Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-04-06
NERVOUS NiLlDIES.

We have been much interested 10 the last
annual report OF the Adams Ncrvine Asylum
in RoXbury, Mass, made by its superntcnd-
ing physician, DR.. Frank W. Page, formerly
of Burlington aud Brandon. The institution
was established several wears ago, by Seth
Adams, wealthy Massachusetts merchant,
who had been in his later years n great suf-
ferer from nervous troubles, and by his will
left half million dollars for the benefit of
such INDECENT, debiitated, nervous people,
who are not insane inhabitants Of the com.
monwealih of Massachusetts, as may be in
need Of the benefit Of a curative institution"
The result has been the establishment Of a
humane institution such as perhaps has not
Its like elsewhere in the world. Ii occupies
some forty acres OF land in West koXhurY,
within the confines of Boston, on which are
spacious and convenient structures supplied
with ample remedial and hygienic appara-
tus and facilities. including costly cleo.
trical apparatus. 1t has been in full
operation for two or three years, with graft
flying results There were 149 applications
for admission to the asylum last year and 40
were admitted, afflicted with nervous ex-
hauston, mclancholia, hys,cria, and other
nervous disorders. Of these IA were free
patients, and the remainder paid from SO to
S25 week, according TO their pccuniary
ability. All were women, the managers
having us yet not been able to provide ac-
commodations for men. OF these 10 were
wives, widows, and 10 single women.
The larger number, as regards age, O5) were
from 30 to 40 years old the next highest
QO) were from 40 to so. Nineteen were
housewives; o were teachers and 10 had no
occupation The average time of their re-
manning in the institution was 81 days. In
10 months, 81 recovered; 4G were
relieved, and "a were discharged with
out relief. There were 80 in the institu-
ton at the date OF the report. DR.
Page says, in his repor, at has been assum-
ed, with some degree Of reason, that nervous
diseases exist chiefly among those who belong
to the higher and middle classes of society,
who are surrounded by every comfort aud
luxury, unocCupied, free from the RESPONSE
oh'N'o "a AiNi hHi consequently, btllSutt
sensitive and easily excited to mental emo
ton. But experience here finds nervous
conditions confined to no one class" On the |
contrary, those in a lower social scale, who,
from force of circumstances, are obligt d to |
earn their own living and aid in the support
of others, far out-numbe, such as might be |
classed with the above. Among the large
number of housewives, oyerwork, care, anx-
iety and sceplessucss incident to domestic |
Affections were the assigned causes of const- |
tutions shattered by nervous diseases 1t is |
the weary hearls-by the cares of life OPP
pressed, wandering in the shadows signing
for rest" and ovcrwcighted with home
burdens that are, after all, the most numer-
Gus class of nervous sufferers. Next to these
come the persons who have no occupation. |
Contrary to all expectation, but IA per cent
Of the asylum cases were teachers. But only |
in few cases, exceptional ones, was the
break down owing directly to Overwork 10
the school room. The real causes of ner-
vous prostration il teachers, the doctor says, |
are ''carc of dependent and invalid relatives,
overwork outside the school ROOM and anX-
iety attendant upon an Indifference and
want of attachment for the duties of the
school room" Honest teaching, he maintains,
like any other honest work, is actually con-
ducive of sound health. "Of those who had
no occupation, but one had been a student,
and she was IL college graduate Of nearly one
year standing. Having no work TO do seems
to lead this class into life of bodily AMI
mental inactivity, and, as an Out growth II
it, an intense susceptibility to be III, which,
when once established, is extremely difficult
of cure, because of the unwiingness to make
the mental effort to get well. or resolution,
which is so good protection against lassi
tude and fatigue, they have little or none,
AS rule, they have neither great yigor of
mind, strong will nor marked frmness of
character, and usually they get III sim
ply because 1t may be fashionable
to be so, or because they have but it,
tie or no strength Of will TO be well.
The chief causes Of nervous disease cited by
DR.. Page, are tower, as well as under, work,
care, and protracted anxiety of mind" and
he alludes to cases 10 which the unworthy
connivance OF friends has made such II state
of chronic invalidism possible, through false
and foolish pride which prevents them from
exercising "judicious, moral infringement
over the patients. lie quotes AS among the
sslutaiy results OF the asylum its "frccdom