MISPLACED RELIANCE. 151 



It is often mischievous as well as anomalous in 

 its action. Under civilization with its division of 

 labour, the various functions of mind and body are 

 very unequally exercised. There is overwork or 

 misuse of one part and disuse and neglect of others, 

 leading to the partial breakdown or degeneration 

 of various organs and to general deterioration of 

 health through disturbed balance of the constitution. 

 The brain, or rather particular parts of it, are 

 often over-stimulated, while the body is neglected. 

 In many ways education and civilization foster 

 nervousness and weakness, and undermine the rude 

 natural health and spirits of the human animal. 

 Alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, extra brain work, late 

 hours, dissipation, overwork, indoor life, division of 

 labour, preservation of the weak, and many other 

 causes, all help to injure the modern constitution ; 

 so that the prospect of cumulative intensification of 

 these evils by the additional influence of use- 

 inheritance is not an encouraging one. It is true 



