Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-07-15
NsFTsas Depression.

Strange details 81 nervous impress
| sioas could be gsven By sufferers and
those who have received their eon6-
dences. A lady assured - that she .
one time used constantly to hurry past
high wall or building. lest il should
fall upon her,. Another, That she would
stand trembling with her hand upon her
schooI-roOm door. summoning al her
resolution to sustain her in the effort 70
90 10 to give her pupils their ordinary
lessons. And the prospect OF . journey
even though short, has been most form
liable, indeed terrible, 10 persons u
this condition.
Approximations Of all kinds are com
mon symptoms, from groundless alarms
"a robbers in The night 10 forebodings of
every possible disaster 10 body or mind.
And these are sometimes accompanied
by sensations or affections which are
merely physical, such IS giddiness,
nausea, trembling. or palpitation. Tie
victims constantly complain that life j.
a burden. Now, The first thing for ner-
vous sufferers 10 do is 10 accept two
iacts-frst, that their complaint is cur
able, and second, that the chief part Of
The cure rests with themselves. II
they fgiye way, and "giye up" they
may 90 from bad to worse. IL they
will strive resolutely and take proper
means they may live to smile at their
past troubles.
First Of all, there - very often an
undue strain upon the system which
ought TO be, lightened. We speak now
of workers. and especially OF brain
workers. The human machine is like
clock; il requires weights to keep il
going. But in these days the weights
are often too large and heavy, and strain
the machinery. In cases of nervous
depression. they may need to be re-
duced by perhaps tour or short trip,
according TO circumstances; asea breeze,
blow of mountain-alr, glimpse at the
Rhine and Switzerland. and back again
10 moderate work. 4.
RI the occupation followed be IN
healthy or TOO exciting, change of
pursuit may be imperative. But to re-
lease the sufferer from all duties would
be cruel kindness; idleness is very
hotbed for morbid growths of every
kind. Residence. too, is point not to
be lost sight Of; low-lying, damp To-
cality is, Of course, unfavorable. So is
one with very gloomy surroundings or
associations. The spring j. often . try
ing season 10 those who are not strong,
and especially to sufferers from nervous
depression; they ind their painful SEN
sations strangely aggravated without any
apparent cause, and are sometimes
ready to conclude the worst. II Is well
for them at such tlmesto remember the
old saw. Frightened is half killed."
and 10 reassure themselves by the sim
pie fact that they. are but feeling acute
liz what others also feel, though in les
ser degree. 1a
An unhealthy or too sedentary occu-
patton contributes 10 nervous depres-
sion, and IL II cannot be exchanged for
a better. should be varied and relieved
as far as possible. There is constant
ly, indeed usually, some weakness OF
digestion, requiring care in The diet, for
lyspepsia Is often almost the sole orr
gin if not the whole Of the complaint.
The use of suitable tonic is generally
desirable; oiten very simple one is
preferable--quinine and iron, or some
such mild aids to appetite and assImila-
ton. Some medical men prefer pep
sine and similar preparations; others
use strychnia, phosphorus, zinc. and
various formidable drugs. Only, what
ever medicine is used, let it be pre-
scribed by qualified practitioner, and
the ablest yo1 know, Above all, no
quacks. -
Fresh air, cold water, and plenty OF
exercise willdo The nervously depressed
more good than physic. The exercise.
however. should mol be violent; and the
cold-waler treatment should be moder-
ate and RATIONALE planges and other
shocks are most undesirable. Spong-
ing and brisk washing and rubbing are
IA every way helpful.