Better Eyesight, February 1921
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF IMPERFECT SIGHT WITHOUT GLASSES
THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF PAIN BY THE MIND
Anyone who has normal vision can demonstrate in a few moments that when the memory is perfect no pain is felt, and can produce pain by an attempt to keep the attention fixed on a point. To do this proceed as follows:
Look at a black letter, close the eyes and remember it. Look at the letter again and again close the eyes and remember it. Repeat until the memory is equal to the sight. Now press the nail of one finger against the tip of another. If the letter is remembered perfectly, no pain will be felt. With practice it may become possible to remember the letter with the eyes open.
Remember the letter imperfectly, with blurred edges and clouded openings, and again press the nail of one linger against the tip of another. In this case it will be found impossible to continue the pressure for more than a moment on account of the pain.
Try to remember one point of a letter continuously. It will be found impossible to do so, and if the effort is continued long enough pain will be produced. Try to look continuously at one point of a letter or other object. If the effort is continued long enough, pain will be produced.
PAIN: ITS CAUSE AND CURE
By W. H. BATES, M.D.