The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-31
Doctor Osborne Points Out the
Harmful Elements of Drugs
and Automobiles.
BRAINS At CONSTANT TENSION.
Declares "Easo-Motor Contrac-
ton Check" Newest Danger,
but German Scientist Dis
agrees With Him.
Z SPECIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington. May s0.-Doctor Oliver T.
Osborne's paper on The Strenuous Life
led to the conclusion that Americans live
at too fast a pace. This was admitted by
nearly all the doctors present at the Ameri-
can Medical Congress, but nobody had a
remedy to suggest.
Doctor Osborne said the strsnuousness Of
the life Of the average American business
man has a tendency to increase cardiac and
arterial weaknesses. and that another cause
Tor the many breakdowns Is the constantly
Increasing and reckless use of ~coal-tar
products for the relief of pain.
We hardly realize this daily tension and
the effect on our hearts unless We analyze
It" said Doctor Osborne, who comes from
New Haven. I'VE rise on time In the
morning, whether by an alarm clock or the
call Of a servant, or by habit, eat breakfast
and read the papers on time. a clock in
every room and a watch frequently in our
hand. We then, on time. meet office and
outside engagements, college appointments,
consultations. always and constantly care
fully predicting the amount Of time that
will be required and timing our next en-
gagement by this decision.
BUSY AMERICAN LIFE.
During the day We rush up long flights
Of stairs or a k elevators that 60 up with
a rush and stop with a plunge. If we drive,
either horse or automobile, our hearts stop,
jump and receive the vaso-motor contrac-
ton check, when, by the carelessness Of De-
destrians or bicyclists. we are suddenly
anxious lest we do them an injury. II we
are in a car or vehicle managed by some
needless shocks to our nervous systems and
hearts II we are ailing we slight natures
signal to relax and still keep up the pace.
ously I'll. we fight and wrestle with the dis
ease, whatever It may be. instead of calmly
Temporarily master Of ceremonies.
This describes the life of most Of the
men and women, of our rapid age and
1 might say. the young children. see too
much, do too much. are amused too
much. receive. too much. compete in
awake too much for the welfare Of their
nervous systems"
These are Doctor Osborne's ideas. Nearly
all the noted doctors at the congress CO.
incide. One who doesn't Is Professor Hans
kehr of Vienna.
PROFESSOR DIsAGREEs.
Tut. TUT" said Professor Hanskehr. 81
don't think this strenuous life of you Amer
leans is killing any one. 1 confess I like
the American way. The hurry, the hustle.
as you call 1t. does not, in my opinion. kill
men,. They are put here to work hard. II
you Americans work harder thai other peo-
pie. then you are fulfilling to a larger degree
idea of a strenuous life"
81 agree with Doctor Osborne" said Doc
tor Matthew D.: Mann of Buffalo,. one Of
the surgeons who attended President Nc.
kfnley after he was shot. II did not hear
the paper read. but the idea thai the Amer
leans drive themselves too fast is a correct
one. After the heart has been worn by the
strain given 1t by the life Of the American
Of great affairs. 1t is useless to expect drugs
to restore 1t.
The constant nervous shocks to which
Americans subject themselves have the
same effect as fast driving on a high-strunR
horse. Any owner or driver Will tell YOU
1t is not the distance the horse is driven.
but the speed at which he goes that does
the injury.
Americans could work longer hours with
out harming themselves half as much as
they do by their comparatively short hours.
complish everything their brains have been
able to think Of"