21-' Till; NKKVOUS S^STK.M AXU ITS COXSHHVATION 



ciate hi- woe. He is likely to wish that his friend might 

 feel just what he feels, showing in this the marked con- 

 trast between his own state and that of the sufferer with 

 rheumatism or tuberculosis, who is glad that others are 

 well if he cannot be. 



The studied withholding of sympathy from neuras- 

 thenics has often had remarkable results. It is doubtless 

 practised in many sanitariums, and there is one institution 

 in particular in which it is a chief measure of treatment. 

 The broken-down business man who comes to this resort 

 does not wait long before he attempts to set forth his tale 

 of hopeless suffering, but each attendant cuts short his 

 expatiating with brusque or jocular rejoinders. The 

 spirit of the neurasthenic is deeply wounded and, at first, 

 his self-pity is intensified. Perhaps he casts himself upon 

 his bed and weeps in his desolation, turning his face to the 

 wall like the undisciplined Hebrew king. 



If we bear in mind that the central fact in neurasthenia 

 is excess of nervous activity, we shall foresee that correc- 

 tion must come from inhibition. Now, one of the first 

 steps toward the attainment of self-control is taken when 

 the patient becomes assured that he cannot obtain the sym- 

 pathetic response which lie so greatly craves, and begins 

 to hold his tongue. Another reaction which is sometimes 

 beneficial is the provocation of the invalid to anger. At 

 the sanitarium referred to, the harsh attitude maintained 

 by t he attendants leads readily to the loss of temper on the 

 part of the sufferer. If he forgets himself so far as to lay 

 hands upon his nurse, he is vigorously handled. Insulted 

 and humiliated, he descends to the uttermost depths after 

 such a pas>aiiv ;it arms. But if the experience is repeated 

 at intervals, the regular habits and general hygienic con- 

 duct of the institution having their effect in the mean- 

 time, the emotion of anger gradually comes to bring with 

 it a sense of power instead of impotence. The return of 

 self-reliance and self-government is said to be splendid to 

 witness. If a day comes when the convalescent demon- 

 -trate- that lie can put his tormentor out into the corridor, 



