The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-03

Scientific Analysis OF Otheiios ALI
Absorbing Passion.

Scientific Analysis or Othehos Ah'
Absorbing Passion.
That Othello's passion Is state OF ma
lady nobody doubts. IL the word maiady
means what makes one suffer.
For this reason it will perhaps be per-
mitted to a physician to write OF IT, after
so many philosophers, noveiists' people
In society. and writer's for the stages
pecIaIlv since. in our country at least.
ANALYSIS OF an evil seldom goes without
the hope OF finding remedy for u.
A novel by Daudet, full OF pity Tor hu-
man weakness: a comedy by Lemaitre.
wherein the miserable irresponsibility or
man is placed in relief make of Jealousy
an actual subject of conversation, but II
isn't I'm such cases AZ these that l nave
found the type OF malady which l have
often observed.
The word Jealous does not seem TO me
to have its old significance nor its fun
horror when it is applied 10 husband
whose wife quilted him for another per-
son: to a man who suffers in his self-love
publicly Inundated, or who grieves over
the absence OF person with whom ho
could not dispense
The truly Jealous person Is not the one
who knows. because TO know Is relief;
and, already, the hope to suffer less some
day. 10 live over a new era, whispers 10
US consoling phrases.
The jealous person is the one who
doubts; the one who shall never be COM
pletely discouraged nor treasured: IL is
the one whose mind IS ever disquiet, tor
turing itself and others. perpetually dis
trustful, seeking everywhere for pretexts
to feed his torment, and inventing pre-
texts rather than remain without any.
or ali modern novetsts. II is Bourget who
has best understood his malady-in
"Cosmopolis'' and I'm "Terre Promise"
This type of the Jealous person the ply
sicians for nervous people know well
Afflicted with a nervous Tnalady. most
often hereditary, needing a good treat
ment for some neurasthenia. he accuses
some painful love adventure for his trou-
bic. Like wine for those predestined to
alcoholism. love. which is the JOY OF LIFE
has been for him n poison. In moments
when his fixed idea quits him he realizes
that If he Is Jealous IL is not so much the
fault of the cOquette to whom his soul
is devoted as the fault of his brain. which
may not have confidence and considers
itself prosecuted
Let us study this patient. For our philo-
sophie curiosity. perhaps also for its re-
lief, let us try 10 understand him better.
AS is done for neuropaths, let us ascend
to the sources OF the evil
AT once we realize that this categorv Of
lovers belongs. in the great majority OF
cases, 10 the category of the depressed in
nervous system and Of the depressed m
nourishment
Doubtless he Is not always weak lie
has explosions OF anger moments OF pas
sion. which are powerful and terrible.
often they are only fires Of straw which
may lead one to murder; but they are
only brief and accidental reactions Of a
brain the basis of which is weak.
Considered attentively. the jealous man
IS not selfish one. He is modest one.
At the other pole of him Is the concerted
man This one is not jealous. TO fear
that he may be deceived, he IS too much
sure OF himself None could be preferred
rather than him. The melancholy lover,
on the contrary sees in every newcomer
q rival a thousand times more captivating
than himself. and the object. OF MS love
seems TO HIM to be a marvellous treasure,
so marvellous that men could think or
nothing else but to take her from him.
In this regard he seems to us 70 be touch
ing whereas the conceited man makes
us laugh Note once more how the pas
sions of men are sketches Of follies.
The fear of being duped, this power
Iessness to have faith. to have confidence,
these explosions Of savage suspicion and
revengeful anger-aren't they almost mad
ness Of persecution In the same way
is not conceit beatifc folly of grandeur
Let us pursue still further the medical
analysis of our love patient We SHAH
find almost always that one Of the causes
OF his depression is sentimental, intellec-
tual. or physical overwork.
1t is after n facilitating illness, after
violent emotion. after the loss OF great
friend after some painful disillus.on, that
the disastrous passion is born. Influenza
causes many lovers 20 become jealous;
the brain badly fed. the mind softened
end distended. are easily victims Of
aroorcus intoxication. l have on this sub
ject statistics which are singularly edify-
ing.
Another fact which may be obs rived
has a capital Importance a Jealous man
Is not always jealous with she same vio-