Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-09
The Effect of Fear in rendering the system
susceptible of Disease.

susceptible of Disease.
There are four classes of persons who en-
Joy remarkable immunity from infectious dis
eases, and three certainly of these classes
are composed of the very persons who would
be thought most liable to suffer from such
epidemcs-we mean physicians, nurses, chill
dren, and that of excellent kind hearted fe-
males, who delight, land to their honor be il
told in going about among the sick watch
ing with them, and performing for them those
numerous friendly offices that alleviate their
pains, and spare them many an hour of
gloomy solitude.
The physician is constantly passing from
the open air to the sick chamber, and from
the latter again into the former He is IA
tigued by his labors, and naturally perhaps
of slender constitution, yet he escapes -
while the friend or relative, strong, robust,
and living at ease in healthy situation,
makes but a single short visit to the patient
and imbbcs his disease The nurse, under
circumstances in one respect the reverse of
those above related, lives on day after day.
and night after night, in the atmosphere Of
disease, and yet enjoys similar immunity.
The benevolent watcher, familiar with scenes
Of distress, and interested in relieving il,
seldom suffers in consequence Of her anxious
toll; and the infant hangs on the breast of
its mother while she is suffering from the
plague, without catching the maIady The
causes of this immunity are unquestionably
various. The system in some of the cases
above stated, becomes gradually accustomed
to diseased atmosphere, and less suscepti-
bic of its peculiar stimulus. But, when we
view the whole ground, and reflect on the
peculiarites of all the classes that are usu-
ally slow TO receive infection, and contrast
them with those of the persons most frequent
| ly and easily affected by it, we are drawn
irresistibly TO the conclusion that fear, op-
prehension, more than any other single agent,
brings the system into a condition suitable
to the reception Of morbid influence and
that the absence of fear, more than natural
strength Of constitution or vigor of health,
renders it nsensibe to such influence. In
fants from the limited extent Of their rea-
soning powers and their observation, arc
protected entirely from any of the peculiar
effects Of the fear of disease; and the other
persons mentioned, by their familiarity with
sickness and its usual paraphernaia, and by
the active part they are called to take in the
care Of the diseased, seldom if ever think oil
any personal hazard. The occasional visit,
or, on the other hand, unaccustomed TO the
solemnity, the scenes, and the circumstances
of sick chamber, is awed, embarrassed
agtated, perhaps, by the impressive manner
look, movement, and conversation Of all pre-.
sent He sympathizes deeply with his friend
magines himself in the same condition, fears
he has already imbibed the seeds of disease
and takes his departure only TO have those
fears realized. Every physician knows tina
in times Of epidemics those persons who ash
with most earnestness and anxiety wha
means o! prevention they can adopt, are uni
formly the first to require the means of cure
We would impress the fact strongly on tn,
minds of all.-ln sickly seasons live tempe
rately, and trouble not yourselves about you
personal danger. If your friend is attacked
and you can serve or console HIM, think no
of your exposure, but visit and minister I,
him; and if you do this with disinterestet
zeal, with ready hand and willing heart
with a clear conscience and undaunted spirit
Il you will find your reward in an almost Ger
tain immunity. We know no other protec
tion--we can give no better counscl.-Bosf
Medical Journal