tastic, may be classed as a
whole under the general heading of "nervous maladies."

To enumerate them is superfluous and unnecessary. Lack of poise gives
rise to all sorts of weaknesses, which are given the names of nervous
diseases and finally become classed in the category of phobias, of which
the starting-point is always a habit of fear due to excess of timidity.
This morbid disposition is the parent of a continual apprehensiveness
which is shown upon all sorts of occasions.

The man who has the space phobia is quite unable to cross an open space
unless he is supported or, at the very least, accompanied.

Claustrophobia is the malady of those who have a horror of close
quarters from which they can not easily make their escape.

Writers' cramp is nothing in the world but one of these exaggerated
nervous terrors.

Erythrophobia, that is to say the habit of inopportune and constant
blushing, is another of the commonest forms of excessive timidity.

Stammering is another of the tortures that people of poise do not
experience, except in those cases where it is caused by a physical
malformation.

All these maladies attack only the timid.

There are many others, less serious in their nature, such as indecision,
exaggerated scrupulousness, extreme pliability, hypochondria. All of
these should be ruthlessly supprest the moment we become aware of them,
for they are one and all the forerunners of that mentally diseased
condition which gives rise to the phobias of which we have just been
speaking.

To those who would seriously devote themselves to the cultivation of
poise it is, therefore, a vital necessity to be in a condition of
perfect health. It would be a misfortune, indeed, for them to find
themselves balked in their progress toward acquiring this quality by
anxieties regarding the condition of their bodies.

Any indisposition, not to mention actual diseases, has a tendency to
inhibit all initiative.

There is no room for doubt that a physical ailment by attracting to
itself the attention of the person who is attacked by it, prevents him
from giving the proper amount of energy to whatever he may be engaged
upon.

He thinks about nothing but his malady and quite forgets to take the
exercises that would enable him to alter his condition, to change his
actions, and even to make over his thoughts.

His thoughts above all. Physical well-being has an undeniable influence
upon one's mental health.

One very rar