Norman Cousins (1915–1990)

I heard more than five decades ago about a blockbuster book that titillated my interest. Only recently did I get around to reading it. It relates to medicine and healing. Now that I'm tagged as being in the “senior citizen” category, it seemed high time to absorb this work by the late political journalist Norman Cousins.

This man created quite a stir back in the day with his book, Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient. It advocates self-healing through laughter. In 1964, Cousins had suffered from a not very well known debilitating disease called ankylosing spondylitis. This condition brings on inflammation, and can result in the fusing of small bones in the spine. It's very painful and is widely regarded having no cure.

His doctor was impressed with Cousins' will to live. The patient took great interest in his own condition. He thought deeply about what he was facing, and kept the doctor informed of those thoughts. This was certainly not the typical patient who either blindly obeys medical orders or is not so good at obeying what the doctor advises. The author came to a self-discovery that laughing has a therapeutic effect. He found that watching comedy movies that were very funny caused him to engage in deep belly laughter, and that in turn the laughing made him feel better.

That wasn't all Cousins learned while being treated. He took a serious look at the benefits of ascorbic acid, the substance more commonly known as vitamin C. The patient took large quantities of the vitamin after learning it was found to have increased lifespans of cancer patients by weeks and even months. He became personally involved in discussions with a young cancer patient who was terminal, but lived months longer than expected after taking ascorbic acid.

The book gives indications of how self-determination can play an important part in recovery from illness. The patient learned that extraordinary challenges can result in positive outcomes after the mind and body summon their innermost resources. The author's own body went far beyond the point where medical experts anticipated. I searched online and found that Cousins lived to the age of 75, his demise being the result of a heart attack. He lived a considerably longer life than what would have been expected, given the condition that compelled him to look into ways to improve his own health fortunes.

The book meets up to the hype that I had heard back in the 1960's. It is definitely worth the most stars it can be given.… (more)

It has Stood the test of Time

Despite enormous changes in medicine and medical technology in the lat 50 years, this book is still relevant.

Up front he says that he didn’t know if or how much effect the vitamin C made. Science seems to have concluded that in most cases it is not beneficial. Still, there are many who still advocate it.

The most valuable contribution is that patient attitude makes a huge difference. For him laughter played a big role. He was also fortunate to have a doctor who supported his effort to recover from the death sentence of his illness.… (more)