Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-09-10
About "OYerMOrk."

A FAvoRITE theme with tie editors of So
called health Journals and household
medical guides is that of overwork,"
and so much has been written on this sub
iect, and of such nature, that, were we
TO believe and act upon the advice thus
given, the world would become almost
hive of drones. We confidently believe
that so far rs honest brain-work goes the
more we do of it the better, and If owing
TO a reckless disregard of recognized by
gienic and sanitary laws an occasional
" student" finds an early grave, let the
blame be put where it belongs, and not
credited to the worthy zeal that some call
" "overwOrk.n Having long held to this
opinion and believing that facts would
sustain us, We are gratitied TO find that an
eminent English physician has given ex-
preston to like view, and coming as it
does from one high in authority, we trust
il will receive the attention from both
students and drOnes that il deserves. We
condense from DIR. Wilk's communication
as it appears in the Lancet, as follows
After answering the simple question care
people suffering from ovcrwork ?'' with a
decided "NO!" the writer says "Medi-
cally speaking, l see half dozen
persons suffering from want of oc-
cupatiOn to one who is crippled
by his labors. Very often, when
"a business man complains of being
OYerdone, it may be found that his meals
are irregular and hurried, that he takes no
exercise, is rather partial to brandy-and-
soda, and thinks it is not improper TO
poison himself with nicotine every night
and morning." Passing from man to
woman, the case is made to appear even
more severe. 1t is not Overwork, there
fore, that is to be deprecated, provided the
work is legitimate, and such as to claim o
normal exercise of the functions. The
brain is an engine of many horsepower
its energy must be accounted for in some
way; if not used for good purposes it will
be for bad, and "mischief will be found
for idle hands to do" So the work is
actually safeguard. The human body
is made for work, and Just as the muscles
are better prepared for work by previous
training, so the nervous system, whether j
lie the brain or spinal. column, becomes
more energiZed by use 1t is only during
sleep that the brain is actually inactive
and hence, if we will not give it work Il
do, it will find that to engage its energy
even though in the end the labor be profit
less. After referring in Il plain thougl
| hardly gentle manner to the men anC
women whom the frivolities of lifl
keep idly busy" the writer contrast
them with those whose minds are neve
at rest, and yet who live to good ole
age. As the closing passages are not onl.
| truthful as to facts, but of value by TIL
suggestions they contain, we are prompted
! TO quote them at length, and should ther
! be among our readers some Of these over
worked brain workers they will find ii
| .la
ment The writer refers to the honest
cheerful, but constant workers as follows
Practically they have no rest, for, whel
one object of study is complete, they com
mence to pursue another. 1t is by tn
happy faculty of diverting the powers int
different channels tiiat this is accom-
plished. Instances might easily be quote
of statesmen, judges and members Of ou
own profession who know no absolut
rest, and who would smile at the susp
cion of hard work injuring any man.
make il custom to ask young men whit
their second occupation is-wlIat pufsu
have they besides their bread-earning en-
ployment Those are happiest who po
sess some object of interest, but am sorI
to say there are few who find delight
any branch of science The pure
scientific man finds his best recreation
literature or art, but even in intellectu
work so many different faculties are en-
ployed that a pleasant diversion is four
In simply changing the kind of labo
For example, Judge after sittiI
all day, and giving his closest attention
! the details of the cases before him, ma
4, yet find relief in his evenings by solvin
/ problems in mathematics. The subje
of overwork, then, is one of the create
Importance 10 study, and has To be d
cussed daily by all of us, My own OPT
ion has already been expressed, that Il
( evils attending 1t on the community
d large are vastly oYer-estimated; and, jud
o ing from my own experience, the perso
with unstrung nerves who apply TO I
Q doctor are, not the Prime M mister, {
!. Bishops, Judges and hard-working pl
Q fessional men, but merchants and stoc
/. brokers retired from business, Cover
q ment clerks who work from ten to fol
e women whose domestic duties and b
d servants are driving them to the gra'
!. young ladies whose visits 70 the villa
Il school OF Sunday performance on the 4