and a continuous drinker. Nevertheless he was made rigid; his head was then put upon one chair, his feet on another, the remainder of his body thus being unsupported. The "professor" stepped from a table upon the abdomen of this unfortunate and thence down to the floor. Having done this two attendents, under his orders, lifted the "horse" to a standing position, when the "professor," clapping his hands, cried out, "relax." The relaxation was so sudden that the body slipped from the hands of the attendants to the floor, the head striking upon a chair in its descent.

The "horse" was then carried behind the scenes, but the "professor" could not awaken

him. Physicians were then called for from the audience, and there were three present, for the manager of that theatre had invited all the doctors of that town to come. There was at first no response, for it seemed to the physicians that their being called upon was but a part of the advertising game, into which they were not desirous of being drawn. Finally, however, they did go, but all their efforts at resuscitation availed nothing. Then appeared, from a similar theatre up the street, a rival hypnotist, armed with a diploma from some school of hypnotism, and a photograph of himself, in case it should be needed; this unassuming man volunteered, if "the control" were transferred to himself, to bring the victim back to life; passes, "suggestioning heart action to the subject," all the tricks of the trade were gone through, but the subject's ear was deaf to them—and for the all-sufficient reason that he was dead.

Autopsy revealed a ruptured aortic ancurism three-quarters of an inch in length. Who dare question that this rupture was the result of such a procedure as stepping with all one's weight upon the rigid body of a man supported only by the head and feet. And yet the "professor" had the hardihood to claim that he had no knowledge of any organic weakness on the part of his "horse"; how could he have dared such procedures without some examination of the cardium and other organs!

Hypnotism has long been recognized by those knowing most about it to be a dreadfully dangerous procedure - dangerous physically, psychically and morally, even in the hands of the most conscientious and able experimenters. It is now very rarely

resorted to as a remedial measure; suggestion, persuasion and re-education having almost entirely taken its place in legitimate psychotherapeutics. "Hypnotism is a dangerous measure, and only of occasional service" (Church). Its display in public is peculiarly pernicious; its effect upon the morbidly-minded is to accentuate abnormality.

Since, therefore, responsible practitioners have almost completely abjured it, how reprehensible become public exhibitions of it, in which the subjects hypnotized are made' to do things ignoble, contemptible and subversive of human dignity, for the edification and amusement of nickle and dime audiences. We have recently seen a subject exposed in broad daylight, in a public show window, in a cataleptic state, with a placard pinned to his clothing notifying that at the evening's performance in the adjacent theatre the world-renowned hypnotist so-and-so would awaken him. The rival hypnotist we have mentioned as so modestly coming forward with his photo. and his diploma, is now advertised to appear in a metropolitan theatre, with the announcement that had he been called upon in time that unfortunate tragedy would, through his incantations, have been avoided; all would have been well had he come betimes upon the scene.

Now that a death has occurred in consequence of these detestable practices, should not a law be framed (such as now exists in France) adequately operative to prevent such exhibitions, so abhorrent as they are to all sense of decency, so baneful in their effect upon the public morals, so subversive of right feeling and normal instincts!

MANY wise persons and some of large scientific attainments will answer the question propounded in the negative. For example, Charles E. de M. Sajous, whose breadth of information, whose mature and judicial mind, exceeds that of any physician of my acquaintance, holds the opinion that physical exercise, active or passive, is not essential to preserve physiologic balance. He asserts that it is enough for most persons to exercise the mind and live wholesomely to maintain normality of life processes. Horace Fletcher has demonstrated in his own person (and others) that merely by thorough mastication (as he teaches it) and without training exercises he was enabled at the age of 59, to not only equal the endurance tests in the Yale Gymnasium (maximum 175 points), but to easily surpass them (maximum 300 points); all the while living on 17 cents a day. On the other hand, my veteran chief, S. Weir Mitchell,* world-famous for brilliancy, many-sidedness and scientific acumen, is a living example at eighty years of an enthusiastic mountain climber, who spends many hours a day in summer on foot among the hills. He furthermore emphasizes in his practice the utility of maintaining bodily efficiency, by insisting that his patients employ judicious

exercises.

