The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-05-03
BRAIN OvERWORK.
Using UP and Living on Brain Capt.
tai Means Brain Bankruptcy.
lDr w Hammond in YnlIth,s Com.

Gak Means Hraan bankruptcy.
fDr. w. A. Hammond in Youths Com
panion.l
Not long ago a gentleman in state
of great excitement came into my con-
sulting room. His face was flushed,
his eyes staring wildly, his speech was
jerky, and so indistinct that could
with difficulty understand him. l
begged him to be seated, but he strode
several times up and down the floor
before he could sufficiently command
himself to sit down and tell me coher-
emily the object of his visit
Doctor" he said, at last, "for Gods
sake put me to sleep. have not closed
my eyes in sleep for five nights. and if
/ have to pass another night like the
last shall go mad. Night after night
have gone to bed weary and, oh, 30
sleepy! but the moment my head
touches the pillow am wide awake.
and all night long my mind is just as
active as in the day. When I get up
in the morning, my head is aching, my
thoughts confused, and / am utterly
unfit to go to my business. Now, if [
could get one nights sound sleep, /
could make 100000 before the week is
out. Can you give it to me?
Yes, upon one condition.
ooh, I'll do anything you want Tn
not afraid of medicine. You see," he
went on in an excited manner, "Tve got
hold of good thing. I've followed it
up and have almost settled the whole
matter, but my mind Is In such state
from want of sleep, that I can't work
it as I used to. Why, I can't even add
up column of figures correctly"
*You do great deal of brain work,
suppose?"
"Ihere isn't man in Wall street
that can beat me when I'm at my best.
"How long have you suffered from
want of sleep?"
We'll, as I have said, for five
nights I have not slept a wink,
but then have had more or less head
ache and wakefulness for a year or
more"
Anything else?7
Nothing, except dyspepsia and pal
pitation of the heart, but I don't mind
them. want my head set right, and
I want sleep"
And you are perfectly willing to do
exactly as advise?"
"Good heavens! I'll do anything to
get right again.
I examined him, and wrote him pre-
scription.
But this is not ALL" I said, as he
folded up the paper and was about
leaving the room, mot by any means
the most important part of your treat
is no more sensible to overwork a sore
brain than it is to walk too much on q
sore foot. You must go away. and at
once Get out of the city to the noun
tains, where letters and kilograms will
not reach you; take a gun or a fishing
rod with you, and stay away month. "
"This is simply impossible he e1-
claimed. "If did that, should not
make my 100000. | am willing to
take your medicine, but as to breaking
off in the abrupt way you speak of, it
is out of the question.
Nov, my friend" I said, speaking
slowly and deliberately, SO that he
should understand and appreciate every
word, II thought just now Chat you
were sensible man; I find, however,
/
perhaps, none of my business to argue
the matter with you. You came for my
advice, and you have gotit. But I feel
compelled to tell you not only for your
own sake, but that of your wife and
children, that if you keep on in your
present course, you will be in lunatic
asylum before the week is out"
| "You surely don't mean that!"
IT mean every word of it. You,
brain is now in state of extreme CON
| gestion. You are using it up faster
than you make it. You are living on
your brain capital instead of your in
come, and as financial man, you know
that means brain bankruptcy some time
or other. Night and day you are CON
suming your mental forces. You can
not sleep because your brain blood
vessels are gorged with blood, and
recuperation. IT is a mere question O.
time, and short time at that. / de
not think you can stand it weel
longer, for you are on the verge of ar
attack of acute mania. You profess t.
have common sense. Suppose you wer,
a surgeon and man came to you Will
burnt hand-you gave him salve tt
put on it, and straightway the mai
plunged his hand into the fire again
Would you expect the salve to do hin
any good? If you have quite made III
your mind-the little that is yet left t
you-to keep on in the attempt to sue
ceed in your speculation, strainint
your mind to its utmost and deprivins
yourself of sleep, tell you frankly t.
save yourself the annoyance of taking
the medicine prescribed, for it will d.
!, you no good"
He then looked at me stolidly for
moment, then started to his feet, ram
med his hands deep into his trousers
pockets, and paced the floor rapidly TO
couple of minutes. "I'll CO." he ex
claimed at last, eff it makes begga
of me!7 and without another word b
left the house.
He did go, remained about mont
! in the Adirondacks, and returned
wiser and better man. He slept ever
3 night after leaving the city, and thoug
!, he did not make the particular 500
900 for which he was struggling, b
has made many more since by using hi
brain properly and giving it its prope
periods of relaxation and repose.
Figs AMI sneeTs.
Chicago Herald.
Moscheles relates droll blunder b
! made when at dinner in London. "Ts
day was asked at dessert what fru
I would have of those on the table
"Some sneers," I replied. The con
pany were at first surprised, and the
!, burst into laughter. perceiyinQ the prt