The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-11
HEARTS OV.ERWOKED.
The Wear and Tear of Modern Bust
ness Life.

From Chambers Journsl.
No organ in the body is SO liable to be
overworked as the heart. When every
other part of the body sleeps, il keeps on
its perpetual motion. Every increased
effort or action demands from the heart
more force. A man runs to catch train
and mis- heart beats audibly. He drinks
wine and his blood rushes through its
reservoir faster than ever was intended by
nature. His pulse rises after each course
ct dinner. A telegram arrives and his
heart knocks at bis side. Ana when
any one of these "excltements" is over,
he is conscious OF a correspondent depres-
sion-a sinking or emptiness, as 1t is
called. The healthy action of all the
members of our frame depends upon the
supply of blood received from this central
fountain. When the hearts action Is ar
rested, the stomach, which requires from
it large supply Of blood, becomes en-
teebled. The brain, also waiting for the
blood, is inactive. The herat is very
willing member; but if it ne made to
fetch and carry incessantly-if it be "put
upon" as the unselfish mew Der of fami
ly often is, it undergoes disorgani-
cation which is equivalent to its
rupture. And this disorgsnization
begins too often nowadays IN the hearts
of very young children. Parents know
that if their sons are to succeed at any of
those competitive examinations which
have now become so exigent, nigh pres
sure is employed. Hence young persons
are stimulated to o7erwork by rewards
and punishments. The sight OF a clever
boy who is being trained for competition
is truly a sad one. The preco-
cious, coached up children are never we'll.
Their mental excitement keeps up a flush
which, like the excitement caused by
strong drink in older children, looks like
health, but it, has no relation to it, in
word, the intemperance of education is
over-stralning and breaking their young
hearts. If in the school-room some hearts
are broken from mental strain, in the
play ground and in the gymnasium others
succumb to PHI sical strain. at is no OBJ
ject of mine,' says DR.. Richardson, ito
underrate the advantages of physical ex-
ercises for the young; bat can scarcely
overrate the danger of those fierce COM
petitive exercises which the world in gen.
eral seems determined to applaud. had
the opportunity once in my life to live
near a great trainer, himself being a
champio rover. He was a patient of
mine, suffering from the very form of in
duced heart disease of which I am now
speaking, and he gave me ample means
of studying the conditions OF many of
those whom he trained both tor running
and rowing. / found occasion, certainly,
to admire the pysique to which his trained
men were brought; the strength of muscle
they attained, the force of their heart; but
the admiration was qualified by the stern
fact OF the result" But indeed it is not
by overwork so much as by the worry
and anxiety that our hearts are disorgan
lied. "Laborous mental exercise is
healthy, unless it b. made anxious by
necessary or unnecessary difficulties
Regular mental labor is best carried on
by Introducing into it som e variety. New
York gives time for repair better than
attempt at complete rest, since the active
mind finds it imp possible to evade its par
ticular work unless its activity be divert
ed into some new channel" Business
men wear out their hearts by acquiring
habits Of express-lrain haste which little
attention to method would render unnec
eSS8ry,