HENCE it is that _Philosophers_ advise, to shun the _Society_ of wicked and impious Men; because their _Souls_, being full (as it were) of pernicious _Rays_, infect them who are _near_, with a _resembling Contagion_: As they enjoin likewise on the other hand, to keep and frequent the _Fellowship_ of good and fortunate Men; because (by such a _Proximity_) they are diffusive of their own _Good_, and infuse it into _Those_ about them. For as BAD of something _bad_, so GOOD of something _good_, always descends and adheres to the _nighest_; which virtually (like the _Smell of Musk_, or _Assa-Fœtida_) continues a long time its lasting _Impression_. HERE might be indeed a great deal said upon the EFFICACY of the _Constancy of the Mind_; but because I’ve already been too prolix on this _Head_, I shall only observe, that in all our _Business_ and _Applications_, a strong _IMAGINATION_, zealous _Affection_, firm _Hope_, and stedfast _Belief_, are great Advantages, and necessary Helps. As some most excellent _Physicians_ have experimentally verified this Notion, that a strong _Belief_, and constant _Hope_, together with the _Love_ and _Confidence_ of the PATIENT towards the _Physician_, conduce very much to the Recovery of _Health_, and sometimes perhaps more than the _Medicine_ itself: Because the firm _IMAGINATION_ of the honest _Physician_ concurring (in effect) with the _Medicine_, and strongly hoping it will do him _Good_, he thereby influentially changes the _Symptoms_, and virtually alters the _Qualities_ in the _Body_ of the _Sick_; especially if the PATIENT reposes an _entire Confidence_ in him, by which means he becomes mutually disposed to receive the VIRTUE of the _Physician_, as well as _That_ of the PHYSICK. THE[47]_Arabian Philosophers_ join’d in this Opinion, establishing it for a _Fundamental Maxim_ among them; that _whatever the constant Mind_ affected _with a fervent Desire_, _would be_ effected: As in the Case of the MIND of _Him_, who is vehemently in _Love_, whatever it _affects_, has an _Efficacy_ to cause LOVE; and so in other such like Cases. BUT however, to come closer to the _IMAGINATION_ of the Pregnant _Woman_, who knows not that it _affects_ the INFANT in the _Womb_? Whence is it then that we have so many _deform’d Persons_, _crooked Bodies_, _ugly Aspects_, _distorted Mouths_, _wry Noses_, and the like, in all Countries; but from the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_; while she either conceives such shapeless _Phantasms_ in her _Mind_, or while she frequently and intently fixes her _Eyes_ upon such _deform’d Persons_ or disagreeable _OBJECTS_? Wherefore it is very wrong, and highly imprudent in _Women_ that have conceived, to please themselves so much in playing with _Dogs_, _Squirrels_, _Apes_, &c. carrying them in their _Laps_ or _Bosoms_, and feeding, kissing, or hugging them, as I have both often heard, and seen with my own Eyes.