224 EXCESSIVE EXERCISE OF THE BRAIN. 



too, the power of mental application gives way; the 

 digestive organs fail under the task imposed upon 

 them ; and headache, flushing, sickness, and hilious 

 attacks ensue in such rapid succession, that life at 

 last becomes a state of habitual indisposition. 



The best remedy for these evils is to create occu- 

 pation to interest the mind, and give that wholesome 

 exercise to the brain which its constitution requires. 

 Unless this can be done, the services of the phy- 

 sician will be available only so long as their novelty 

 continues a source of excitement ; and then, in all 

 probability, he will be discharged to make way for 

 another, who will, in his turn, be dismissed to give 

 place to a third. The principle on which this is 

 done is perfectly sound, and, in such cases, no sen- 

 sible physician will take it amiss that his assistance 

 is declined. The error lies in the patient seeking 

 the necessary mental stimulus in a change of at- 

 tendant, instead of in a change of occupation. But 

 there cannot be a doubt, that where the patient is 

 either unable or unwilling to seek recovery from 

 engaging in proper employment, the mere change 

 of physician is often of temporary service. 



The evils arising from EXCESSIVE or ill-timed exer- 

 cise of the brain or any of its parts, are numerous 

 and equally in accordance with the ordinary laws 

 of physiology. When we use the eye too long, or 

 in too bright a light, it becomes bloodshot, and the 

 increased action of its vessels and nerves gives rise 

 to a sensation of fatigue and pain requiring us to 

 desist. If we turn away the eye, the irritation 

 gradually subsides, and the healthy state returns ; 

 but if we continue to look intently, or resume our 

 employment before the eye has regained its natural 

 state by repose, the irritation at last becomes perma- 

 nent, and disease, followed by weakness of sight or 

 even blindness, may ensue ; as often happens to 



