The record-union., 1894-12-22
HOW SORROW CAUSES DEATH.
A " Broken Heart" Regarded by Doc
tors as Worse Than Disease.
Its Physiology and Symptoms-Effect
of Great Grief and Disappointment
on the Nervous System.

ton for the purpose of exaggerating the
passions of their heroes and heroines.
But, according to high medical authority,
it is quite possible to die of grief, which
is more accurate way of saying ''broken
heart"
The ailment popularity known as "a
broken heart" has caused the death of a
great number of persons famous in his
tory. William Pitt. it is asserted, died of
broken heart as result of the failure of
his anti -Napoleonic policy.
Napoleon himself succumbed to similar
causes. His death was actually caused
by an internal complaint, but it is not
supposed it would have been fatal but for
the depression brought about by his de-
feat and exile. Horace Greeley's death,
there is little doubt, was due to disap-
pointment at his failure to be elected
President.
In a recent issue of the NedjcUJ Record
there was very suggestive editorial on
Grief, Emotion and Infection" 1t
stated that moral influences had been
considered capable of producing violent
physical illnesses Fear has been known
10 cause erysipeas. Laennec, the emil
nent French physician. believed that sor-
rows and annOyanceS were an important
factor IN Inducing tuberculosis i'll large
cities.
DR.. George T. Shrady, the editor of the
Medtcdt Record, went more into detail on
the subject Of this editorial for the benefit
OF WOrLd reporter who called on him,
and he gave the reporter references to
many sources OF interesting information.
GRIEF AND DEATH.
That grief prostrates and often causes
physical disease and death is fact estab-
liut,l Il
dence. Animals are also, IL appears, SUBJ
ject to influences OF this character.
Birds, moles and dog have succumbed
to conditions that correspond to nostal-
gia and broken heart in the human ami
NAL.
The bodies of these animals were sub
Jected TO pOSt-mOrtem examinations and
in most cases there was found hyperae-
mia, or excess of blood in the abdominal
organs, especially the liver. with bleed
ing aud fatty degeneration. Thus "a
broken hearp' would seem to be Il
trouble OF the abdominal organs rather
than of the traditional seat of the atfec-
tions.
The excess of blood, causing hemor-
rhages, is thought to be due to the de-
rangement Of the nervous system
through the shock or depression of the
brain. The blOod-veSsels are controlled
by two sets Of nerves, one to dilate them
brain center being disturbed, the con-
tracing nerves do not act and the blood
vessels are excessively dilated.
y simple theory of nerves accounts for
the paipItatlon OF the heart which we feel
under the influence of strong emotion.
One set of nerves guides the beating of
the heart and another restraints it. The
disturbance OF the brain center puts the
restraining nerves temporarily out OF
order and the heart beats with excessive
violence.
IF THE HEART Is WEAK.
Grief may cause death by injury to the
true physical heart, but that it is said, is
an uncommon case, and only possible
where there is serious organic disease of
the heart. The mental shock may cause
temporary suspension of nervous inn
pulse to the heart and thus bring about
death II the heart Is weak. 1t may also
disturb the nervous equilibrium and
cause the heart too great violence.
Grief or broken heart, does not often,
If ever, kill a thoroughly healthy person
But 1t has IN innumerable cases brought
disease to fatal issue, and it also makes
person more liable TO the assaults of
disease.
The liability to disease is the result of
a lowering of the general health. This
loss oil health, according to one eminent
physician, IS brought about by the in
ttuence OF the brain on the nervous sys-
tenn III this way. The grief or emotional
shock causes the activity of the brain to
be concentrated in one part. The rest of
the brain, on which most of the nerves
and the physical functions affected by
them depend, partly loses its force. Con-
sequently the nerves do not properly reg
ulate the circulation of the blood, and
the digestion and the general health are
injured.
Among the commonest physical symp-
toms OF grief are disinclination for food
and a chiilness of the eXtremities The
sufferers state of mind is perhaps enough
IN itself to make the gross act of eating
repugnant, but the impaired state of his
digestion is also partly responsible iOr
the repugnance. The coldness is of course
due to the disordered circulation.
HOMEsICKNEss.
Grief of this kind is hardly to be dis
tlnguished from nostalgia or homesick-
ness. This trouble is scoffed at by those
who have never felt 1t or who have for
gotten what it was like, but it is really
very serious. According TO DIR. Shrady, it
was one OF the greatest difficulties doctors
had to contend with during the war.
Young soldiers suffering from nostalgia
were peculiarly liable to disease. and
their chances OF recovery were greatly
diminished by the homesickness.
The condition of wounded men was
much more serious if the nostalgia was
strong on them. On the other hand, the
prospect OF returning home often did
more towards promoting recovery than
the best of medical attention.
Homeslckness in its acute form is de-
clared to be very painful. This seems
surprising, but is less so when you con-
slider that it is largely q nervous trouble.
A curious fact is that it frequently comes
on a person with great apparent sudden
ness, sometimes causing Il young man to
break down in tho midst OF a COMPANY
where he has been behaving with much
gayety.
GRIEF AND CoURA GE.
If the physical results of grief are
brought about by the concentration of
thought on the subject IL appears that
they can he avoided by maintaining a
meetal equilibrium. AS a matter of fact
there are persous who do not suffer from
grief, but they are probably nearer the
animals. and, like the birds, dogs and
moles, would suffer ii deprived of their
liberty.
Courageous persons are ordinarily those
with strong, well-regulated brains, good
nerves and good blood circulation. Too
much credit, therefore, is not to be given
to what is largely physical quality.
There have been unfortunates whose
minds approved the virtue OF courage
but whose deficient physical natures re-
volted from danger. OF such was the
great French King, Henry w., who had
to call himself Coward" and apply all
sorts of opprobrious epithets before he
could induce himself to go into battle.
The man with sorrow may aggrayate
his physical condition 10 any possible ex-
tent by an injudicious use OF his imapin-
alton. If he makes up his mind that he
is going to die of broken heart, there is
every reason TO believe that he can do so.
hn rrn1 nf fhn f.,HY