FoREL, Nen>e Hygiene. 187 



not be prolonged into the night. One ought not to continue to 

 labor with an exhausted, harrassed mind. 



Thirdly, it is necessary to take sufficient nourishment, but 

 one must not overeat — must partake of farinaceous food, the 

 fats and albumen in proper proportions 



Fourthly, eight hours of sleep are a necessity, and above all 

 one must not retire too late. Tliere must Le no excesses of any 

 kind. 



Fifthly, all alcoholic drinks as well as all artificial producers 

 of sleep and nerve stimulants must be absolutely avoided, as a 

 matter of principle. Resolutely and bravely turn the back upon 

 all places of tippling and seek the society of total abstainers, 

 for to them belongs the future. Those people who wholly ab- 

 stain from alcohol and the other things mentioned are more ca- 

 pable of work, healthier, happier and live longer. They do not 

 endanger their posterity, run no risk of picking up some vener- 

 eal disease in a state of intoxication. * * * Poverty and 

 social enslavement are also the daughters of alcohol and the 

 mothers of nervousness and of brain stupefaction. 



Bat nervous people and those who have weak nerves ought 

 especially to regulate their lives according to these principles. 

 Often they are cured by this means alone, without a physician, 

 without drugs. Of course, however, since in their case the 

 brain is already enfeebled, they are in need of a different pre- 

 scription ; they will be obliged to engage very moderately in 

 mental labor, in fact, not at all until there is improvement, 

 meanwhile exercising the muscles in order indirectly to provide 

 the brain with power substance. The best means of all is ordi- 

 nary labor on a farm, on generous, nourishing diet, and water. 

 This method of cure I have prescribed for distinguished pa- 

 tients, ladies as well as gentlemen, which met with the very best 

 success. 



But thus far we have as yet done nothing to invigorate and 

 improve the brain of our posterity. To take thought for that is 

 certainly beautiful and important, although most people are too 

 crass, egotistic or thoughtless to take practical interest. But in 

 many cases only ignorance is the cause of criminal neglect of 

 the subject. It is to the latter we address ourselves. 



It . is criminal towards posterity to bring forth children 



