Learn More about the Book
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1914. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXV CONCERNING MOODS AND EMOTIONS The human body is a complex and highly organized machine, extremely delicate in its working. The finest hair-spring of the most sensitive watch is cumbrous and heavy in comparison with the nerve that controls the winking of the eye, for example. Every movement--every least activity--of this wonderful mechanism is controlled and determined, as you know, by the nervous system. The eye quickly closes when something is thrust toward it. This is at the command of a nerve. A certain set of nerves controls the muscles of the heart, so that it beats with the regularity of a clock, night and day. Nerves call forth the digestive juices, when food enters the stomach. If one sees tempting food when he is hungry, the mouth waters, as we say. The nerves go to work instantly and send forth the saliva which is to be used in digestion. Certain activities of the body take place without our direction, and usually without our consciousness. We seldom stop to think that we are breathing; although we may control our breathing and stop it for a time, yet without our thought it goes on. We do not control or direct the beating of the heart, nor the action of the digestive organs. But other activities are always within our control. We walk, for example, when we choose, and as we choose; we run, we sing, we dance, we eat, 'because we choose to do so, and when we choose. Are you not also conscious of the truth that you do certain things, not because you thoughtfully choose to do them, but because you feel like doing them? You say as you come downstairs in the morning, "This is a glorious day! I feel just like singing"; or "I can't work this afternoon; I feel like playing." If you stop to think, you will recognize that certain of your activ...
