The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-08-25

volved. | have seen two cases where
the nervous system was so affected
that the gait or carriage was material
~ changed. Both of these we're from
purely ~hysterical causes. Neither of
these persons was injured externally
in the least, but after the storm they
walked with bent back, a dragging leg
and much trembling.
In many instances insomnia was
the constant attendant of the other
maladies. The loss of memory was not
infrequent. This was undoubtedly due
to the weakened condition of the brain
incidental to the fear caused by the
tornado. However, it is we'll known
that the memory exists in such cases
to an extent sufficient to permit the
sufferer to give dates and incidents
concerning the accident, but there is
always a plain inability to concentrate
the attention on any other subject;
hence their conversation is not only
hating. but sometimes they refuse t.
talk at all.
1T is a we'll demonstrated fact that
contributed elements of modern civil
u alton generate mental conditions
with full force and effect; that the ex
cessive Use of narcotics and etimulente
and the lack Of proper exercise, high
living and the consequent absorption
Of organic poisons in tainted foods al.
tend in the direction of by sierra. Over
work and fatigue are also powerfut
causes. While it is an accepted idee
among the laity that women only have
b ysteria, yet is a well established fac,
that many men are sufferers from the
same trouble.
"a prominent doctor told me thai
when the storm came he was at clinic
directly opposite the City hospital. H.
saw the hospital building wrecked ano
then started for home as fast as he
could go. After much difficulty he
reached his own street and expected to
find his home in ruins and perhaps hik
family dead. He found his house anG
his friends safe, but when he was wei
coined home he was unable to speak
and burst into tears. He says he hae
not entirely recovered from the shock.
Thousands of similar instances could
be related. I know it to be a fact that
the doctors in the southern portion of
the city have prescribed for an unusual
number of vague and indefinite pains,
all of which might be attributed by the
patients to bllliOusness, but which are
plainly due to the effects of the nerv-
Gus shock. The tornado produced men
tai wounds, which have been manifest
ed in the various conditions, as shown
in hysteria and neurasthenia.
In many cases of persons who have
been afflicted ever since the tornado
there is not a single disease of the part
involved, the disease being entirely in
the mind Some of these shocks may
be so violent as to lead to insanity and
further complications which may
terminate in death. The papers have
already recorded two cases of suicide
! plainly produced in consequence of
mental arrangement incidental to the
tornado. I have records of four cases
which occurred on account of extreme
fright engendered under these cond
tlOns. However, the old, old sayiOt
that it's i'll wind that blows no ma
good is even true of the tornado. !
have records of several cases wher,
%bedridden individuals, who had no
been able to move about for years.
were so frightened that they were able
to get out of bed and have since moveO
about, enjoying ali the muscular tunc
tiOns.
when the matter is fully anC
thoroughly considered, these facts viii
not seem strange. These results hav,
always obtained under similar cJndI
tions Or all the nations on earth tn.
French are the most emotional. Dun
ing the Franco Prussian war tn usaDd,
of people gathered in Paris to read b
large bulletin announcing a victory
over the Germans. Hundle eds of PEG
pie claimed to have read the bulletiL
while it was suspended from a pillar
and some even pointed to it, when IL
reality there was no bulletin there a.
all.
THE immediate effects of the lorna
do can now be seen IN many cases, but
its ultimate effects are as YET an IN
known quantity. I candidly believe
that the full effects are nog yet mani
fest. Psychic shock, trauma, exposure
and fatigue will be produc i've OF many