Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-10
Oyerwork.

The Saturday Rsrielc, after ridiculing
the ordinary complaint of too much work,
says that these complaints are among the
most flimsy of all excuses set up by men
for the evils which they bring upon them
selves. Very few people really work
hard; and when they do, itgeneraly agrees
with them. Directly or indirectly, idle
ness does fifty times as much mischief. for
the best cure for excitement Is steady ap-
plication. A vast amount of good pity is
thrown away in the world, aud instead of
solemnly warning our friends to not do 10
much, we should lind it simpler to refuse
the indirect compliment for which they are
maneuyering, and advise them to relax
their minds by little strenuous activity
When the danger really exists it may gem
erally be remedied rather by redistribut-
ing the burden than by diminishing it.
very slight physical exertion may injure
man for life, if he only undertakes it in the
wrong way. Try to lift thousand pounds
weight by a sudden jerk, and you may
probably break blood vessel. Divide the
weight into ten portions. and lit calmly
by itself, and the exercise may do you
good. Run mile after a hearty meal.
and you may be injured for lite; walk ten
miles day and you may materially i'm
prove your health. The same principal is
applicable to intellectual labor. To lay
down any general rules is impossible. be-
cause constitutions vary infinitely. One
man requires twice as much sleep as anOth-
er; one man can do work before breakfast,
when another finds it better to set up a.
night and SO on. A few practical rules
will be learned by practice. The Lancet,
for example, is sensible paper on the
subject, remarks upon the Importance for
men who work at night of having white,
powerful and steady light concentrated
upon their papers, Pickering and diffused
light being one of the most serious causes
of brain irritation. Good food, with a
moderate supply of stimulants, and final
pipe before turning into bed, is comfort
able recommendation of the same author.
ity; while, of course, excess in tobacco
and alcohol is a constant cause of the in
capacity for sleep which is often attributed
to overwork. The rule is, in short, tha
q man should take care that he gets gOot
sleep and keeps his digestion in order. A
little unprejudiced observation of his owl
symptoms will teach q man of ordinary
sence how to keep himself in health and
by judiciOus arrangement Of his time an,
habits, he will ind that he can do as mucl
work with perfect impunity as will serv
him, If he so pleases, with an admirabl
excuse for committing suicide and becom
ing text for leading articles. 1t Is no
overwork that should be denounced, bu
, the bad habits for which work is made +
serve as an excuse. Eat to much, drin
too much, smoke to much, and do every
thing in hurry and 1t the wrong time
i, and i've hours day may send you to q
early grave. Show little common senst
and without injuring your health, you ma
e be a. v0luminOus an author as Voltaire, Q
r do ~ much legal or official work as tn
;. most industrious minister or barrister {
. the day, and see your children's childrel
{ and laugh 1t the degeneracy of the risin
: generation in the twentieth century.