It is true that a goodly number of people remain healthy while employing the minimum of bodily movements. It is also true that a considerable number of those who faithfully pursue motor activities fall into sundry evil happenings. These last upon analysis will be generally found to have suffered from unrecognized functional

Dr. Weir Mitchell has always spent much time in open air activities; is an ardent salmon fisherman, each year spending several weeks thus employed. At the age of sixty-eight he began to ride a bicycle, etc. He also believes in full, generous feeding.

errors, latent or concealed organic derangements, especially of the nervous or circulatory systems or kidneys. It is fair to assume that most could have obtained correction had proper medical supervision been supplied. Many such instances have come under my personal observation.

A few instances of exhaustion states, accompanied by distressing neuralgias, have been seen due to excessive muscular activities.

One gentleman of 60 consulted me for a deplorable state of exhaustion neuroses who had lived an almost blameless life but persisted in playing tennis, riding bicycle and variously overtaxing his strength. Judicious moderation in these along with a simplified method of elasticizing measures produced a prompt cure.

All else being equal, we may safely assume that it is desirable not only to cultivate and maintain motor efficiency, but to enhance it by living in accord with biologic laws.

Man is a wonderfully endowed animal, well known to be capable of excelling most domesticated animals whose power and endurance form their chief utility. His superiority as a doer, as a goer, to even that miracle of activity and endurance the horse, has been proven repeatedly. The chief element of this supremacy is generally assumed to be the directing mind. This scarcely obtains in the instances of savage runners, jinrickshaw men, etc. All the evidence, when sifted, points to the paramount. power which resides in full use of human muscles and those mechanisms which contribute to sustain them in normal competency.

Nor are the diatribes of sedentary cavillers, combined and focussed upon the negative, competent to disprove the primordial

truth that, till man shall be utterly degenerated by social evolution into the nearest possible approach to a disembodied intelligence, he is, and will remain, the better for a systematic development of his motor equipment.

How far motor efficiency conditions intellectual competence cannot be statistically determined. Facts to sustain the significance of the interdependence will be adduced in another place. Throughout recorded history there is abundant evidence of unimpeachable value to show that intellectual forcefulness has advanced pari pasu with modes of life designed to encourage bodily betterments. It would be tempting to pursue historical parallels, but would lead too far afield at this time. Suffice it to cite one convincing contribution, the book by Mrs. Sophia P. Shaler, entitled "Masters of Fate, the Power of the Will" (Duffield & Co., N. Y., 1906). In this will be found sketches of the lives of about two hundred and fifty human beings distinguished in various branches of the higher realms of endeavor, illustrating how they not only triumphed over serious bodily limitations or infirmities, but also consciously selected and pursued well devised plans for raising the measure of their physical powers to a height which enabled them to reach the acme of varied inherent potentialities.

These illustrations are peculiarly significant because they represent the worst physical defects. What a noble showing could be made by conversely citing the lives of those who achieved large successes upon a good foundation of physical vigor, judiciously amplified.

Should any earnest seeker for truth desire to array the contrary evidence and portray the methods of those persons who refused wholly to employ motor activities either for utility or pleasuse, it would be be instructive reading. It remains to be done, so far as I can learn. That much foolishness is exhibited by injudicious enthusiasts extolling the virtues of physical culture, unfortified by critical judgment or by compliance with the criteria

of evidence, those of us who believe in wisely training the body, regretfully admit.

One point must be conceded by those who condemn or would ignore the desirableness of physical fitness, viz., that it is only possible to know and judge by personal experience.

Unless one has enjoyed the thrilling pleasure of a body fully in tone, in full, harmonious actionability, for whatever task offers, that splendor of possessed power, endurance and capacity (only possible when trained along normal lines), he cannot speak authoritatively. Or for that matter one who may claim that in a long past youth he was then in full fettle, able and doing whatever a vigorous youth invited, but who early abandoned all this, is not one to speak the final word, pro or con.

