The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-27
MOTORMANS MALADY
A New and Terrible Disorder Which
Hafles the Doctors.
NATURE CANNOT ENDURE 1T
Extraordinary Symptoms Describ-
ed I'm Detail and Illustrated by Ac-
tual Cases-No Remedy Known
Medical Congress to Discuss 1t.

Copyright 1896 by Bachelor. Johnson &
Bacheller.)
A new disease of an extraordinary
character has appeared In our cities.
1t has become a leading topic of dis
cussion in medical circles and how best
TO deal with IL is a puzzling and urgent
question; science and invention, unfor-
tunately. sometimes bring I'm new dan
gers faster than they provide new
remedies.
IL has been discovered that the occu-
pations of motormen and gripmen pro-
duce a malady of a distinct type, with
symptoms of a highly sensational or
der The characteristics of nearly all
the most serious nervous disorders are
plainly complex in its nature, appar-
emily originating in a complicated dis
order of the vital organs hitherto un-
recorded In medical annals. AS a con-
sequence, the orthodox treatment for
one set of symptoms would be decided
ly injurious in relation TO others no
less pronounced; thus the problem is
one of unusual difficulty and the doc
tors are at a loss. The disease cannot
be localized. Heart, brain, spine,
stomach and lungs are simultaneously
affected, the degree varying according
to the constitutional strength of these
organs in the patient
1t was not until attention had been
drawn to the curious fact that in every
instance the subjects of this malady
were motormen or gripmen that any
clue for practical investigation was
obtained. Then the nervous stress
under which these men perform their
duties was noted, and was carefully
studied from pathological point OF
view.
At first, however, very few persons
were engaged in these perilous en-
pigments; so the matter was lightly
regarded and soon forgotten. But
since the extensive Introduction of
electric and cable systems in our larger
cities-the lines often running through.
the most crowded thoroughfares-the
cases of this most strange disorder be-
came so numerous as to arouse pro-
found interest on the part of the medi-
cal profession. Indeed, so rapid was
the increase that at a recent meeting
of the American Medical association
held in New York, IL was resolved to
make a thorough investigation with a
view to a positive method of treatment
for these unfortunate victims of mod
ern progress.
The results obtained have strongly
confirmed the first impressions. 1t Is
1.-THE pace that kills" The effects OF
this new nervous strain can only be
compared with the morbid conditions
brought about by the habitual and ex-
cessive use of drugs and stimulants;
but as the cause is a legitimate and
necessary occupation, IL cannot be
made amenable to police regulations
Though the motorman in the pursuit
of his calling may reduce himself to
state closely resembling that OF
drunkard or debauchee in the last
stages of his downward career, he is
guilty of no offense: he cannot be re-
strained from earning his bread, nor
can his employers be forbidden to avail
themselves of his services. There really
seems to be no help for him with our
present system of street railway loco
motion.
II the newly discovered disorder were
rapid in it's progress, the companies
would scarcely be able to man their
cars But it's action Is slow and insid-
ious. 1t seems to sap the vitality of
its victims on the installment plan,
and as the danger is not properly APP
preciated the places are easily filled
In the keen competition for employ
ment. 1t can hardly be doubted. how
ever, that when the vast number of
men now employed. most of whom
have not yet served long enough to be
seriously afflicted at length develop the
alarming symptoms of the malady, the
public will insist upon measures which
will revolutionize our methods of city
transformations which have already
. provoked unfavorable comment from
medical specialists In foreign coun-
tries.
Another revelation is the effect of
the occupation on the characters of
the men. Conclusive evidence shows
that the occupation indirectly encour-
ages inebriety and immortality by its
excessive excitement of the nervous
system.
The first symptoms observed are fire.
quent severe hearaches and exhaustion
after conclusion of the days work.
The subject feels a constant desire for
sleep. which is found to be Elusive II
put to test Next a condition of ex-
treme nervous irrftability supervenes.
The amount of sleep is gradually de-
creased and the appetite becomes
dainty and tickle. Finally the patient
finds himself unable to concentrate at
tention upon his work without ex-
treme effort: and whenever he relaxes
this control his actions become similar
TO those Of intoxicated persons, even
his speech being so disturbed as 10
resemble the characteristic stammer-
ing OF an inebriate. After few hours
rest these symptoms pass away, es-
pecially IL the subject be put to sleep
by the use of narcotics. Such an at
tack is. OF course. extremely weaken
ing.
At the stage of development in which
the most of these subjects are brought
to the hospitals, the most interesting
symptoms are as follows. the pupils
OF the eyes are unequally dilated and a
spasmodic action is noticeable Appa.
ritions appear: visions Of human beings
and Of all kinds OF small animals-such
as cats and dogs-in distress or dan
ger. These optical illusions are apt,
after a time. TO take the form of great
balls of light or zig-zag lines Of fire i'm
flaming. brilliant colors. exciting the
subjects until they fall into conNp sions
in some cases. This ends I'm a general
blurring Of the vision. During delirium
the patients mutter a wandering de-
scription of their visions as the illu-
sions come and go.
The heart is weak and the stomach
dyspeptic: the muscles and joints are
painful and drawn: the extremities be-