Daily camera., 1900-01-05
A SELFISH DISEASE.
Homesickness e Pronounced by
Physicians a Cats Disease
Yi~4iAs Of This AmictioA Receive
But S0aAt Sympathy from
Anyone Of Those Who
Are InmuAO.


learned appellation compounded Of two
Greek words, but which is better known
by homelier and far more expressive
name in the vernacular, and yet, ale
though this binominal disorder is de-
scribed in the dictionaries as "a vehe-
ment desire +*s affecting the physic-
al health" it has not been assigned to a
place in the nomenclature of diseases
for which the Royal College of Physi-
clans of London is responsible. The
fact, too, that homesickness, if impervi-
Gus to drugs, is, nevertheless, in the
highest degree amenable to treatment,
might credibly seem to still further
justify its inclusion in the official CLOS
sary of the 1,0S3 natural shocks that
flesh is heir to. With regard to the eti-
ology of this unqualified complaint
there still remain several points requir-
ing elucidation, albeit in its genesis no
bacillus is concerned, nor for its ade-
quate diagnosis is there any need of
either microscope or test tubes.
Shortly stated, the essential factor in
the production of nostalgia is an en-
vironment differing from that amid
which the affected person passed his or
her early days, When this is the case
some intangible influence is generated
which reacts upon the victim, but, just
as happens in many official maladies,
there must first be innate receptivity
or preparedness OF soil on the part of
the individual who succumbs.
A tendency to despond without suf-
ticient cause undoubtedly subserves to-
ward nostalgia, but ardent, enthusias-
tic people, who continually look for
ward-who never are, but always ap-
pear to be, blessed-have the advantage,
if advantage it be, of remaining i'm
mune. Education, or, rather, the want
of it, is more potent than temperament,
the trend ofcivilization, which is equiv
alent to education, being distinctly in
the direction OF fcosmopohtanism. The
deeper the ignorance the ruder the con-
ditions of life under which a human be-
ing exists, the greater the probability
when exposed to it's influence Of his ac-
quiring nostalgia.
If Gilbert islander from Terre del
Fuego, for instance, were to be trans
ported to the comparative paradise of
the Gilbert islands in the Pacific ocean,
which have been described as "a cluster
of pearls hung upon the equator" he
would very likely bewail his hard lot
and pine for his own inclement and in
hospitable wilderness. and if, in like
manner, Pacific Gilbertian were to be
promoted to, say, Pail MaIl-which,
without wishing to speak disrespect-
fully of the equator, we maintain to be
the more desirable of the two-he also
would no doubt soon break his heart
longing for the delights of his swelter-
ing hut in Micronesia.
Anglo-Saxons and their Celtic breth-
rem vary their manners and customs
while abroad to less extent probably
than people of any other nationality,
and yet in spite Of this they make the
best colonists. To the Celtic Anglo
Saxon athe word home is full of the
tenderest and sweetest meaning; in
no other language is there term that
fully corresponds with it in breadth
and depth of Specification. Take the
French chez-soi, for example. How mar
row in comparison, how unutterably
selfsh--centering the whole interest in
the individual, whereas "home" implies
the Importance of others as well. The
expression ''aEsolitary home is some
times used. but the user must be either
thoughtless or an ignoramus, if not
both. Such an anomaly asa solitary
home is impossible; it becomes q den, il,
not prison. s'Be it ever 80 humble,
there's no place like home," and assur-
edly whoever breaks up one wi1fully is
guilty OF an unpardonable sin.-Lon-
don Lancet.