It should be interesting for everyone to know that it is possible to neglect with some safety bodily activities till past middle life. There comes a time, however, when it is no longer safe to trust wholly to nature, or to nature's God, to supply health indefinitely. A few may be so fortunate, but it would seem the plainest duty to ourselves to seek good counsel and be guided in the right way to earn health. Long ago, Emerson, in formulating rules for achieving health, laid down the axiom that it must always be earned, not merely deserved. Just as it is a fallacy for anyone to expect the world to supply some gratuitous form of living without adequate effort to earn, so it is wholly fallacious to expect the powers of nature to maintain indefinitely without personal co-operation.

Nothing is ours by any right except that of intelligent effort.

What is "physical condition?"

Let me offer in evidence a leaf from my own experience. It has always been my ambition to keep my body in fair condition, partly as a groundwork for effective life, partly as a legitimate pleasure, and not least as a clinical evidence of the attainable. During the formative period my own experience was that common to most American youths, with a difference; my ambition was

to excel physically, not in feats alone but for a definite object, viz., to fit myself for a long life of useful activities. Hence what is ordinarily the spontaneous action of thoughtless youth seeking amusement was for me that, but something more—a laudable purpose. During the exigencies of active medical practice it is not permissible by custom or opportunities, much less by the exactingness of a work never done, to indulge in active sports. None the less it was found possible to so utilize odd moments as to keep my circulation adjusted to all demands, some of them sudden and severe; to keep my weight the same for over thirty years; to preserve the size, quality and, above all, the elasticity of musculature closely to the form established during college days. It may be urged that many succeed thus far with less intensive effort, but the efforts expended by me have accomplished something better.

It is my opinion that as years creep on and inevitable disabilities arise, the care thus bestowed will go far toward maintaining vital rhythm and act as a defense against catastrophes. In this view I am sustained by analogy; fortified by much scientific and practical data.

The objections which are lodged against that form or degree of physical training which is employed by competitive athletes becomes cogent mainly because of the excessive strains put upon the organism by the contest, rather than by the preliminary process. A certain number of graphic instances of damagements do come to public notice which serve as lurid texts, as solemn warnings. Little attention is given to the vital question of how much valuable physical education is achieved in the process by the thousands who remain unscathed, pass into the ranks of triumphant citizenship gaining successes by reason of the lessons learned, lessons of persistence, courage, endurance, leading to conquest.

Personal observation during a lifetime of over half a century has resulted in amassing much reliable information. The logical de

ductions tend to prove that physical fitness, natural or acquired, gives enormous advantages to the possessor. There are no statistics upon which to base scientific deductions; hence dependence must rest upon the statements of men who, like myself, endeavor to judge honestly of the facts by experience and observation, utilizing all available scientific data.

We may first look into the adverse evidence, taking cognizance of the assertions of those who would have us believe that systematic physical education is needless, makes for animalism, or leads to hurtfulnesses physically or morally. In 1893 I published a paper on "Effects of Athletics on Length of Life," in which I cited personal histories of thirty men all over fifty, some over seventy, who had been extraordinary athletes and were at the time of writing in apparently perfect health. At present I could multiply the number many times, since my personal acquaintances, naturally cœval with myself, are chiefly among men of over fifty years of age. With equal faithfulness I could cite the catastrophes which came upon a certain few who had been athletes and became disabled or died. The narrative of the latter would be a dismal tale, dealing chifly with the effects of alcoholism, dissipation, diseases self-induced, with only most rarely "natural causes," 1.., presumably inevitable accidents, traumatic or infectious. I look in vain among the pages of my memory for authentic instances of genuine damage upon a healthy organismi by even extraordinary physical strains, and will be grateful for any information. Naturally the reply to this would be that possibly those breakdowns, so graphically, even triumphantly produced by objectors, were caused by the physical training. It is true that in enumerating the causes of many degenerative processes, there is notably that most insidious and universal malady, high blood pressure leading to arteriosclerosis. Also muscular strains are accredited with serious potentialities. The reply is that con