The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-22

DIR. NJ. l.. HoLBRooK is tolcrably well
known rs the author Of several popular trca-
tises dealing with hygenic topics among which
Dyspepsia and Headache" and Fruit and
Bread have been particularly noticed In these
columns. His latest book. entitled Hygiene Of
The Drain aud Nerres. discusses the limitations
OF cerebral activity. the causes OF nervous tx
haustion. and tho relation OF food supply to
cranial and spinal disorders. The writer's
method OF exposition calls for no technical
knowledge on the part Of the reader. and there-
fore the analysis OF brain disease and the RENE
dial suggestions offered are likely to prove
generally useful. We may add that the book Is
rendered interesting by a collection OF authori-
tatiye opinions as TO tho proper scope and man
ner OF mental exercise. and o. data bearing ON
the intellectual habits Of literary men.
The author marshals u formidable array OF
scientific opinion against tho excessive mental
application exactod Of children and youth by
the prevailing system Of education. What Her
bert Spencer has said on this point deserves TO
have the widest possible audience. Hc has
pointed out that just as in the f0atus tho entire
vitality is expended in the direction Of growth.
and as in the infant the expenditure Of strength
in this direction is great AS to leave extremely
little for either physical or mental action 80
throughout childhood aud youth growth is tho
one dominant requirement TO which all others
must be subordinate-a requirement which die
tates the giving Of much and tho taking away OF
little-a requirement therefore which per-
mits mental and physical exertion 20
be augmented only in proportion IA the
rate Of growth declines. With even moro
earncstness. Professor Huxley insists in one
OF his lectures on the sovereign importance Of
keeping tho freshness and vigor Of youth in
m "a ell rs hot IItal na nj I..ftb
happy children who are forced TO rise too early
in their classes that they are conccited all the
forenoon OF their lives and stupid all the after
noon. The keenness and vitality which should
have been stored up for the sharp struggle Of
practical existence have been washed out OF
them by precocious mental debauchery-by
book gluito" J and lesson-hibbing. Thor fncul-
ties are woll out by the strain put upon their
callow brains and they are demorilized by
worthless. childish trlumphs before tho real
tasks Of life begin. Indeed. according TO Huxley.
the hardest adult worker. II he has to deal with
anything above mere details will dc well now
and again to let his brains lie fallow for space.
The next crop Of thought will be all the fuller
in the ear. and there will be fewer weeds. So.
too variety in mental action seems to be quite
generally pronounced essential to longevity and
health. 1t is affirmed that when men do not die
lapse. in nine cases out Of ten. from nervous
failure Aud this is tho popularity Of merry Gus
exhaustion. that it may be fatal from one point
Of tho nervous organism. the rest being sound.
brain worker. therefore. may wear himself
out 10y one kind Of mental exor'ion too eXclu-
sively followed. whilo ho may 1.-Two through
many exercises stretched over far greater inter-
walls OF timo. and involving more real labor. pro-
vdcd they be distributed over many seats OF
mental faculty.
DR.. Holbrook seems to have addressed to n
number Of literary men and women circular
letter OF inquiry touching their physical and in
tellectual habits Many Of the answers are well
worth reading. For example the famous theo-
logan. f, W. Newman. regards abstinence from
flesh meat as a decided advantage to an intel
ectual and sedentary person. No student.
he thinks. should grudge himself sleeps
and for his own part he counts seven hours tho
normal quantity. while II he can now and then
get eight. he finds his brain tho stronger for it.
As regards physical ex0rtion. he has no doubt
that hard, muscular work stupehcs the brain.
and ho holds to Cicero's rulo for students
namely. TO take exercise, SO much rs Is needful
for bealth but not 30 much rs will conduce 10
the greatest bodily strength. DR.. Newman fur
ther tells his correspondent that no prefers
rough cotton to linen for wearing apparel and
bed clothing. and he adds that dry rubbing
suits him far better than cold baths. Dr. IIol-
brook also publishes q letter from William Gull
len Bryant giving some curious details OF tho
latter's sanitary and mental regimen. But this.
II we mistake not. has boon frequently printed.
1t Is worth noting that William Hewitt takes up
the rules Of life followed by Mr.. Bryant aud on