New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

DISEASES OF MODERN life BY BE En- WARD WARD
ton SHe 4 co. NJ D''
DIR. Richardson makes no pretense in this
work to tie possession of marvellous secrets TOT he
cure of disease limits himself 10 certain PLAIN com
mon sense directions the treatment Of the body and
the preservation OF health He has no affinity Win the
class OF old woman doctors who eernay fussnS and
dosing and their infable prescriptions break down
more constitutions than Gil the skill of the faculty
can repair principal aim is to point out the causes
which lead disease and to prevent its occurrence by
observing the physical laws which the conditions OF
health modern society, Dr. Richardson hnds prohc
source Of disease excessive activity This pro
uces arrangement in the functions OF the heart when
II not promptly checked in the beginning sooner or later
inevitably becomes fatal The first symptom Of this dis
unusual restlessness The victim cannot sleep.
This IS followed by inability take tho proper amount
Of food. The appetite becomes eaprlcous. Every meal
Is attended with a certain degree Of uneasiness The
heart begins to show the effects The power OF CON
traction by which the blood propeedis enfeebled
Now ard then organ fails in its accustomed stroke
The eccreons also become irregular The mind paTtakes
of the general disorder The student constructs sentences
which he cannot understand himself Tho man OF busl-
ness orgets important details. He misses his engage
ments leaves counting house unlocked, forRets to
shut up his books and is scarcely able 70 add up row
Of figures without mistake The poet aud noNest' III
this state grow sentimental and morbid. Their plots
fall into Obscurity mesgerness showing that lhey
have written themselves out.
An excess Of physical effort less injurious than an
undue mental strain. Dr. Richardson descsnts especially
Oh the evils which grow out of the modern practice OF
training for athletic sports The heart under tins pro
cess becomes too irritable for the proper exercise OF It's
Natural functions. muscular structure rs undy de
yeloped on both sides The tension upon The arteries ana
the vascular organs too NO douAt the saect
Is brought into physical condition which challenges al
mlaon But the final results exhibit the case III diI-
ferent aspec Such state Of perfection Is artificial and
can be sustained only short time. The mode OF h'
required the process OF training Is nc"inpatoe VIII
the ordinary demands upon the physical system "heu
the voluntary muscles which have been sustained Dy ths
force OF Will ready for violent EFFORT returned 10 the
normal tone the oluntary muscles. and particularly
the heart which could MOI be reduced in the same way
remained in strength cut Of proportion to the rest OF ihs
active moving powers Of the living machine In 'he
opinion Of the author there s not trained proiesoha'
athlete OF ten years standing England who if not
disabled falling OF which has been cbseF'cc ocoie
actual failure is not owing to want Of SKILL or stiffness oil
font, but TO overworsed wOrn-out hear; and blood
vessel The boatyace Of The college student hay be
race Tor life rdthor than for fame Dr. Richardson mas
treated several OF men, who were thus cStp'eo'
before middle life, whose fine organization pTonised
vigorous old age under less unnatural and suicidal
system.
The combination o. different kinds Of fatigue accord
in 10 the author often aggrayates the evils OF physical
overwork This is shown in the effects OF military dflu
Such
ever fails 70 be less injurious. Men apparently
in excellent health often suctun5 to the euoft Win
frchtfu rapdlty practice Of making long Journeys
to and places business Is equally liable TO danger
GUS consequences. The Introduction OF railways mas
stimulated tie desire for a house in tho country IN all
large towns less here than in England men arc seen
every evening grcs Taste in order to catch the Train
that viii take them several miles TO their hOmcs Every
morning tire found IN equal haste leaving
their homes to their business Dr. Richardson
suggests If this double process OF travel could DC per
torned guetlv without exposure physical OF mental
shock Il would be free from danger and might be con
duciye 10 health Dut TO the the midst Of he eX
elements c, business life few processes sre'lnore de-
s;ructiye The result premature decline 81 Iuc, ny
which existence is rendered positive burden. one 81"
feet OF constant railway travelling Noticed by Tie GutIos
peculiar nervous reSlcssness which passes away rs
coon as the train starts but returns with such Increased
Intensity when stops TO produce feeling OF faint
ness or almost perhaps Of Inconsistencies This synp
tom indicates organic change the nervous matter and
is often fororuuner parasis Tho only remedy Tor
tits complete withdrawal from the c'usehat Is, from
the excitement and worry OF railway lifc.
Tie influence OF alcohol health is the SUBJECT or an
interesting discussion which the author does not o ia
with views recently set forth by certain Psychologists, IN
REGARD to the barTessness Of that agent ana even ia
beneficial effects when h1bituallV used or the human
constitution. Alcohol, he maintains, Il received FOL
long period Of tine into the body, In moderate
quantities efeees the vessels Of the minute circula
ton. When INDUCED in as a habit. and to greater
excess il produces peculiar effect. on the molecular
structure OF the organs ccrpUscles OF the blood
become irregular IN form. They shrink, ana become
crcnated notched at tleiT margins. Alcohol IN faet'
owing TO affinity water, act upon the blood cor
muscles after the manner o. salt. Tue blood shows an
excess OF fatty glObues, Ii absoros oxygen Will re-
duced freedom and in consequence o. this deseneiac
builds up an imperfect Of active vital organs ard
st1ctnres The temporary excitement produced by
alcohol accordingly IS at the expense OF the animal
force. The notion that it contribute to the
healthy action of the physical powers is wide,
spread error. Il is the duty OF sound psychologists
10 expose the deluson In the scientific education Of The
people no fact is worthy Of special comment tian
that excitement Is waited forcotho running down OF
the animal mechanism before it has served out is time
of motion There times, the author admits, IN the
life o. man. when the heart oppressed. and the blood
flows laucudy 20 the neryou ard muscular centers In
thcse moments alcohol may cheer II oosens the heart
from its oppression Drisker current o. blood TO
aow into the falling organs aids nutrtve changes and
on the whole VI temporary service TO II its use
could be limited 70 this purpose Ii would De among
the most excellent Of the its OF sccEce But the temp
taon its is - In the opinion Of the althof
as to be more than an Offset its temporary value as
physiological agent. Hence, ho afrns. alcohol is
dangerous in the hands OF the strong
and wise, but mUrderous weapon In the hands Of Tie
foolish and the weak il IL assumed by most persons
that alcohol gives strength and wo often bear feeble
persons that they kept up by stnulanis But
the evidence is perfect that alcohol gives cd
rover to brain OF muscle During the st stage Of ts
action 1t may enable feeble organism 70 do brlsk
Nork short time; may give temporary brliancy
70 the mind it may excite tue muscles TO rapid move
uent; there nothing permanent in its effect Like
fire II makes brilliant eight, but leaves dosoaton.
Nor does the author make favorable report the IN