his spirit. I shall be a centre of cheer and
helpfulness to those about me, infecting them with my own good humour,
and this cheerful mood will become so habitual that nothing can rob me
of it."

Asthma is a disease which has always baffled and still baffles the
ordinary methods of medicine. It has shown itself, however, in Coue's
experience, pre-eminently susceptible to autosuggestive treatment.
Particular suggestions for its removal might take this form: "From this
day forward my breathing will become rapidly easier. Quite without my
knowledge, and without any effort on my part, my organism will do all
that is necessary to restore perfect health to my lungs and bronchial
passages. I shall be able to undergo any exertion without
inconvenience. My breathing will be free, deep, delightful. I shall
draw in all the pure health-giving air I need, and thus my whole system
will be invigorated and strengthened. Moreover, I shall sleep calmly
and peacefully, with the maximum of refreshment and repose, so that I
awake cheerful and looking forward with pleasure to the day's tasks.
This process has this day begun and in a short time I shall be wholly
and permanently restored to health."

It will be noticed that each of these suggestions comprises three
stages: (1) Immediate commencement of the amelioration. (2) Rapid
progress. (3) Complete and permanent cure. While this scheme is not
essential, it is a convenient one and should be utilised whenever
applicable. The examples are framed as the first autosuggestions of
persons new to the method. On succeeding occasions the phrase "from
this day forth," or its variants, should be replaced by a statement
that the amelioration has already begun. Thus, in the case of the
asthmatic, "My breathing is already becoming easier," etc.

Particular suggestions, though subsidiary in value to the general
formula, are at times of very great service. The general formula looks
after the foundations of our life, building in the depths where eye
cannot see or ear hear. Particular suggestions are useful on the
surface. By their means we can deal with individual difficulties as
they arise. The two methods are complementary.

Particular suggestions prove very valuable in reinforcing and rendering
permanent the effects obtained by the technique for overcoming pain,
which will be outlined in the next chapter. Before commencing the
attack we should sit down, close our eyes and say calmly