By Norman Cousins
Cured by laughing? Well, not quite, but it certainly helps. In Anatomy Of An Illness, Norman Cousins quoted many sources to bolster his own journey from an incurable disease back to reasonable health once more.
His program of positive attitudes, laughter, generous doses of vitamin C--Supervised by a doctor--and a strong, unyielding determination to lick the disease, along with realistic goal setting is beneficial to anyone with health issues.
He quotes Sir William Osler, famous physician, as saying that "laughter is the music of life." How true! Just hearing someone laugh in genuine merriment automatically lifts the corners of one's mouth even if they don't know the cause of the laughter.
Especially fascinating to the average reader are his personal accounts of famous people such as Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Dr. Paul Brand. Music and humor generously blended with compassion for the sufferer, along with wisely chosen medicine works miracles.
In his chapter on longevity, he also describes a most interesting visit he had with Pablo Casals and how he dealt with pain in his nineties.
Norman Cousins two main principles are well worth remembering: "a highly developed purpose and a will to live."
Review by Betty L. Sheldon
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