Evening star., 1902-03-08
NERVES BETRAY MEN
AN INFIRMITY TO WHICH MANY
ACCIDENTS ARE DUE.
Victims Of the Malady Cannot Meet
ergencies-IncapabIe Of
Great EXertion.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The managers of an eastern railroad re-
port singular case OF accident occurring
on their line, the engineer of a train run
ming past a danger signal in plain view,
seeing 1t clearly. and yet being, as he him
self expressed 1t, SO clustered" that he
was unable to act In time to prevent the
collision which followed When questioned
by the medical experts very shortly after
the accident, the man seemed to be in a
condition of nervous tension so great as to
threaten serious consequences to himself;
and, indeed, not long afterward he was the
victim of nervous collapse, from which,
at latest advices. he had not entirely recov-
cred. The officials ard medical authorities
of the road, in the light OF the information
furnished by this case, expressed the opin-
ion that many accidents with mysterious
anu hitherto unexplained features, might
possibly be due to causes similar, If not
Identical with those in this instance a
momentary suspension, perhaps paralysis,
or nervous energy. and consequent inabil-
lily TO act with the promptness demanded
BY the occasion.
Can't Act Quickly.
1t is quite likely the conclusion is cor
rect Every one knows the weakly ner-
vous person who, when confronted by cir
cumstances which require instant action is
utterly unable to meet the emergency and
even with the best intentions, is absolutely
incompetent to the physical exertion de-
hahded by the occasion. Such people are
cursed with what they call weak nerves."
they are startled at sudden or unexpected
sounds; they become easily fatiglled by
unusual eXertion, and quickly wearied at \
sedentary occupation, and are totally nm
Elted Tor any calling in which sudden
dratt Is likely to be made on muscular
mental or nervous force. They often be-
come indeed, the victims Of their nerves
anu pass py easy stages, from what Is
cailed nervousness to graver maladies in
VolVing the brain and nervous system. For
tunately for themselves, however. only In
q comparatively small number OF cases
does the infirInity proceed thus far Some
times. by a change OF SURROUNDINGS or hah-
It's, they return to a normal state Of health.
not fnfrequently throughout life they re-
mann weak. In semi-exhausted condition
misery to themselves and q source Of
annoyance and Irritation to all with whom
they come In contact.
A Soldiers Fear.
Even to the strong however, as to the
engineer already mentioned, there some
times come moments when the nervous
system seems utterly to fail In the per-
1ormance OF Its functions, and this fact
may perhaps account not only for railroad
accidents, but also for Incidents inexpn
caole at the time to every beholder At
the battle OF Balaklava young lieutenant
In British regiment was seized with sud
den fear at the moment when the charge
was ordered. He refused to advance and
threw himself upon the ground In a par
oxysm OF fright. The occurrence was in
stantly reported to the colonel, who CON
temptuously order the men to kick aim
up The unfortunate man was strfpned
OF his arms and uniform and sent on boa I'd
q man-o1-War to await a court martial
He would have been shot had there been
any danger Of the spread OF such an ex
ample, but as there was none he was sim
ply cashiered. drummed out Of the camp
ana, ana sent home In disgrace. The incident
blighted his life, for on his return to Eng
land ne was ostracised by all his former
associates When he knocked at the door
OF his fathers home his mother sent him
more merciful. granted him a small allow.
ance. with the bitter message that he
would confer a favor on the family If he
would go somewhere and quietly hang him
SELF like dog. He took his fathers money
but not the advice, though eventually his
death was that Of a suicide from drink.
Paralysis Of Mind.
This man was not by nature a coward
He had been in battle before and had ac-
Quilted himself creditably where winged
death was flying on every side He was
simply the victim Of his nerves, which
failed at critical moment and placed
him In such condition that even the con-
temptuous laughter and jeers Of the SOL
diers under his command availed naught
to overcome the fright which paralyzed
every faculty OF mind and body Men
have not. however. yet reached the point
when cowardly act can be excused by
an alleged failure Of the nervous system
to perform its functions 1t Is more than
likely that such an excuse will never be
received from derelict soldiers. 1t is per-
haps. as well that 1t should not be. for II
there Is any calling on earth In which q
dilapidated nervous system Is ruinous
alike to effectiveness and reputation it is
the profession Of arms. Yet 1t is quite pos
sible that more than one unexplained dis
causes similar to those which made q mo-
mentary coward Of the young lieutenant
Dali II