Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
THE BLUsHr1a HABIT.
Disease Of the Nerves-Unhappy Cases
Seen by Q Doctor

RAVm Inc ocOtSmAu.
At Vienna scientist and doctor who has
made an especial study Of blushing declares
that 1t Is a disease Of the nerves. He de-
clares that blushing should be trea.ed like
any other nervous disease. and that In
many cases it is hereditary. One Of his pa
TENTS Ia MANI told the doctor that the fear
Of blushing, kept alive by the jocular
taunts Of his friends. had caused him such
depression OF spirits that he had several
times been on the verge Of suicide.
Another patient Ia society woman) suf-
fered seriously from nervous pfostration
In consequence of the teasing of her
friends, who made her blush just "for the
fun OF it." A colleague told the doctor Of
one Of his patients who was driven mad by
blushing. Her mental condition was great
ly improved by her transfer from a cham
Der papered in red and furnished in mahog-
any to q green room with oak furniture.
This woman is again in society. but is
subject to occasional attacks of blushing
that affect her mentally at the sight OF
red dresses, red ribbons or anything In red.
He has discovered that those addicted to
blushing suffer less in summer than IN the
cold months, and that summer is the best
time of the year in which to be treated for
the annoying disease.
There are critical times, even In the warm
months, for the blusher. when thun-
derstorm Is in the air and In the damp or
the early morn and late at night persons
addicted to the habit blush most often and
most Violently" says the doctor, who dis
tinguishes between two kinds of blushing--
blushing caused by extraordinary sensi-
tiveness, extreme bashfulness or modesty,
and blushing because of the blushers APP
prehension Of the act of blushing. A GER
tain young woman, extremely pretty, was
driven to foreswear society because the
unfortunate affliction of blushing extended
to her beautiful neck and arms, and thus
prevented her from appearing In fuli dress.
This young woman suffers not only out
wardly, but she loses all self-control When
blushing. her thoughts are 'all mixed
up" and she cannot speak connectedly.
She underwent treatment for nervousness,
but the doctors could not help her.
Another singular case was that of a lead
ing actress, who consulted the doctor. she
had ruined her complexion, said he. by
excessive use of white grease paint applleu
to cover her bushes, which marred her
performance. She blushed whenever any
thing went wrong behind the scenes or on
the stage and had no control of her emo
tions. She is a very young woman; never
met with the trouble among actresses OF
mature years" The doctor says that
strong men do not blush except under ex-
traordinary circumstances; that blushing Is
truly mark of effemnacy. Blushlng men
are seldom cured, for they are often suffer-
ers from heart disease.
II have known blushing fits, so called.
said he. ito last for hours. accompanied by
irregular pulse and excited heart: To
blushing men and women with families L
say If you have boy OF girl who
bushes under a reproach, or for fear of
being found out, do not tell them of it,
for If you do you will arouse In them APP
prehensions. If the child has any steadi-
ness of mind. you will undermine It: If he
has no stamina. you will completely I'M
settle him. There are foolish people who
think their children are innocent so long
as they can blush. What nonsense"