The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-09
HOMEsICKSESS.
A Disease That In the Iutense Form Amicts
Other Races Than the AnRlo-Snxon.


From The Lancet.
There Is malady which boasts OF learned
appellation compounded OF two Greek words
but 3, hich is better known by a homelier and
far more expressive name in the vernacular
and yet although this binomial disorder Is de-
scribed in the dictionaries as A vehement de-
sire affecting the physical health" it
has not been assigned place in the Nomen-
ciature of Diseases for which the Royal College
OF Physicians Of London is responsible. The fact
too. that inconsistencies. II mpervlous to drugs
is nevertheless in the highest degree amena-
BILE to treatment might credibly seem to still
further Justify its inclusion in the official CLOS
sary OF the 1858 natural shocks that flesh Is
heir to. With regard to the etology Of this
unqualified complaint there still remain sew
eral points recurring calculation. albeit in It's
genesis no bacillus is concerned nor for its
adequate diagnosis Is there any need Of either
microscope or test tube.
Shortly stated the essential factor in the
production OF nostalgia Is an environment dif-
fering from that amidst which the affected per-
son passed his or her early days. When this is
the case some intangible Influence Is generated
which reacts upon the victim. but Just as hap
pens in many official maadies there must first
lie innate receptivity or preparedness OF soil on
the part OF the individual who succumos. This
receptive state Is favored BY at least three sep
arate thirgs-race. education and tempera-
ment-but OF these predisposing causes the last
possesses less power than either OF the others.
Ctrtpris pdribus. phlegmatic subjects are moro
likely to experience homesic kness than their
without sufficient cause undoubtedly suhserves
toward nostalgia. but ardent enthusiastic peo-
pie Tho continually look rorWpardaWho nsveF
advantage 1t be. OF remaining immune.
Education or rather the w want OF IT. is more
ton. which is equivalent to education being
distinctly in the direction q eosmopolitanlsm.
tons OF life under which human being exists.
il Al snSsr om his rys I'm russa ;1
instance. were to be. transported to the com
Parative paradise Of the Gilbert Islands in the
he would very ' y'f likely bewa his hard lot and
wilderness. and il in like manner Paeinc Gil,
bertian were to be promoted TO. say; Pail Mall
more desirable abode Of the two he also would
no doubt soon break HE heart ,, longing for the
But Of the three nredisponents race 1t Is
which is the strangest and most ineonsequon-
vary their manners and customs while abroad
toa less extent probably than people OF any
sha bss Thehr is ns
being in. existence who can appreciate the
charm Of hae S yS Isl than Es the
with 10. every corner of the world. He
loves his own native place beyond words.
but he can endure enforced exnatriatiou with
out giving in to nostalgia, The fact is he recoR-
Misses the futiity ot kicking against the nricks
OF his life or even, II the worst come to the
worst the whole Of IT,. For nostalgics we must
remain a ow-mnded crew whose mental
processes run In grooves. They may call their
failing by the high sounding name OF patriot
ism. but such II Is not.
Nostalgia is the cats complaint. purely self
ish disorder. whereas love OF country can
flourish anywhere and takes no account OF self
And so after all our masters In medicine are
perfectly right. Nostalgia Is righteously ex-
Saxon flesh Ia heir to.