Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-24
KEEPING MENTALLY FIT
BY JOSEPH JASTRow.

themes are simply people whose nerv-
GUS systems are not as rooustly organ
lied to stand wear and tear. shock and
strain as the common run.
Since the army of the tired is SO
large. all who belong to it have plenty
Of good company, and the aforesaid
procession would contain many worthy
and distinguished individuals, and like
wise q large number OF the competent
who carry on and hold their own de-
spite a nervous handicap. Many OF
them should be granted decoration
or honor badge for their serviceS-~for
facing their problems and meeting them
bTagely.
I believe that If competent examiner
went into any large Office or workshop
or salesroom he could find consider
able percentage of recruits who belong
to the great army Of the tired. II, M.
is typical instance Of those who know
it and present rather extreme symptoms.
So the spokesweman. H. NJ, is serv-
ing the cause well By indicating how
a rational attitude toward ones neu-
rasthenia may be helpful. Understand
ing in the intelligent lessons fear and
increases control lBy the way, there
are far more men in this army than
women, for neurasthenia follows more
closely the mans way OF breaking down,
or running down nervously, than it does
the womans, but the sauce or the
remedy for the goose and the gander
is the salne.)
One Of the common symptoms OF the
neurasthenic is a sense OF impending
collapse, or fear OF fainting, a feeling
that things are growing hazy or gray
or topping; and some have a very
definite sensation as OF something snap
ping in the head or flush and confu-
sioa, or receiving a sudden blow that
means nothing less than death. But
the faintness feeling Is the most com
mon. R0bustly nervous people just get
good and hungry. neurasthenics get
faint.
/ knew of one man who found that
swallowing raw egg dissipated that
feeling SO he had some wooden boxes
made 10 carry raw eggs safely IN his
pockets, and when that awful feeling
came he was prepared. He had a dozen
other fatigue symptoms, but after o
dozen years OF inyalidism he was cured
Of most of them by wise physician,
and at the age OF so climbed high
mountain on picnic lunch.
II 81. hits the point when she insists
that people with marked neurasthenic
symptoms should take those symptoms
calmly. should not view them with alarm
but with confidence that they will pass.
Since they are in part fatigue symp-
toms, rest and nourishment will tide
them over They are signals worth
needing. but not alarms. Still better,
they are symptoms that can be avoided
Better take that sip and bite before
the feeling comes on.
But the ideal IL always to be able 70
d0 without It, Habits are good, but
the power Of breaking them is better
The first step IN curing the case mem
toned was breaking of that raw-egg
habit The recipe for raising house
plants. bringing up children and curing
Inconsistencies Is all the same-judicious
neglect Just how much attention u
pay 10 symptoms and how and when
/ is a matter Of judgment. Most neuras-
thenics go through repeated aRonies oi
alarm because they are victims Of fear
and victims Of fatigue. They find II
hard 70 iearn that 50 slight handicap
as susceptible nervous system viii
/ impose upon them alarming symptoms
and q special regimen and burden.
lCopyrtgnt 1929