Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-25

THE UNITED STATES.
1t is generally admitted that Nervous Discas-
es have increased greatly among US within the
last few years. Tho excessive use of stimulants
has doubtless contributed largely to this state
of things, but it is equally certain that pre-
dsordered condition Of the nervous system, has
also led many to form the habit of indulging in
these seductive agents. Moral causes have much
to do with this evil. Our minds arc strained
almost entirely in one direction Whatever
and continuous concentration On its affairs
The brain is not allowed to recruit itself by any
sort of healthful diversion, and business hours,
are pretty generally made hours OF complete
exhaustion. Our work is practically most Sc
rious matter We cannot afford to be cheerful
and lisht-hearted if any enterprise or project
engage our attention. The abstracted eye. the
solemn looks. the enslaved muscle, all tell how
wGighty the interest is before US and ike Ma
poieon, we must bring down our whole force on
every point Of attack. Not only SO, but we
manage to have every sort Of auxiliary in service
to drain off our vital strength
Every man knows how much the mind is
wearied by an extended conversation, and yet
our best business men will often talk enough in
any one day to tax severely a strong set of
nerves Fresh from long sittipgs and laborIous
discussions, they will go into other departments
of trade, spend hours over their correspondence,
push through intricate examinations, and then,
by way Of nota 6ene, sum up the history OF
ten hours, and SEQ how mach has been accom-
plisheds
Professional gentlomen and students are No
better There is the same passion for doing
quickly-for crowding as much as possible into
this single period of time-ior lighting through
our tasks rather than working. One reason fol
i this il our anxiety to have season Of rest and
travel in the summer. We arc forever taking
the year on anticipation. The present month
must be overburdened because ws intend to b,
idle in August. But, unfortunately, the vaca.
tion finds Us 50 perfectly run down that we arr
unable to rally, and deranged nerves come bacl
to the city with us in September.
A large number Of our countrymen injur,
themselves seriously by forcing their energie
when they are in an enfeebled condition Their
has been, for the first hours Of the day, an en-
crossing topic before them, and they have mas
tered it. Nature has put forth her best strength
And now, in all justice, she ought to have
moderate share of rest.
But ambition is deaf to any sach call An
other thing is despatched, then another, and 81
on until the schedule OF the morning has beel
faithfully obeyed Everybody ought to know
Of the system, is more pernicious than an.
amount of reasonable toll throngn the day bn
the lesson is unheeded. NerveAso or no nerves
the allotted drudgery is to be performed, ant
half the time, there is SO much dissatisfac
ton with ourselves, that we consume our hap
piness in q warfare with what We have volunta
rily assumed To pull at the laboring oar whe
everything in us demands repose, is bad enough
but to fret about it at the same instant render
it far worse Nor do We only wear out ou
strength in this way.
We oppress our systems in their exhauste
hours by other means. Scores Of men, who
: we know, eat hearty dinner just at the tin
when the nervous energies of the stomach a
at the weakest point. Nothing is more con
mon than for the brain to employ more nefsol
power than it can create, and conlequently
draws off the usual supply from other organ
At such time, the stomach is sure to be call,
on to aid the brain. Ii is thereby weakened. :
But our rushing, headlong countrymen care Ii
tie for that. A full meal is taken, and natu
! instead of finding her food pleasant, playf
!, matter to manage, is immediately converted in
8 a machine Of torture. Ono such NEAL in {
: exhausted state Of the stomach, is more perr
cious than score Of imprudences when we a
+, braced to resist injury. Much after the sar
| fashion are our amusemsnts. Parties and sir
4 lar recrsatioas are often resorted to when we a
: worn cut, and ought, in all sober sense, to I
9 tire to bed.
Q Now we may reason as we will against &
Q use of narcotics. stimulants and the like, b.
q there must be radical change in our habits b