The Washington times., 1894-04-13
Sorrow and Disappoint-
ment as Diseases.

1t is claimed by some of the more advanced
of modern writers, says N. S. Stowell in the
Ledger, that excesses of all sorts are produced
by a morbid condition Of mind, brought about
by the presence of microbes in undue numbers.
From tuberculosis to temper, from murder to
melancholia, these theorists declare that
microbes are the cause Of all conditions any
the day will come when these people will be
found not so far from the right as scoffers
now profess to believe. Those who dive deep
into the hidden mysteries of existence find
many quaint and curious things not seen
by average eyes. There is an invisible,
intangible. mental as well as material
microscope, and they who understand its
handling and adjustment learn much OF in
terest, much that is suppressed because OF the
storm OF ridicule that it would provoke, and
which for this reason they care nothing about
exhibiting to the outer world.
1t is no secret to many persons OF extreme
temperament that thought microbe can be
so increased and multiplied that it dominates
not only the entire mental but physical sys-
TEN. There are cases where the memory
takes possession Of the individual: a sudden
flash lights the fire of thought; q suggestion
are right for an absolute overwhelming OF the
entire being with this living tide. And many
doctors would al once diagnose the malady
as malaria. nervous fever, depression of the
vital forces, or in some cases Inflammation OF
the brain. This state of affairs, simple
enough at the outset and characterized by a
little fever 4 slightly accelerated pulse, 4
trifiing flush of the cheeks and like indica-
tions increase with rapidity until the sufferer
is in condition bordering on mental distrac-
ton. The doctor comes in, prescribes
draughts and a few regimen, reduces the
diet. orders cooling applications and goes
away much worried lest the patient runs into
brain fever or some new complaint with an
unpronounceable name and fatal termina-
ton.
Had this professional adviser OF the sick
and suffering the power to use the mental
microscope. it would take him but short
time to discover that the malady was not in
any sense physical or dependent upon any OF
the bodily functions. He would find hordes
OF bacilli. disappointment microbes. unsatis-
fed ambition germs infin'tesimal in them
selves, but in the aggregate forming an
immense army OF devouring adversaries
slowly consuming the life forces OF their help
less victims. Just what they feed upon no
one has as yet been able to determine; Dut
that they speedily sap the vital forces, those
who have suffered in this way know but
TOO We'll, although tiieS uds AOl AAoW tno
cause.
If, instead of morphia. tonics. and anti
malarials and anodynes. they could take the
suffering one from present environments,
start a new train of thoughts. awaken other
interests stronger for the moment than the
invading forces, and bring back the departed
delights or some that would to an extent fill
their place. the dealing out of drugs would
be superseded by an entirely different form of
practice.
But the day of this enlightenment has not
yet come Maybe in the far off hereafter our
doctors will be philosophers as well. and in
stead of combining themselves strictly to the
material, they will search for the hidden
sources of the sorrow and care that more
than any other cause destroys the best and
brightest members of the human family.