The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23
ABOUT NERVOUSNESS.
Why Americans Can Not Justly De Called
Nervous People,


The term American nervousness"
has become almost proverbial. and it is
popular belief that the nervous tenn
permanent is characteristic of the inhabi-
tants OF the United States: that all our
affairs are conducted on tip. ''high-
pressure" system. and that our normal
state is one of the highest excite ment.
To this alleged state of affairs is Ittrib-
uted the numerous .'break-downs" and
cases Of nervous prostration and in
sanity so frequently reported. Like
many other generally accepted beliefs,
we think there is but little actual foun-
datiOn in fact for such ali idea. Tho
average American is well fed. warmly
clothed. and properly cared for in every
way. His average weight and size are
fully equal TO those of his transatlantic
brother; and the tall, sallow. lean and
excita5ie individual supposed to repre-
sent the typical American. like the con-
ventional Yankee or Irishman. is only
to be found between the covers of
novels or in dramatic representations.
Let any one make 4 mental review of
his acquaintances, and we venture to
predict that the number Of those who
can fairly be considered rs nervous"
will be very small. One meets as many
persons in England or Germany
who answer to this american"
type as in our own country
We have watched the proceedings
OF the stock exchanges both in Berlin
and New York, and can bear evidence
to the fact that the supposed Stolid and
quiet Germans attain degree of excite
ment In their business dealings which
Is far beyond that exhibited by their
American brethren. The dryer and
more eXhllarating climate. and the So
cial and political conditions of this
country are more favorable to business
activity and industrial enterprises than
Is the ease in European countries: but
the nervous temperament is not depend
ent upon these conditions at all, but
TO causes which prevail in all parts of
the world. The immense systems If
transportation, and the enormous lacr-
camille and industrial operations carried
on IN this country, could not be man.
aged by nervous men. or by any but
those in the most perfect and robust
health. 1t is a significant fact that the
class of functional nervous diseases to
which the late Dr.. Beard applied .he
term ''neurasthcHia," were first spe-
cially studied and prescribed by Ger
man physicians. The Germans have
been generally considered rs being any
thing but nervous race, but the same
trouble which is popularity considered
rs peculiarly American one occurs
among them as we'll as ourselves. We
can not then. come 10 any other con-
clusiOn than that the Americans, as n
people, have rs strong nerves and as
vigorous constitutions as anv nation on
earth. With the general adoption of
modern comforts ami conveniences. and
the better sanitary conditions under
which we live, the death-rate is con-
stantly diminishing, and the average
length of life increasing; and there is
no reason why we should not claim for
ourselves as much superiority in health
and strength "a we are accustomed TO
do in business and political enterprise
and sagacitv.-POpuiGr Science NetcS.