p. 349 | Overwork by Pacific Rural Press

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 5, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 22.

Overwork.

By Pacific Rural Press

A LARGE amount of sentimental stuff gets into print about men killing themselves by overwork. In nine out of ten cases of this kind, the true cause of death will be found to be something besides overwork. We all know professional and business men who work harder than they ought, and yet, by taking good care of themselves in the way of diet, exercise, etc., manage to enjoy good health and wear a cheerful, hearty look. Those who die from "overwork" generally use liquors and tobacco without moderation, keep late hours, and indulge in hazardous speculations outside of their legitimate business. Late hours, liquor, and tobacco engender weak nerves and upset the functions of the body, while anxiety over speculative schemes acts on the brain. With these evil agencies working against a man, some slight exposure brings on an attack of illness and the whole body being weakened, gives way in a very short time. The sudden illness and speedy demise baffle medical skill; the stricken family and shocked friends are told that overwork was the cause of death, and the press deplores the tendency of our civilization to kill people by overwork, when the real cause of nine-tenths of these deaths is as outlined above.—Pacific Rural Press.