The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-15
"AMERICAN DISEASE"

In the death of former Gov. Roswell p.
Flower many persons contend that another
illustration is affored in support of the as
sertion that Americans go through life under
too great nervous tension, forcing upon
themselves a mental strain that is in time
bound to affect the health, if not the life. Of
the individual. AS was aptly said by DR..
George F. Shrady recently, in discussing this
subject:
THE average American constantly burns
an electric light in his body above the eyes,
while the dynamo below, represented by his
nervous system is also kept going without
interim ;sion. TIL. result of this is that
sooner or later the electric light is bound to
go out, as a result of the dynamo not hav-
ing had time to rest and gain additional
power"
Dr. Shrady mentioned many names at
random as illustrative of his meaning that
the deaths of so many persons. particularly
in tire Unit ed States, are due to the fact
that they live at such high tension never
giving themselves an opportunity to obtain
mental rest. This condition is peculiar to
the American people, he declared and does
not exist to anything like an equal extent
among the inhabitants of other countries,
where the same break neck speed to amass
wealth, fame, business success, or whatever
may be the goal sought is not followed.
Neurasthenia is the term which has been
given to the complaint, which is known as
1.-The American disease and which 20 years
sons, who declared that it existed chiefly in
the imagination
The scientific discoveries and improve
ments which have taken place within the
last few years have done much to make the
disease more widespread and universal. DR..
Shrady asserted. The almost universal use
of the telephone, the telegraph and cleo
tricity in other forms, which tend to infiu-
ence people to think more rapidly, keep their
mind occupied more constantly. and add in
a general way to the intense strain on the
nerves and system and directly on the men
tai powers, is largely responsible for this
DIR. Shrady holds.
There is nothing more exciting than the
life in Wall street. he declared. The desire
for gain is so great in mans nature that
he will risk his health and his life in sat
isfying it, The worst of it is that those
who are engaged in Wall street speculation
pay no heed to the warnings which nature
gives that the danger line is being reached
The fatal ending which follows the strain
on the nervous system is SO insdiOus in its
approach. said DR.. Shrady. that the victim
pays no heed to it, or deludes himself with
the belief that the end is yet far OF.
He decides upon one more operation in
stocks, he has one more restless night, while
his brain is engaged in planning movement
in Wall street for the next day. but like a
flash the end comes He has forced nature
once too often and the end comes with
suddenness which shocks his friends. who
did not imagine that death was so near. or
that it came by reason of the increasing de-
mands made upon natures forces.
This result, DIR. Shrady said, is brought
about in different ways. Mental strain will
sometimes cause indigestion. The heart be-
comes affected, and there is a general in
clination toward disease, which increases
and attacks a man fatally when his system
is not in a proper condition to resist It.
II he supplements this condition by smok-
ing black cigars or by using liquor he helps
to weaken his constitution.-New Yorl
Herald.