J'.IX Tin: NERVOUS s\sn,M \\l> ITS CONSERVATION 



t;ikrs to abolish p;iin, and this it may do with surpri>ing 

 success. But this is a species of narcoH- and carries with 

 it no certain assurance that the nervoii> system is not to 

 suffer progressive injury from the subconscious stimula- 

 tion. 



This criticism should not he launched without giving 

 larger recognition to the usefulness of psychotherapoutic 

 nii'Msures. even where the trouble is an organic one. 

 I'Yeedom from pain favors sleep and nutrition. Hence, 

 it may easily prove to be the only condition which is 

 needed to initiate a recovery. Again, the banishment of 

 pain is always beneficent when the disea-e i> incurable, 

 lint when the peripheral cause of distress can be correct rd. 

 it is always better to attend to it. 



One can readily think of a rather largo number of 

 physical lesions which are apt to be tolerated or even for- 

 gotten which are possible sources of injurious stimulation. 

 Defective teeth afford an example. Many troubles asso- 

 ciated with the feet, such as corns, broken arches, or even 

 badly fitted shoes, belong in the same class. Nasal ob- 

 structions may have the sanu 1 influence. Hemorrhoids 

 and uterine displacement-, are more serious conditions 

 and have a like tendency, only more obviously effective. 

 Surgical operations for the relief of such conditions may 

 bring about what is little less than a regeneration of the 

 character of the individual. Among temporary causes 

 of imperfectly reali/ed nervous strain may be mentioned 

 the wearing of orthodontia appliances. Children obliged 

 to submit to these instruments may not complain of great 

 distress, but they are likely to be made irritable ami tired by 

 the constant wear and tear. An additional factor in some 

 case- is found in the loss of pleasure in eating which the 

 apparatus is likely to entail. 



A word of criticism may be introduced here regarding 

 cm-rent views concerning ventilation. The simple 1 and 

 -iimmary doctrine prevails that air cannot be bad mile-- 

 it is too warm. The odors by which we usually gage the 

 success or failure of a system are lightly treated. It is 



