ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D by Alfred B. Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 8, 1904

ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D

By Alfred B. Olsen

Neurasthenia

ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D

NEURASTHENIA is a Greek word, the literal meaning of which is nerve debility. In other words, it is nerve exhaustion or nerve prostration. Nerve force becomes deficient. The nerves are in a hypersensitive condition. Small matters that would ordinarily not be noticed, irritate. Little things excite. One gets into a state aptly termed “fidgets.” Bad temper is easily manifested. The patient is cross, sulky, and ugly. There is fear and apprehension. In short, the nervous system is shattered, and nervous control is lost to a greater or less degree.

Shattered nerves is a functional disorder. There is no serious organic change. Nevertheless the disease is a serious one, for it may lead to grave and incurable disturbances of the nervous system. So it must receive immediate attention, and everything possible be done to promote recovery.

No Respector of Persons

Any person may suffer from shattered nerves. All classes are affected. The laboring man is not immune. Rich and poor furnish victims. Even children and youth are subject to attack. The business man, the society woman, the schoolteacher or the pupil, the clergyman, the doctor or lawyer, the butcher,—any of these may suffer from shattered nerves, and as a consequence lead a miserable existence. Further, one attack by no means protects from a future illness. On the other hand, one who has suffered is more likely to suffer again.

Some of the Causes

It would be difficult to classify the causes which lead to neurasthenia. They are both numerous and varied, and affect different persons in different ways. In a general way, the causes may be considered under two heads,—mental and physical. The laws of hygiene and healthful living must be neglected in order to have neurasthenia. There is carelessness in the care of the body. The demands upon the vital organs are in excess of their capacity, and after a time nature gives way, and nervous prostration is the result. These inordinate demands reduce the normal efficiency of the body, and diminish the recuperative power of the nervous system. The nerves go on a strike, and the functions of the organs become perverted.

Nerve Strain Before Nerve Breakdown

The nervous system is well organized and prepared to stand a big strain. It is capable of hard and difficult work, and under favorable conditions, a reasonable amount of work only serves to strengthen and vitalize. But it is the continual overstraining day after day for years, the constant drain of nervous energy, that finally leads to exhaustion. Nerve energy is utilized faster than it is developed. It is not only used up, but the conditions for further manufacture of this vital necessity are made more and more unfavorable. The amount of work, both physical and mental, that a man or woman is capable of doing is enormous, providing the body is in a fit condition, and moderation is practised. But too often there are serious departures from the principles of healthful living. Some of these have to do with—

Errors of Diet

There is the sin of overeating, which is well nigh universal among adults. We believe it was Abernethy who said that “one fourth of the food a man eats keeps him, and the other three fourths he keeps at his peril.” Whether this be actually true or not, it is well known that most people eat too much. The quantity of food put into the stomach is not the only factor for consideration. The amount actually digested and assimilated is of far greater importance.

Again: most people are inclined to eat too fast. Too often the food is hastily bolted without proper mastication and insalivation, and as a result it lies heavy in the stomach, and is likely to undergo fermentation before digestion is completed. Time is well spent in thoroughly chewing the food. This is the first step of digestion, and is under the direct control of the will.

Condiments, pickles, and highly seasoned foods are avoided by him who considers his health valuable. Pastries, sweets, greasy foods, and cheese are also undesirable.

The man who would follow the natural life abstains from flesh-meats. While nutritious and commonly used freely in civilized countries, flesh food is relatively a poor food, as it contains uric acid and other waste products of tissue metabolism.

The Drink Evil

Alcohol is undoubtedly one of the great causes in bringing on nervous disorders. Alcohol in any form is a tissue poison, and a nerve irritant. Alcohol has a specific and direct action on the nervous system, as witnessed in the loss of co-ordination shown in the unsteady gait of the drunkard. He becomes hilarious, and is no longer responsible for what he says or does. The nerves are excited to an unnatural state, and are beyond control. Intemperance is a prolific cause of nerve disorders of all kinds, and should be combated with a strong hand.

Neglect of Sleep

As a rule the neurasthenic is a poor sleeper, perhaps a victim to insomnia. For a long time he made himself do without sufficient sleep. Then, he could sleep, but would not; now, he would, but can not. The mental machine has been pushed to such extremes that its control is now lost, and it goes on working unbidden.

Sleep is the time for recuperation and repair. The expended energies of the day are thus renewed. The brain cells are in a state of quiet repose, and energy is laid aside for the use of the next day. Most grown-up people require seven or eight hours' sleep per day, and some still more. The exact amount depends on the build, constitution, and state of health of the patient.

Worry and Anxiety

Some one has said that work builds, and worry kills. All are acquainted with the depressing effect of worry. It is veritable mental suicide. But how common an evil it is. Some people almost boast of their worries. “I worry over this, that, and the other,” is constantly heard on every hand.

“Don’t worry,” is easier to command than obey. And yet, after all, why worry? What is the benefit gained? How much money has been saved or gained by worry? Has it done you the slightest good? Has worry saved doctor's bills or paid draper's bills? Has it built houses or sold farms? Has it ever contributed one ounce of good cheer or one grain of happiness?—No, of course not. Then why worry any more? Stop the abominable habit, and substitute good cheer and hope, and, if you please, hard work.

Sedentary Life

As a people we are getting to be less and less active as far as exercise and physical culture are concerned. With trains and trams and omnibuses and cabs there is little chance nowadays for walking. In the morning the busy man takes the tram to the station, boards the train, and is carried to his office or shop.

In the evening he rides home again. Wherever he goes, he takes the tube or the train or the ’bus.

In the morning he is too hurried to exercise, and at night he is too tired. Occasionally he gets away for a brief afternoon, but that is not sufficient. Such spasmodic efforts are of little real value.

Activity is the first law of life. Cessation of activity means death. The essential difference between living matter and dead matter is that of activity. In the tree activity is manifested by growth; in the animal world by both growth and movement.

If you would have steady and calm nerves, go in for physical culture and outdoor exercise.