Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-01-22
REVIEW.
Confessions Cf a HypGchOairilc,

or TIE ADVENTURES CT HYP. IN SEARCH OF
HEALTH BY NJ. R. c. 5.
Uypochondriasis is one of the diseases
Of civiIizltion. In the simpler stages of
sociery the natural wants are easily sup
piled, and con'enmcnt generally drffused
iorbiis the approach Of imaginary evils.
Population, however, increases, and social
relations become extended and more com
pIica,ed. -Rcliucmrnt and luxury advance.
pleasure cnthrais and eXhauSls It's vOtaries;
whln an incessant competition springs up,
first tor the means OF subsistence, then for
wealth, rendering necessary an undivided
attention 10 single pursuits. the perpetual
strain of which seriously disorders and
impairs the vital economy. The finer
paris OF rhe mechanism of life are the first
10 suffer, and arrangements are generated,
i'm cure Of which tie most pO'ent resour-
crs of medicine are of small avail. Hence
1t is that we have among us numerous
class of diseases called " nervous, o.!
which our lorcIuthers are said TO have
been in blissful ignorance. Even now old
ortogana.ians. when the theme is broached
in their presence. may be heard TO eXclalm
that in their youthful DAYS such tancitul
m.ladics existed not; and, generally, those
who have not felt their effects are prone
10 speak Against them in terms of unmin-
clpd derision. But, however paipable the
m4ladv, or however doubtful It's seat, hy-
porhondriasis and lis attendant train are
rca' and widely-Sptead evils; witness, i'll
testimony thereof, the innumerable nos
trums put forth as cures by quacks, who
are guided bv no other aim than that OF
drawing money from the pockets of the
crcdulous. The volume before us, pro-
Tossing to narratc the adventures OF a hy-
pochondriac in search of recovery, may be
considered rs III great part crusade
against these harpics of health, and their
harlious and mendaciOuS practices. The
gist of the history may be briefly told.
After forty years devoted to the acquisition
of wealth. the writer, Peter Elder, rich
and unmarried, releases himself from the
trammcls of business, resolved 10 find ID
travelling a Solace for his declining years.
lie visits the chief sights OF Europe, the
usual haunts of tourists, but soon the new
excitement pals upon the jaded senses.
lie returns home, laden with sickness and
eunli to place himself beneath the doctors 5
care. Uncured hv one. he seeks another
and another disciple of -Esculapius Their
discordant advice perpleXes, makes HIM
worse, and ere long the tcrrOrs OF the con-
frmed hypochondriac besct him. Bath.
Cheltenham, Brighton are rcsortcd TO i'll
vain, and he is driven from Malvern by 4
lucklesS misa,kCnturc. Another hydro
pathc establishment, however, affords him
the means of testing the cold-water cure.
At first the experiment is attended with
success, he gains in peace of mind, in
strength, and believes himself almost cur
ed. But the demon was not vet cast out
- Ny period Of peace and pastlmc was
TOO short; like the honeymoon, Ii wasted
and waned too soon. Mine was not GU
rahle evil, or, so to speak, one which re-
quircs the agency of time, and oftentimes
an entire life. Patience eXhausts with
waiting, and fatigue grows from the seeds
of vacuty, and my real weakness and
want was mental employment. could
noI read, nor bear 10 think, nor register
my thoughts, nor use common sense to
batter follies, and seemed to have con-
sumed every novelty, for knew all the
modes, all the dishes of the dietary and
hygiene, all the odd sensations, comforts,
and discomlorts, of all the baths, bathings
and rubbings, all the visitors, all the Off
cials, all the holes and corners, tricks and
turns of the establishment, and was in the
happy predicamcnt of the poor man, who,