roid deficiency, as in cretinism, good results have been obtained by
the use of thyroid extract, thus supplying the body with the secretion
which normally should have been obtained from this gland.

But, whatever may be the function of this remarkable little organ, the
fact remains that it is of tremendous importance to health,
being undeniably endowed with extraordinary influence on virility,
physical strength and mental vigor. Now these facts were in mind when I
commenced the experiments which, as I have said, led to the discovery of
a method of stimulating the vital forces of the body. The problem
seemed simple in some respects. If the thyroid gland has such a
definite effect upon bodily health, the query as to how it can be
strengthened and stimulated to perform its work more satisfactorily,
assumed unusual importance and I was strongly moved to discover the
answer. The problem, however, was not by any means an easy one. A long
time elapsed before a satisfactory solution presented itself. The first
thought that naturally occurs to one when endeavoring to stimulate
the activities of any part of the body is to find some means of
increasing the circulation to that part. Ordinary massage will
usually accomplish this purpose to a limited degree, though massage to
my mind is a superficial agent in many cases. It will increase local
circulation, but it does not facilitate tissue changes to the same
extent as exercise which directly affects the structures concerned, or
the mechanical movements of the parts themselves that are brought about
through active use of them in some way. I have known of cases in
which pressure and massage applied to the region of the thyroid gland
have been followed by harmful effects, such as fainting, and
certainly no one with a weak heart should attempt to stimulate this
organ in this manner. Therefore, in endeavoring to find a satisfactory
means of stimulating this important gland, I did not give massage
serious thought. And I might as well say that I finally
"stumbled" upon the important truth which is the basis of the method
that I am presenting.

For many years I have been a student of vocal culture, having taken up
the study of this art chiefly as a recreation, with no thought of
ever publicly using any ability I might acquire, though I might mention
that the additional vocal strength obtained as a result of this
training assisted me greatly i