Psychoneuroimmunology does not have a precise object that is the focus of investigation. Rather, it is about a series of relationships between mind, nervous system, and immune system. The nature of these relationships and the ensuing discussion can, in turn, cover the spectrum from the abstract to the concrete, from philosophical distinctions with their origins in Descartes, to the physics and chemistry of molecular biology. However, unlike many philosophical conundrums which may only be

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... through lengthy and skilled analysis or through thought experiments, these relationships indisputably have empirical consequences. Many discussions of psychoneuroimmunology in the medical literature are strictly empirical, which is no doubt beneficial since empirical experiments define the factual boundaries within which the various relationships between mind, nervous system and immune system exist. However clearly these boundaries are delineated, the relationships themselves, of one subject to another, are by no means clear. Although a certain body of facts has been determined, the implications for these relationships has not been worked out. This article, as opposed to other review articles, rather than focusing strictly upon the facts that have been established in psychoneuroimmunological experiments, and what these facts may mean for the establishment of other facts, will be concerned with the facts and a therapeutic framework they seem to imply for the relationships with respect to the entities involved. 41 This paper surveys a number of key experiments and case studies relating to psychoneuroimmunology. It finds that most techniques to influence or even direct the immune system via the mind fall into a series of theoretical categories called passive, active and targeted effects. By examining the results of experiments and studies in the light of these categories a number of important conclusions are drawn. These conclusions explain differences in experimental results, describe those variables that appear to be central to obtaining results, and describe in detail where experimentation should be concentrated to further knowledge of psychoneuroimmunology. 42 Kalt