226 EXCESSIVE EXERCISE OF THE BRAIN. 



insensible to light, and no longer conveys any im- 

 pressions to the mind. In like manner, the brain, 

 when much exhausted, becomes incapable of thought, 

 and consciousness is almost lost in a feeling of utter 

 confusion. 



At any time of life, excessive and continued 

 mental exertion is hurtful ; but in infancy and early 

 youth, when the structure of the brain is still imma- 

 ture and delicate, permanent mischief is more easily 

 inflicted by injudicious treatment than at any subse- 

 quent period ; and, in this respect, the analogy is 

 complete between the brain and the other parts of 

 the body, as we have already seen exemplified in 

 the injurious effects of premature exercise of the 

 bones and muscles. Scrofulous and rickety children 

 are the most usual sufferers in this way. They are 

 generally remarkable for large heads, great precocity 

 of understanding, and small delicate bodies. But, 

 in such instances, the great size of the brain and the 

 acuteness of mind are the results of morbid growth ; 

 and, even with the best management, the child passes 

 the first years of its life constantly on the brink of 

 active disease. Instead, however, of trying to re- 

 press its activity, the fond parents, misled by the 

 early promise of genius, too often excite it still 

 farther, by unceasing cultivation and the never-fail- 

 ing stimulus of praise and emulation ; and, finding its 

 progress for a time equal to their warmest wishes, 

 they look forward with ecstasy to the day when its 

 talents will break forth, and shed a lustre on its 

 name. But, in exact proportion as the picture be- 

 comes brighter to their fancy, the probability of its 

 being realized becomes less ; as the brain, worn out 

 by premature exertion, either becomes diseased or 

 loses its tone, leaving the mental powers slow and 

 depressed for the remainder of life. The expected 

 prodigy is thus ultimately and easily outstripped in 

 the social race by many whose apparently dull out- 

 let promised him an easy victory. 



