Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-03
MEDICAL.
From Combe on Health and Mental Education.
Ereessire Exercise Of the Brain


The evils arising from EXCESSIVE or ILL.,
timed exercise of the brain or any Of its
parts, are numerous and equally in accor-
dance with the ordinary laws of physiol-
ogy. When we use the eye too long, or in
too bright light, it becomes bloodshot,
and the increased action of its vessels and
nerves gives rise to sensation Of fatigue
and pain requiring US to desist. If we
turn away the eye, the irritation gradually
subsidies, and the healthy state returns; but
five; continue to look intently, or resume
our employment before the eye has regain
ed its natural state by repose, the irritation
at last becomes permanent, and disease,
followed by weakness of sight or even
blindness, may ensue; as often happens to
plass,blowers, smiths, and others, who are
obliged to work in an. intense Gg int.
Precisely analogous phenomena occur
when, from intense mental excitement, the
brain is kept long in state of excessive
activity. The only difference is, that we
can always see what happens in the eye,
but rarely what takes place in the brain.
Occasionally however, cases offracture of
the scuIl occur, in (which, from part of the
bone being removed, We can see the quick
ened circulation in the vessels the brain
as easily as in those Of the eye. Sir Asst
ley Cooper had a Young gentleman brougt
to him who had lost portion of his scull
Just above the eyebrow. "On examining
the head" says Sir Ashley, 81 distinctly
saw the pulsation Of the brain was regular
and slow; but at this time he was agitated
ty some opposition to his wishes. and dl,
rectly the blood ras sent Nth tncreased
force to the brain, the pulsation became fre-
qusnt Gad piolent; i, therefore," continues
Sir fasHey, "yoa omit to keep the mind free
from osiiat;on, your other means ar.H be
,.nara;lnap'' in the treatment from the In
iuries Of the brain. We are conscious
indeed, of q flow Of blood in the head when
we think intently, or are rousedby passion;
and the distension Of the small vessels OF
the brain is not the less real or influential
on account of its being hidden from our
view. Too often it reveals itself by its
efforts when least expected, and leaves
traces after death which are but too leg'-
bic. How many pubic men, like Whit
break, Romilly, Castlereagh, and Gaming
urged on by ambition or natural easerness
Of mind, have been suddenly arrested IN
their career by the inordinate action of the
brain induced by incessant toll! And how
many more have had their mental power
for ever impaired by similar excess =
When tasked beyond its strength, the eye
becomes insensible to light, and no longer
conveys any impressions to the mind. In
like manner, the brain, when much ex-
hausted, becomes incapable Of thought
and consciousness is almost lost in feel
ing Of utter confusion.
AT any time of life, excessive and con-
tinued mental exertion is hurttul ; but IN
infancy and early youth, when the struc-
ture Of the brain is still immature and DEL
icate, permanent mischief is more easily
inflicted by iniudicious treatmen; than al
any subsequent period; and, in this res
pect, the analogy is complete between the
brain and the other parts of the body, as
we haye already seen and exemp'lfled IN
the injurious effects of premature exercise
of the bones and muscles. Scrotulous and
riekety children are the most usual sui
ferers in this way. They are generally
remarkable for large heads, great precocl'
ty of understanding, and small delicate
bodies. But, in such instances, the great
size of the brain and the acuteness of mine
arethe results Of morbid growth; and, ever
with the best management, the child pas
ses the first years of its life constantly o,
the brink Of active disease. Instead
however, of trying to repress its activity
the fond parents, misled by the early prom
ise of genius, too often excite 1t Still! fur
ther, BY unceasing cultivation and tn
never failing stimulus fpraise and emula
ton, and, finding its progress for tim
equal to their warmest wishes, they 100
forward with ecstacy to the day when 1t
talents will break forth, and shed u lustr
on its name. But. in exact proportion a
the picture becomes brighter to their far
~ the probability of its being realized be
comes less; as the brain, worn out by pre-
mature exertiop, either becomes disease
or loses its tone, leaving the mental pov
ers slow and depressed for the rema'nd'
oflife. The expected prodigy is thus u
timaeely and easily outstripPed IN the soc'
race by many whose apparently dull ou
set promised him an easy victory.
Taking for our guide the necessities
The constitution, it will be obvious that Il
modes oftreatment commonly resorted
oueh. 10 be reversed, and that, instead
straining to the uttermost the already ir
table powers Of the pEecoclous child, al