Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-21

Autoist and chauffeur alike arc attacked by
the insdious dust but it is the latter who has to
bear the brunt of the nervous strain. There IS
story told of the visitor who was being shown
through private insane asylum. Coming to one
ward, the attendant explained, This IS where
we keep the insane chauffeurs"
But where are they?" asked the visitor, scan
ming the apparently empty room.
"They are under the beds examining the
springs
This is ludicrous, but there is kernel of truth
at the heart of the absurdity. Chauffeurs have
gone insane before now, and more will follow
that path as the speeding becomes more reck-
less.
The girl on the back seat exulting in the swift
fight of the machine, has notion of the nerv-
GUS strain endured by her chauffeur. Through
the flying dust he must see clearly, amid the con-
fusion of passing objects he must steer unsweTv-
ingy. Going at such breakneck speed, the slight
est error in decision means disaster and probably
death. The chauffeur is generally allowed to take
every chance. He makes clean shaves, swoops
around corners, and thunders down dangerous
mountain roads. As long as he is successful, no
questions asked. But the chauffeur pays the
penalty for this confdence-on his shoulders
weighs heavy load of responsibility.
And the chauffeur, poor fellow, is but human.
To speed and to steer is his stock in trade In
his efforts to outshine his rivals he takes every
risk, while his hands tighten spasmodically on the
levers and his nerves tinge electrically "a fel-
low has to have pretty good grip on himself if
he wants to be a chauffeur" one of the brother
hood remarked. "And if he has ever been in
bad accident, it is all up with him. He will
never get back his nerve"
1t does not require an accident, however to
cause nervous breakdown. The nervous system
is too delicate to be forced to assume the rigdty
of iron. To work properly it must have constant
relaxation, and if this is not permitted it gives
way-and then even hnacy may be a resultant
The breakdown is not sudden as it seems; to
the prescient there are ample signs of warning.
Now and again a chauffeur will go to doctor
and explain that he is 'just nervous" A keen
eyed student of human nature reads in his face
the first signs OF nervous prostration. Or the
maady, even at first, may take a more painful
form. Neuritis in the arms-or, in fact, in any
part of the body-is about as painful an afhiction
as man can be called upon to endure. The
agony is almost beyond bearing. 1t is treated by
means of scalding hot water bandages, and by
the new baking process but it sometimes lasts for
years with little alienation. In all cases the pa
tent must abandon some hurtful practice-the
violnst reluctantly lays away his bow, the pi-
anist closes her keyboard, and the chauffeur re-
linquishes his place on the machine
BY changing his occupation thus early in the
game, the chauffeur may be escaping a further
and terrible development of his nervous disorders
automobile paralysis Paralys ysis-that death in
life-is feared without exception by nearly all
Americans. Instinctivey, though dimly, we per-
haps see in it the manner of our own taking off
All around us men and women are being struck
down by it; some of them fatally, and these are
fortunate; some of them to linger on wrecks Of
their former selves, crippled in body and mind.
The first case of automobile paralysis in Ameri-
ca occurred several years ago. Strangely enough,
its victim was young man in the full tide of
youth and strength. His enthusiasm for his auto
took the form of a mania. From early morning
till late at night his hands were on the machine
levers. When the people of the country side saw
touring car fash by like streak of dust they
said with surety THAT is young c."
Young c. kept this up for year or more,
and seemed in the best of health. His color was