Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-01
rnR nYeInNn on s0RRow.
To Act as If Nothing Had Happened is
Great Mistake.

To Act as IL Nothing Had Happened is a
Great Mistake.
The Medical Record OF October goth
says;
In recent issue of New York news
paper an article by DIR. Louise Fiskc
Bryson formulates some distinctly mod
ern views upon the views of grief. The
attempt to act Us If nothing had hap
pened after the advent of some mis-
fortune, and to conduct life exactly as
before, is one of the greatest possible
mistakes. 1t is an outrage on nature,
which she resents sharply in the end.
Payday comes sooner or later; and the
overthrow caused by binding catastro-
pho arrives, even if deferred.
The nervous system requires complete
rest after blows caused by sorrow. Re-
cent medical observations (Fere, Bassi,
Schulz, Zenker) show that the physical
results of depressing emotions are SINH
lar to those caused by bodily accidents,
fatigue, chill, partial starvation, and loss
Of blood. Birds, moles and dogs, which
apparently died in consequence of cap
ture, and from conditions that CORE
spond in human beings to acute nos
talgia and "broken heart" were ex-
amined after death as to the condition
of their internal organs. Nutrition OF
the tissues had been lnterfered with, and
the substance proper of various vital
organs had undergone the same kind Of
degeneration as that brought about by
phosphorus or the germs of infectious
disease. The poison of grief is more
than name. To urge work, study,
travel, the vain search for amusement, is
both useless and dangerous. For time
the whole organism is overthrown, and
temporary seclusion is imperative for
proper readiustment.
After some bereavement the custom
of wearing mourning has distinct
moral value. But its period OF use must
be brief; a few weeks, months, perhaps
year; otherwise dense black drapefies
become burden, an aesthetic blunder
and source of depression in themselves.
| For time they have a place, securing
| consideration from strangers and silence
from mere acquaintance, since sorrow
is one of the touches of nature that
makes the whole world kin.
When there is nearness OF relation
ship to nature, rambles in the open air,
| days alone with the sea, alone in the
forest, console as nothing else can.
| Quiet, silent drives, or even short jour
neys by rall, will reveal a new heaven
and new earth to one fatigued and
worn by sorrow. Music, when it can
be borne, has soothing power beyond
words. Books, too, have their place,
those gentle companions without speech
whose calm society helps annihilate
time and space, and who always receive
| us with the same kindness, The famil-
lar faces of newspapers and journals
bring ray of comfort that even the
tenderest heart is powerless to bestow.
The care and companicnship of children
is another source of strength. Children
are not watching to see how the afflicted
are bearing up under sorrow, nor are
they waiting for some expression of
sentiment or the overthrow of self-con-
troll. A child is always the best com
forter, uttering no word of sympathy,
yet rousing interest in life because its
nature is sweetness and light.
Grief cannot be ignored, neither can
it be cheered up. 1t must be accepted,
and allowed to wear itself away. Re
adjustment comes slowly. Sorrow
grief, and all great misfortunes should
be regarded as conditions similar to
acute infectious diseases, which they re.
semble IN result; and later, as GONZALES.
cence from such diseases. Seclusion
rest, sleep, appropriate food, fresh air
sunshine, interests that tax neither mind
nor body, these are requirements in this
class of illness. The care of the condi
ton following depressing emotion call,
! for the same treatment in greater or lesl
| dpurna