Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-08-15
( MENTAL ovERwoR
observations Cullcd from n Series OF -.
ports by Observation-Disclosures.


ports by school Teachers. y
Some interesting, though not novel,
observations on the symptoms OF
mental fatigue were discussed at a re-
,ent meeting of the ARCHAEOLOGICAL
Society. The result Of these inyestiga-
ions goes to prove that WEAKNESS OF
mind, the result of work, like other
'orms lof exhaustion, Is recognizable
lnder the two different, though related,
aspects OF irritability and incapacity.
Further, careful inquiry into the same
subject would probably show that here,
rs elsewhere, the former of these con-
litions is Introductory to the latter,
Ind is the natural sequel of that stage
II apparently successful overaction
which is seen when an organ, still
fully capable, is unduly stimulated.
The observations referred to were
culled from series of reports by
school, teachers, and included details
Of their own sensations as we'll as Of
the children under their care. Tho
signs of mental irritability were ap-
parent in sleeplessness and nervous
laughter; of fatigue, in sleepiness and
incapacity for task work. Lolling,
yawning and lanquid manner told
that the will was tagging. Headache
suggested overstrain in study combined
with defective ventilation, and perhaps
too sparing diet; while some curious
Facts bearing on. the causation of color
blindness and somnambulism were also
noted. Thus, in one case the blue
color perception was for time oblit-
Grated, and the sufferer from this de-
feet found herself painting ivy leaves a
bright orange; while in another q
student, having retired to rest on tho
eve of an examination, awoke at
his desk to find that he had
oeen busily engaged in drawing hui
norous cartoons relating to a former
conversation. Here we have an in
stance of cerebral irritation due to
overwork, which suggests a somewhat
close connection between dreaming
and somnambulism, and affords clue
to the physiology of the latter con-
dition.
Overwork, both mental and bodily,
is at once the most general and the
least regarded form of illness to which
We are liable in the present age. Do
what we may, it is next to impossible
to escape from it; but there is, at all
events, a certain satisfaction in being
able to recognize its features. We
must not fore get, however, that it is
also to a considerable extent pre-
ventable evil, and it is certainly a
matter for satisfaction that this
fact is not ignored by the re-
forming party in the legislature. Its
treatmentin individual cases requires
chiefly that due attention be paid to
the two great essentials of timely rest
and wholesome diet. Work, however
irksome, may, it is generally allowed,
be undertaken on q very liberal scale,
if otly it is not too continuous, but is
broken by timely and adequate inter.
walls of rest. The value of a plain and
liberal dietary is hardly less, and we
may take it as a maxim for the times
that SO long as appetite and sleep are
unimpaired, there is no dangerous de-
gree of overwork, and conversely, that
failure in either of these respects
should be regarded as a warning sig.
nal, to which attention should be paid
by relieving the strain of exertion.-
Lancet.