I can't figure out how laughter fights diseases. When someone is dying of some rare tropical disease, does the village witch doctor come bouncing into the hut and do an hour of hilarious stand-up jokes? Maybe his antics can help the patient laugh a bit before dying, but there is no record of any medical miracle happening.

Of course, laughter can work some kinds of miracles. It helps patients forget their pains and worries for awhile. During World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam, immortal comedian, Bob Hope entertained troops all over the world. His audiences usually consisted of thousands of GIs gathered in an outdoor theater. But that was only part of his healing ways.

Hope also made it an integral part of his visits to go to the military hospitals in the war zones. He and his troupe of entertainers performed and and talked with sick and wounded patients one-on-one. Many movie and recording stars also did it during those wars, including John Wayne, Groucho Marx, Johnny Cash, Al Jolson, Red Skelton, Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe and others.

Some stars still continue the tradition in the current war, including Jay Leno, Wayne Newton, George Carlin, David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Kathy Griffin, Billy Crystal, Ann Margret and many country music performers.

Laughter certainly is good medicine. It may not actually fight diseases, except the diseases of pain, despair and hopelessness.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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