The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-15
TROUBLES OF ACTIVE BEAMS.
A Physicians Talk, Suggested by the Recent
Sudden Deaths of Prominent Men.

1.-THE sudden death, within the last few days,
of two of the most eminent men in the country
from affections of the brain," said well-known
physician, yesterday. to Journal reporter
'has had more effect in directing serious consid-
Grafton to the excessive mental activity of the
American people than ali of the many volumes
that have been written on the subject When
Herbert Spencer was here, two or three years
ago. he said that the persistent activity Of the
American people had reached an extreme from
which there must begin a counterchange 1t
looks az if this reaction had already begun. Jay
Gould seems to have reached the conclusion
that the only way to escape the fate
which has just befallen his great rival
was to retire from business The human mind
is mechanism with we'll defined limitations of
activity and not until this fact is properly ap
preciated will the number of sufferers from in
somnia diminish. Just as long as the strain is
maintained sudden collapses of the mental func-
tons will continue to occur. It is no exaggera-
ton to say that at least one out of every ten
men in active business Is troubled with insom-
MIA. This disease is the result of excessive
mental exertion and emotional disturbances,
superinduced by anxiety and heavy re-
sponsibility. The ravages Of the disease
are rapidly increasing. as competition
in all lines of business and in all
most obstinate forms of the disease is that
which results from desultory methods of think
ing, lack of concentration of the mental facul
ties, or rather this is a symptom. The victims
are unable to apply their minds to the matter
in hand and thoughts wholly foreign to the
subject under consideration are in their minds.
When the work Of the day is over they carry
their responsibilities to bed with them and
when healthful minds resting their intel
lectual functions are excessively active When
sleep comes it is not rest. and the dawning Of
day finds these persons in condition of COM
plete nervous prostration. Thus, from day to
day the ravages of the disease continue, under
mining the constitution and weakening the
brain force. The inevitable result is insanity or
sudden collapse such as ended the life of Vice
president Hendricks and millionaire Vanderbilt"
What are the remedies for this form of brain
disease2'
freshed by good supply Of blood. The best
means of superinducing sleep through the agen
cy of internal remedies is the use of bromides.
The sufferers from insomnia are troubled by a
variety of disagreeable mental symptoms. They
are easily irritated and depressed by
the ordinary annoyances and vexations of
life. They often conceive an unreasonable dread
o. society, and by degrees they fall into habit
of continual morbid introspection The morbid
physical conditions. causing this mental depres-
sion, must be treated by drugs which have an
influence on the mind Bromides have sooth
ing effect and they deaden the mental sensibili-
ty without any of the evil results attending the
use Of Choral opium or other injurious anaes-
thetics Bromide should be TAKEN not only be-
fore retiring. but during the day. beginning with
ten grains before breakfast, twety before dinner,
and thirty in the evening. The desired result is
obtained by the cumulative effect of the drug.
The internal remedies, however should
be accompanied by the use of ex-
ternal remedies. Often Turkish bath will
do mach toward breaking up insomnia, aud
sometimes cases which have resisted all other
kinds Of treatment will yield to it. There are
some people, on the other hand, who are unable
| to endure the high temperature and subsequent
reactive effects. but it usually may be borne
with good results by persons who are not troubled
with heart affections or bodily debility. The
best time to take the bath is in the afternoon.
and the patient should Immediately afterwards
| go to bed. Warm baths are also very beneficial
| When unable to sleep, however, persons who are
absolutely forced to work should eat frequently.
taking light nourishing food, which may be
! easily digested. aud quickly refresh the frame