The Detroit times., 1915-10-13
Beware of Red
sY n. ApDiNGToN BRUCE.
Author OF The Riddle OF Personality.
Psychology and Parenthood." ETC.

IL is fact, not generally known as u
ought to be, that different colors have different
effects on the nervous systems Of human beings
Some colors are peculiarly stimulating TO the
nervous system. and under certain conditions
stimulate IL abnormally. This is especially true
OF the color red.
nature. as you must have observed, is ex-
ceedingiy chary In the use of red. We do not
have red oceans or red skies or red grass.
Only in the autumn, when the days are short
and gray, IL red used by nature TO any extent.
Then our forests and meadows are sprinkled
with it. in bright patches that afford stimu-
lating contrast TO the general duiness OF the
autumn landscape
In this there is a hint which everybody ought
TO take Whether in articles OF dress or in
household decoration, red should be used spar
| ingiy. Under some circumstances should
not be used at all
| So sbnormally stimulating is red when used
| In excess and for any length OF time, that IL
sometimes causes serious nervous symptoms.
A medical man was once puzzled by the ex-
IRENE nervousness OF whole family, whose
members often came 10 him 20 be treated for
Headache. sleeplessnesE, and other nervous ills
He found IL impossible TO give them permanent
.relief, until one day he was called 10 their
home
I Then ne noticed that red was much in evi.
deuce in the color scheme Of almost every
room IL the house. particularly in the wallpa-
Ipers Being aware OF its Irritating quality when
used thus iavishiy, he advised that the house be
jrepapered in other colors.
This having been done. the nervousness from
which the entire family had suffered soon dis
appeared.
| In another instance, reported by a New Yorl
specialist in household decoration, many vsi
tors to a clergyman's study found IL difficult q
talk 10 their pastor without becoming excited
This was at first attributed to his peculiar per
Isonalty.' But his personality changed for TIT
better, and those who entered his study Eel
less nervous strain, when its bright red wall
paper gave place to paper OF less Irritating hue
Similarly the unruliness of a class OF small
children was discovered 70 be largely due q
the exciting effect of the vfvtdty red carpet Of
the floor OF their schooroom. The removal q
this carpet was followed by marked improve
lment In behavior.
Facts like these suggest that red should no
, be allowed TO predominant In the upholstery
y floor coverings, or wallpaper of any room 4
which people have to spend much of their time
: II should not be used at all in living rooms int
which the sun enters freely for a large part O
the day.
r The sun itself is sufficient stimulus for IN
nervous system. BY adding TO II the stimula
ling effect of red. there Is the danger that
y condition OF nervous irritability viii be- estal
iished.
As to the use of red in clothing. the rul
o adopted by friend OF mine. a member of IN
Teaching, staff OF Wisconsin University, IL on
3 which everybody might follow to advantage.
: when the day n dull. or feel depressed
he tells me, Il put on a neckte wholly or par
q liz red. This find has a pleasantly stimulatin
effect on me. But never wear such q tie O
a bright day, or when ! am already In goo
Spirits"
b A with neckfies, so with dresses. The DIRE,
, lpartiy or entirely red should be reserved Il
; days when the skies are dull or the mind d
lpfossed.
III OF the effects of other coiors. I shall ha,
- oe1D0 - ~ onOthsr day.