It is common knowledge that distressing mental attitudes have an unfavorable effect upon the functioning of the various organs of the body, so that the individual who is harboring feelings of intense anxiety, for example, is the victim of functional alterations in the circulatory and digestive systems. Inasmuch as the mind is the capital of the body and all organs of the body are under definite control of the nervous system, it is not surprising that mental states are quickly reflected in an altered physiology of the organs. Sometimes we fail to realize, however, that persistent unfavorable mental states may initiate serious and even permanent manifestations of disease. Note the following counsel:
"The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression, Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces, and to invite decay and death."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 241.
In order to understand this intimate relationship which exists between mind and body, it is well to consider the plan of organization of the nervous system. The nervous system is divided into two great divisions. The first of these hakes the individual aware of his environment, and enables him to respond appropriately to the environment. This may be spoken of as the somatic division of the nervous system. It is dominated by the conscious, cortical centers of the brain, and may therefore be spoken of as the voluntary nervous system.
The second large division of the nervous System is called the visceral, or autonomic, nervous system. It controls the function of the various organs, glands, and blood vessels throughout the body. It is dominated by the lower brain centers of the diencephalon, and functions, therefore, automatically on an unconscious (involuntary) level.
Although these two divisions of the nervous system comprise two separate systems of nerves (the first receiving impulses from the sense organs and sending impulses to the somatic muscles of the body, and the second sending impulses to the organs, glands, and blood vessels), they are not independent of each other, for within the substance of the brain there are many nerve fibers which connect the dominant center of the somatic division with the dominant center of the visceral system, and vice versa. This means that the functions of the various organs are automatically altered to correspond with the immediate mental state, even though the individual is neither consciously aware of the functioning of his organs nor able volitionally to modify them.
The visceral division of the nervous system sends two sets of nerve fibers to each organ of the body. One set is capable of increasing the function of the organ, whereas the other set is designed to inhibit such function. In the average state of normal health a delicate balance exists between these two sets of visceral nerves, but in case of stressing circumstances this balance is quickly altered so as to modify the function of the organs. For instance, if the individual is suddenly frightened, the balance of the two sets of visceral nerves is immediately altered in such a way as to increase the rate of the heart, elevate the blood pressure, and inhibit the activity of the digestive organs. This state of imbalance in the visceral division of the nervous system will last as long as the state of fright persists. States of anger and of anxiety produce similar effects. This is the physiological basis for the advice that mealtime should be a pleasant occasion, for "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine." It is conversely true that a state of anxiety or perplexity (as when there is quarreling at mealtime) will inhibit or arrest the digestion of food. Persistent states of anxiety can easily lay the foundation for chronic indigestion and other maladies, as permanent high blood pressure.
Still another form of imbalance of the visceral nervous system produces an increased activity of the digestive organs. This type of imbalance is the natural response to long-continued mental effort, as in the case of the diligent student or the ardent businessman who may be so unwise as to forgo physical exercise. This type of imbalance, if persistent, may easily initiate such disease as stomach ulcer, which truly enough may be removed by the surgeon, but which is prone to recur unless the individual modifies his way of life.
Now that we have briefly considered the mechanisms by which unfavorable mental states may lay the foundations for disease, it is proper that we as advocates of the principles of health reform should turn our attention to the means of preventing the establishment of these vicious cycles. It is worthy of emphasis that a guilty conscience, along with other causes of anxiety, is a potent cause of visceral imbalance. As medical missionaries and ministers of the gospel, we are in a position to assist those over whom we have an influence in the development of that spiritual insight that will enable them to place their full trust in God and thus obviate the necessity of living in a constant state of anxiety. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear ; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1 :7.
For those individuals who are in danger of visceral imbalance because of intemperate habits of study, there can be no better advice than that found in "Ministry of Healing:" "Ministers, teachers, students, and other brain workers often suffer from illness as the result of severe mental taxation, unrelieved by physical exercise. What these persons need is a more active life. Strictly temperate habits, combined with proper exercise, would ensure both mental and physical vigor, and would give power of endurance to all brain workers." —Page 238.
Inasmuch as such an intimate relationship exists between mind and body that undesirable mental attitudes may readily produce disease, let each strive to perfect in himself and in those who come under his influence a balanced development of body, mind, and soul.
