The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
HER SHATTERED NERVES.
A Nerve Specialist Discusses the Great
American Malady Among Women.

Philadelphia Press.
When an unfortunate woman in foreign
land comes down with what she decides is
nervous prostrat.on, the physician she calls
in will likely regard her with good deal
Of amused contempt. He is as apt as not
to call it a plain case of the American
disease" and go about it's treatment awk-
wardiy enough. Plainly, he does not believe
in nervous prostration, while his American
fellow-professonal gives ii the name of neu-
rasthenia, defines it as nerve exhaustion,
and admits it is peculiar to the natives OF
our States.
what is neurasthenia, of which one now
hears so much about, doctor?' / asked.
''Neurasthena, said the weli-known nerve
specialist, ''is hardly a distinct disease; doc
tors are inclined to regard it as condition
of the body that comes about gradually
and is caused mainly by the cruel exigencies
of our American civilization. We are even
coming to believe it an hereditary weakness
and women are particularly prone to Its
influences. through their more delicate nerv-
Gus organizations, their rather uncontrolled
imagihations.
.'The New England and Middle States -
he continued, show a preponderance OF
cases 1t has also been found that American
women, between the ages of eighteen and
twenty and between forty and fifty, are
Inconsistencies most willing subjects. Be-
fore eighteen and after fifty one rarely finds
a genuine example of what the foreign man
of medicine is apt to think a mere American
vagary."
'sThe workings in case of nervous pros
tration are many.
.sWeIl. in what we call neurasthenia, where
hypochondria plays nc. part. the first notice.
able symptom seems always to be gradual
decrease of general vigor, followed by an UNI
pleasant, moody languor, with an inclination
TO excessive anxiety, and fretful worry, over
even the minutest trif1es. Where the mental
depression is marked, AMI stupid, morbid
fears trouble the brain, the average woman
makes no effort to dissipate her melancholy
by increasing her diversions. The not over
strong highly-strung society girl merely re-
doubles her Fashionable duties to get rid OF
her blues, and the brain worker finds her
quickest relief in redoubed exertions over
Eat firs. the added exertion has a most
stimulating effect. but this is merely burning
the. candle in three places. instead of two,
and presently the spirits alternate between
most delightful periods Of exhiaration and
painful shocks Of historical tears There are
lengthening attacks OF suiky COON. when len
the temper grows imperious and sensitive:
Those trying phases are in The beginning
attributed to the ingrained perversity or the
feminine nature. An overtaxed housekeeper
scarcely stops to consider a little loss in ap-
petite and flesh, troublesome attacks of dys-
P Pepdach sne and desire when no special de-
mands are made on her time, to sit yawning
over the fire, warming her cold hands and
feet Added to these indications, insomnia
follows, with fearful bad dreams, disturb
ing the brief snatches of sleep.
ut is not, however. until a sharp attack
of vertigo or a shocking sort of mental in
competence alarms the patient that the ply
sician is consulted, and the collapse comes
Where 1t is possible the cure in a santa
case of neurasthenia, where 1t will require a
month or six weeks to so0the and partially
restore the distracted and depleted nerve
force. In such cases the rest-cure acts like
magic; the patient is treated as though she
were recovering from an acute and exhaust
ing ailment.
and where the nervous disorder has not ar
rived at crisis the. rest cure at home can
be used with great benefit There a room
should be given the patient, which she has
never occupied before; one that is sunny and
quiet, and where she may be put comfort
ably TO bed.
ssThe attendant should be trained nurse.
who understands adjusting light and VEN
tilation, giving slight treatments of massage
and electricity, rubbing the body with brine
and alcohol, administering the food properly
and warding on intruders.'