The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-29
zoLA'S WORK CURE.
CLEVER EXPOSITION or A BRIGHT
FRENCH PHYSICIAN
vrsin work .. Remedy For nervous '
,.,d.-rhe Interesting and Impressive
Example ofvie<or Hugo-1he fh''0'0-
phy Of Lsber.

ErsmpIe Of victor Hugo-anc
ply Of Labor.
Anuding to 2ola's stirring discourse to
An. students, mr. kind colleague, NJ Bouia''
bss the amiaDility TO remind me that the
IDEA Of n mcthodical medical treatment py
work belongs 10 principle to me-
lam very proud Of his quoting me IN THIS
~,v INIT the idea OF work az normally help
mi would really not be sufficiently happy
and new discovery Il did not cndeavor to
,av more definitely in what way labor Is
heinf,l 10 orr human mechanism, to what
real want OF the mind IT corresponds and
under what conditions 1t would DC oehe-
fetal. :.
Medical men have neglected to write-at
least In popular terms-about the curious
psychology OF the brainworkers ana tnat OF
intelligent sluggsrds. Perhaps can by Oh
vesting this captivating problem OF it's IN
tyioate tecbnioaitiS, write<a few words
sbout Il that might be worthy the interest
~ moro than one OF our readers and make
them understand how profound. legitimate
and in harmony with psychology is the ad-
vice (appsronty somewhat trivial that
zola cives us-&be advice 10 work In order
20 forget suffering and doubt.
let us 10 this end picture 10 ourselves, In
most rudimentary simplicity, this nervous
systsm OF man, which the least agree 70 con-
slider az the incarnation of the SOUL, It's ma
terial form, 50 TO speak.
We can condense 1t 10 a few words-thus;
First, q central apparatus which represents
the brain, and then toe nerves, white hla-
nents that connect the least part OF our or
papiam with the brain center.
The nerves are nothing but the conduct
ing neutrality-suspicious. wires, one might
say.
Their function Is q twofold one: First, 70
conduct 10 the center the impressions born
nv contact with the outer world-this is
The mart Of the nerves called "sensitiye;"
and secondly. starting from the center, to
give 70 the different organs the order 70 act
and move. This Is the part OF the motor
nerves.
Almost every nerve centeris complex ana
serves double purpose--to transmit TO the
commanding power the impressions OF our
five senses. and then to carry the commands
of that power 10 the acting organ, the mus
cular cell, that unreasoning and most ODE
dent servant
As 70 the brain, this Is its function--to
receive, whether consciously or not, the I'M
pressions Of the senses and to give them
shape, from which springs the desire for
corresponding action.
II several impressions take shape at the
same time. the strongest, the most urgent
determines tho choice OF action. The will,
the soul, decide, and the gesture obeys.
Thus the sensation is transformed and
reflected in a voluntary act. The angle OF
this reflection is in the brain. In short, the
human organism In its noblest functions
can be reduced 20 this elementary image
the coming and returning of nervous vi
bration, receiver In the first part of its
passage and motor In thesecond. We re-
ceive sensations and change them into &C
tioDs All considered, the true definition
of this tine word "sensibility" can only be
''the CENTRIFUGAL nervous phenomenon" (oh,
what awful wordsD. the centrifugal phe-
nomenon representing action
We are therefore really but a machine in
regard 10 incessant exchange Except dur
ing tho hours OF sleep with the exterior
world. II gives TO ua, and we continually
give back. Tbs fupctions Of the nervous
system can comparatively be reduced sim
ply 10 psoblem Of pasnral mechanism.
The word mechanism" implies force,
and here we enter Into the heart of the sub
ject. Like an machines, the brain in activ-
ity uses heat-buxns com hustibles TO trans
form them into work and useful realiza-
tons Ono measures rather imperfectly
still, but oqe does measure the dynamic
variations Of this machine. Well, the COM
,bustibie n the brain, it's source of strength,
Is sensation The nervous vibration that
goes 10 the brain engenders the vibration
that leaves It. II our mind is capable OF
willing, Of oreating. Of producing, 1t is be-
cause it has been fed. often unconsciously,
by very intense sensasiops TO such point
that twho would thipk itD the most sensi-
tive are the strongest.
This is 60 contrary to common opinion
that might justify 1t somewhat.
To speak only OF intellectual work, let
us take Cor example Victor Hugo-none
could be more typical.
Judging from the splendor and enormity
of his works, he certainly was strong. It
appears from all that has been said Of
oil thoD who lived with him he seemed
somewhat Of adsmigod whom moral suffer
ing could not touch and who could not be
moved by the sorrows of the heart. This
seems disastrous to the theory which up
hold
On the contrary, II will sustain IL as soon
as we understand the meaning of the words
In the long life during which he lost so
many dear 70 him, the poet hardly ever had
any OF those moments of moral detection or
wept for himself What he lacked then
was the power to express in the ordinary
way human and individual emotions orthe
sensations which asssiled him. But these
sensations were not less intense. On the
contrary, bis sensitive nerves without ceas-
ing carried foods of this increasing centrip-
etal vibration which Is the true sensitive
ness. Only. understand me well, instead Of
changing them into feeling, weakness or
emotion Qto use the right word, he trans
formed them all Immediately into work and
literature Instead Of allowing himself to
be overwhelmed and tortured by these forces
Of senability which were so strong in him,
he carried them outside and continually re-
turned them under the form OF useful work.
Twice In bis Lire be suffered most cruel
blows--at VillcQuiet, where his daughter
was drowned, with her husband. a week
after their wedding. and on the I'd of De-
rember, when be was exiicd
What did he make out Of itf Very few
tears or personal agony, but two prodigious
works Of incompatible force of expression
--cne Of grief. the other of indignation.
The second volume OF "Contemplations."
which win make generations weep in his