The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-04-18
LOSS OF MEMOltY.
The Best Method Of Preserving q
Valuable Faculty.

From Hsrper's BazM. M
Loss of memory in middle age is {
symptom that stJ Juld never be neglected
Or thought light OF. Remember, 1t may
point to incipient softening of the brain
and utter collapse or dementia. I do
not mean to frighten any reader, so I
purposely italiclze the may. What may
be, may not be, and vice versa. The
symptoms of loss of memory more often
than not are the result of over tiredness,
an undutiful kidney, or a liver that
wants seeing to. If, coupled with the
loss OF memory, there were occasional
attacks of swimming in the head, Sleep
incss, weakness of the sight, sensibly
diminishing capability for accustomed
work, fits Of irritsbility and lowness of
spirits the case would, to say at least of
It, look more serious.
Loss of memory in middle age is diff
ferent from that Of old age, so far as my
judgment goes. In the latter stage OF
lie there is q gradual, but to the
person himself not always noticeable,
decline Of the powers Of strength of
lnuscle,. eye.sight and hearing. For q
time at least the old man hardly misses
his retrcating memory, he lives more in
the past than for tho present, and has
recollectlons Of bygone time-efe the
'ablets of memory got hard and unim-
pressionable-though he with difficulty,
II at all can trace the events of yester-
day. A mcrcifll providence rules it
should be so and go. And. as said, it
ls the same with ,eyesight and hearing.
Is it Charles Lamb that tells the anec.
81 n n n nSntSs 4 4,
castle rockery and saying, s'It Is very
strange, but the crows be all gone from
vut there these many years: but I re-.
member the time they were thick
enough ay, and noisy enough too?" 1
always thought that q very delightful
anecdote. and sincerely hope that no
thoughtless being took the trouble to
undeceive the old man, tottering thus
oieasantIy on the graves brink, by tell.
ing him as he spoke the rook darkened
the air, aud made noise enough to
awaken the seven sleepers.
But the loss of memory that points to
disease or ailment Of some kind, in mid
die age is gene rally transient and peri.
odic. The patient can remember or re-
collect well enough sometimes, not go
we'll ut others; memory is brighter with
him of q morning, or after period OF
rest, than when working or when tired.
Some people while talking fail suddenly
for the luss of "a word-men who had
once been brilliant ntOrators-others while
writing suddenly stagger at the orth..
graphy Of word with which they are
really famili .r, or substitute one letter
of a similar sound for another, q sb" for
a"p" for instance, or I'D" for a "t.n
Either of the above may all at once for.
get the name of q per.en with whom
they are Intimately acquainted-yes, vi
their own cognomen.
Well, this loss Of memory in middle
aye should always be treated as y SO.
rious symptom, whether It be 80 or rot.
People who suffer theretrom should dc.
crease their hours of labor, work more
systematically, be careful to take rest
whenever they feel tired, relaxation
when the least low in spirits, abundant
exercise in the open air whether they
seem to need 1t or not. They should at
tend to the general health aud the regu-
larity of the system, Take q tonic-a
mild and nDn.constipating one-remem-
bering, however, that tonicS are danger
ous tools, and too often wolves in sheep's
clothing, or rstimulants in disguise. Tom.
perance should be obs eryed, and wine
most sparingly used. By observing such
rules as these. a failing memory may be
restored; then, and not till then, mne.
monies may be had recourse to, in or.
der to prevent q relapse.
Mnemonics should be to the memory
what good speclacies are to the eyes
preserystiye. -.