22 . THE TONER LECTURES. 



not to be overlooked. The unfortunate possessor of these feelings 

 and emotions is already on the danger line. 



A peculiar and unusual laxity or immobility of countenance is 

 one of the minor and yet important early indications that a man's 

 account of physical and mental vigor is being overdrawn. This 

 takes the place of the firm lines and the quick and varied play of 

 features so indicative of mental strength and acuteness. It is due 

 to a loss of muscular tone which, in its turn, is dependent upon 

 impairment of central nervous control. It is often present in the 

 early stages of dementia of any form. . . 



Brain-fag shows itself again in the want of zest and sense of 

 eftbrt which goes with every task. The desk-worker expects to 

 accomplish some hours of useful labor; but, instead of his interest 

 and enthusiasm awakening, as formerly happened, he becomes 

 absent-minded, ideas fail to come to him, and he is unable to con- 

 centrate his attention. By persistence he may be able to arouse for 

 a short time some of his former energy, but long, continued effort 

 becomes impossible. The life has gone out of his work. His 

 habits and methods of work change almost without his knowing it. 

 He is obliged to get more time that he may, to some extent, com- 

 pensate for lessened powers. Minutes are stolen from his meals, 

 hours from his family and from sleep, and Sunday's rest is in- 

 vaded and violated. He ceases to know the meaning of recrea- 

 tion, and becomes an abject slave to tasks which become every 

 day more irksome and impossible of completion. 



A diminution or loss of power to resist exposure, fatigue, or 

 slight deprivation of food and rest is one of the surest evidences 

 of nervous decline. The man in this case is showing prematurely 

 that lessened power of resistance which comes on physiologically 

 Avith advancing years. His nerve-centres are exhausted, they are 

 wearing out, and are no longer capable of sending forth those 

 nerve-stimuli which are necessary to assimilation and repair. 



Heart failure Avas particularly observed* in two cases — both phy- 

 sicians. In one, signs of a weak heart, with slow and sometimes 



