New-York tribune., 1906-07-15
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Worry, anxiety, grief and trouble induce more
cases of neurasthena than all the other causes put
together" says Dr. Graene M. Hammond the
specialist in diseases OF the brain and nerves, In
recent article in "Harper's Bazar." 1.-The woman
who spends days and nights in nursing some loved
one does not develop nervous exhaustion from the
physical fatigue consequent upon her unremittins
care, but from the mental strain due to the con-
tinuous anxiety she is forced to endure
Mental strain saws DR.. Hammond-the strain
endured by the woman who is forced to live With
a dissolute husband: the woman whose closet con-
tans a skeleton whose presence may at any time
be disclosed; the woman struggling 10 MAINTAIN
social position on inadequate means, these are the
things which thousands of women are facing to-
day and these are the conditions which slowly but
surely sap the nervous forces until state OF eN-
haustion fellows"
TO three different causes according to Dr. Ham
1lond are due the increase of neurasthenia among
both women and men of to-day. One cause Is the
complexty of life as It is lived now. Life to-day
carries more responsibilities, heavier burdens than
It used to years ago The gigantic enterprises OF
the present time, the close competition are
sapping the energy of most men and many women
The women who are not slaves to business are
confronted with tremendous social duties The hur-
lens of housekeeping and the rearing of children as
these things are done to-day, are businesses in
themselves entailing as much worry and anxiety
as most men endure in the prosecution OF their
businesses
Another cause. in the case Of some women. Is
their own folly The women who play bridge for
hours at a time keeping themselves in a state Of
excitement till the nervous centres are drained; the
wealthy women who lol in their carriages and
grow languid for lack of exercise; the women who
ruin their digestion by nibbling in fashionable
taurants at dishes which would "cause man 70
stand aghast if they set before hlm''-all
these come in for word of warning from DR..
Hammond eff you dance you must pay the piper
he says
But it is comfort to hear that the-nervous trou-
bes rife to-day not entirely due to the faults
of this generation. Probably the most powerful
predisposing influence causing neurasthenia to-
day DR.. Hammond remarks. lis the weak and
unstable nervous system which many Of us have
inherited from forefathers. Through no fault
of own, but through the faults OF omission and
commission OF our parents, and of those who pre-
Ceded them. come into the world with perhaps
great bodily vgor: but with deteriorated and
things he adds mot with the view of casting re-
fectiOnS any of prOgenitorS but because
are. will become ancestors ourselves, and
It behoOVes US to so direct our lives that those who
come after may remember kindly
And what remedy does Dr. Hammond suggest for
neurasthenia? His advice is addressed to women,
though almost many men, he says suffer from
the disease. If il is serious the sufferer should
consult a specialist of course, but in its milder
stages the patient may treat herself. Above ALL
the original trouble or worry to which the break
is not possible the victim must school herself
not to care" Cheerful society is good, and
sona theatregoing. if the play is light one; but
not churchgoing. Going to church almost al
Is imperative. but not the sleep induced by mar
cotcs against the use of which DR.. Hammond Is
emphatic "Tranquilze the mind" he says. bring
sleep by force Of will Sleep alone If possible.
Sometimes. il everything else fails. warm foot
bath drinking q glass Of milk before going 70
bed will bring sleep to tired eyes"