The general principles of Suggestive Therapeutics may be applied effectively by means of Auto-Suggestion. In fact, the "affirmations," "statements" and "assertions" used by many of the New Thought schools are but forms of Auto-Suggestion. There is no essential difference between the Suggestion given by others, and the Auto-Suggestion given by one's self to one's self. The healing power is in the mind of the patient, and whether it is called forth by his own Auto-Suggestion or the Suggestion of a healer matters not. The Auto-Suggestion is merely a case of self-healing by Suggestion, and is administered upon the principle of "every man his own suggestionist"--"sez I to meself, sez I." Auto-Suggestions are usually given to one's self in the form of "affirmations," as, "I am improving; my stomach is doing its work well, digesting what is given it, and the nourishment is assimilated, etc." In other works by the writer hereof, the method of addressing one's self as one would another is recommended as particularly efficacious. That is to say, instead of saying, "_I_ am, etc.," in Auto-Suggestion, it is better to address one's self in the second person, as "_John Smith_ (naming yourself), _you_ are, etc." In short, the Auto-Suggestion seems to have additional force imparted to it by being directed as if it were being given to another person. The following thought of Dr. Schofield is worthy of careful consideration in connection with the methods of applying Suggestion. He says, referring to the treatment of hysterical disorders and ailments: "We must, however, remember one great point with regard to suggestion--that it is like nitrogen. Nitrogen is the essential element in all animal life; it forms four-fifths of the air we breathe, and yet, curious to say, we have no power to use it in a pure state. We can only take it unconsciously, when combined with other substances in the form of proteid food. It is the same with suggestions. Not one hysterical sufferer in a hundred can receive and profit by them in a raw state--that is, consciously; they must generally be presented, as we have said, indirectly to the subconscious mind by the treatment and environment of the patient. An electric shock often cures slight hysterical diseases instantaneously, acting, as it often does, on the unconscious mind through the conscious. No doubt it would be easier if we could say to these sufferers, 'The disease is caused by suggestions from ideal centers, and to cure it, all you have to do is to believe you are well.' Still, it would be as impossible for us to take our nitrogen pure from the air, the mind cannot as a rule be thus acted on directly when the brain is unhealthy. Suggestion must be wrapped in objective treatment, directed ostensibly and vigorously to the simulated disease."