Phineas Parkhurst Quimby

Exposition of Dr. Quimby's Method of Curing

A patient comes to see Dr. Quimby. He renders himself absent from everything but the impression of their feelings. These are quickly daguerreotyped on him. They contain no intelligence but shadow forth a reflection of themselves, which he looks at. This contains the disease, as it appears to the patient.

Being confident that it is a shadow (or a false idea), he is not afraid of it but laughs at it. Then his feelings in regard to the disease - which are health and strength - are daguerreotyped on the receptive plate of the patient, which also throws forth a shadow. The patient, seeing this shadow of the disease in a new light, gains confidence. This change of feeling is daguerreotyped on the doctor again, which also throws forth a shadow - and he sees the change and continues to treat it in the same way.

So the patient's feelings sympathize with him. The shadow changes and grows dim, and finally the light takes its place, and there is nothing left of the disease.