The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-23
LIQUOR HABIT IS
ON THE INCREASE
Strenuous Life Plays Havoc With
Nerves and Recourse To Drink Is
Result, Says Boston Specialist.

HiOlllon wave tnat has recently swept
the country, was one of the startling
statements made by DR.. Frank c.
Richardson. famous Boston nerve spe.
clalist and professor OF nervous dis.
eases In Boston university. in an adj
dress on The problem OF American
Disiness neurosis" before the Amcri-
can Institute of Homeopathy, In the
\. NJ. {. A. auditorium. Tuesday Ill
ternoon. The paper made marked
impression on the gathering and evok-
ed great deal OF discussion. His Wig
orous handling of the subject. which
Is becoming more serious problem IN
America each year, won deserved ap-
plause from the delegates.
The increase In the use OF alcoholic
stimulants was cited by the doctor as
one Of the incidents. or rather the fac
tors, in the development OF nervous
diseases among business men as 4 re-
suit Of the strenuous life.
The increase OF this neurosis Is
menace TO the nervous stability OF the
present generation" he said "A bus
mess system that makes such pernic-
ious exaction OF its devotees as pre-
walls In America today must OF neces
sity be changed or we shall be the
It's dangers may be forestalled by es
tablishing the custom OF periodic,
thorough examinations by skilled phy-
sicians and reliance upon their advice.
It's consequences may be mitigated by
promoting obedience TO natural laws.
including the most important prmcl-
pie Of alternating activity and relaxa
ton In periods suited 10 the limita
flnnC of W VII al
The frequency with which leaders
of business interests are collapsing
from ovcr-strain has become alarmine.
DR.. Richardson declared. and until
there comes natural reaction from
the present feverish strife. the physl-
clan must intervene To mitigate the
consequences. aud the burden falls
chiefly on the neuro,ogist or nerve
specialist
The business or professional man
OF today" continued the doctor.
must be in possession of perfect
mental and physical faculties in order
TO be assured of success in life Tie
medical profession, with its tradition
al altruism. is responding nobly 10
the demand. and it 10 acknowledged
on every hand that the medicine Of
4
cine Already the movement in this
direction is taking practical form. It
is now common practice To have the
teeth inspected at stated times IN or.
der that impending decay may be
forestalied. School children are ex-
amined by public medical officers 1t
Is here confidently prophesied that in
the not distant future people, impeil-
cd by either law or custom, will at
intervals determined by their age. sub
NIT themselves for thorough physical
examination.
TOO many OF our American business
men are living a life OF physical and
mental strain which Is suicidal. Long
hours devoted TO commercial and fnan- !
cial problems Of the most intricate
character. hurried railroad journeys,
insufficient time for eating or sleep
ing, little fresh air and 40 repose or
mind or body. is the prevailing routine. |
I'm order to spur on the tagging
powers recourse Is had 20 alcohol, to-
bacco and stimulating pasumes. II is
no longer uncommon to hear admis-
sions OF having smoked from 10 10 -
cigars in a day and to having lost
count OF the alcoholic beverages con-
sumed. The evening OF such day
may be passed III the name Of recrea-
ton in competitive stress around the
billiard or card table, still smoking
and drinking II the theatcr Is visit
cd entertainments Of the most stimu
latine character are selected; any
thing else is boredom, and plays Of
real worth are not popular Still we
prate Of the decadence Of the stage.
which for mercantile reasons Is forced
70 cater TO the demand that II furnish
stimulus to jaded nerves
What the Result is.
Imagine this nervous tension, 10
speak OF II mildly. continued month
after month, year after year, and won
der that the poor, abused victims OF
the new century swirl retain even a
semblance of normal nerve function.
The inevitable result of such a life is
not only lowered vitality. enfeebled
circulation, disordercd metaDolism and
defective elimination, btit att unstdbtc
nervous functionating with all It's hor-
rid brood OF symptoms
THE most valuable counselor IS ne
who devises for these men some meth |
Cd of continuing their business activi-
tiles in a more rational manner Each |
business situation has It's own prob
lens: nevertheless. with few If any
exceptions, every business can be sys.
tematized in accordance with the pTtr-
ciple found everywhere In nature, the |
alienation OF activity and rest.
"Neurasthenia is not monopoliZed /
by faded politicians, society danes, !
anxious housewives and mothers. pal |
HID students aHa hish-strung must. I
clans and artists The harassed Am |
erican business man contributes a |
goodly proportion Of the functional |
neuroses coming under the care OF the |
physician. Many men who are thought /
To be irritable are simply Ill. The |
only way TO secure the best results of
the powers that are in them is TO reg !
yulate the hours OF irksome drudgery. |
There are many vague conceptions !
as TO what constitutes relaxation !
Idleness Is not rest for tired brain !
Workers. In one case horseback rid !
ing restored a set of shattered nerves
and revolutionized the methods of a
hrge business enterprise. Two part.
jpcrs In business and neurasthenia are
benefitlng in both respects by taking
practical lessons in surveying
Liquor Drinking Increased.
Approaching ia the most liberal
manner possible the subject OF the
use Of alcohol, 1t must be acknowl-
Tedged that the neurologist Is behold
cd to this agent for Surprisingly
large number of cases. Notwithstand-