BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 373 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Digestive and Mental Powers vary. If this be disregarded, Diges- 

 tive and Mental Disorder may follow. Mind disordered by Dys- 

 pepsia; Cold; Heat; Over-Action 



864. IT is well known, that the digestive organs are not 

 alike in all persons. One cannot eat some kinds of meat, 

 another cannot digest some kinds of vegetables, a third is 

 sickened with some kinds of fruit, while a fourth eats of 

 all these, and obtains nutriment and comfortable health from 

 each. So long as these persons avoid that food which in- 

 jures them, they eat freely and maintain their health. But, 

 if any one eats that which he does not digest easily, he 

 suffers from pain ; and, if he perseveres in eating it, his 

 stomach becomes deranged, and then digests nothing easily. 



865. So it is with the mind, which is not equally strong 

 for every purpose. If its attention and actions are confined 

 to the purposes which it can accomplish, and if it avoids all 

 others which it cannot master, it manifests no disorder. But 

 when it is required to attend to or comprehend such subjects 

 as are beyond its power, or assume responsibilities which 

 are impossible for it to bear, it struggles to do this with 

 pain, and is wearied with the effort ; and, if the attempt is per- 

 sisted in, the mind is weakened, and sometimes becomes 

 deranged. 



866. Some men transact their usual business, and fulfil 

 their responsibilities, discreetly and successfully, but when 

 they go out of their ordinary paths, and engage in political 

 strife or religious excitement, or when they suffer from 

 grief or from the unprosperous turn of their worldly affairs, 

 their minds lose their balance and become deranged^ Many 

 others pass through the same excitements, or are afflicted 

 with similar troubles, without mental disorder. Those who 

 fall, had some previous weakness of mind which prevented 

 their enduring what the others endured in safety. They 



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