Prevention and Control of Pain by the Mind

[...]

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 finger 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.
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Pain Number
Better Eyesight
A monthly magazine devoted to the prevention and cure of imperfect
sight without glasses
Copyright, 1921, by the Central Fixation Publishing Company
Editor—W. H. Bates, M.D.
Publisher—Central Fixation Publishing Co.
$2.00 per year, 20 cents per copy
342 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y.
Vol. IV - February 1921 - No. 2
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On Oct 27, 4:18*pm, Lelouch <misa...@googlemail.com> wrote:

[Third-hand anecdote from long-dead guy snipped]