LECTURE IX. 



Delivered March 19. 1804. 



MENTAL OVER-WORK AND PREMATURE DISEASE AMONG 

 PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEN. 



By Charles K. 3Iills, M. D. 



For my subject this evening I am indebted to the suggestion of 

 the public-spirited founder of the " Toner Lectures," who, during 

 his long residence in Washington, having seen many striking in- 

 stances of break-down among public and professional men, had 

 been led to feel that a study of the causes and the earliest 

 indications of over brain work in these walks of life might prove 

 an interesting investigation, and assist in the development of some 

 new facts. 



Extreme mental activity, overstrain, and excitement must be re- 

 garded as characteristics of American civilization. In this country 

 every one feels that he is an important possibility in politics, law, 

 medicine, theology, business, science, or literature, so that our very 

 liberties and opportunities become sources of peril to health and life. 

 From the cradle to the grave the American too often lives in an 

 atmosj)here of unnatural emulation, while, in other countries, the 

 traditional usages and the more absolute divisions of society into 

 grades and castes prevent so fierce a struggle among the many for 

 high position. 



Mr. Herbert Spencer, whom all admit to be entitled to consid- 

 eration as a close observer of human nature, during his visit to 

 this country, was everywhere struck with the number of faces 

 he met which spoke in strong lines of the burdens that had to 



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