224 THE HUMAN MOTOR 



Repose nd sleep are inevitable consequences of the law of 

 rhythm which appears to govern life and constitute its means of 

 defence (see 149 as to the weekly rest). 



160. Moral Influences. The effect of the moral and mental 

 condition of the workman on bis physical strength and output 

 must not be overlooked. If he is in a contented frame of mind, 

 the effects of fatigue are less felt and the reparation of his tissues 

 is more rapid. " The happy always recover," said Ambrose 

 Pan:! If, in his leisure hours, he can be interested and amused, 

 he is likely to show more energy in his daily work. Both the 

 financial incentive of higher wages and the innate pride in good 

 work lend to improve his output. 



On the other hand, there are many moral factors which tend to 

 decrease his output, such as anxiety and sickness in his family. 

 Among some peoples even religious prejudices, which forbid 

 work on certain days and prohibit certain forms of food, unfavour- 

 ably affect output. 



In a person suffering from mental trouble the contractability 

 of the muscle decreases. Lombard showed this in the following 

 manner : one knee being placed on the other, whilrt one foot 

 touches the ground, the extensor muscle of the upper leg is tapped 

 with a hammer. At each stroke the foot lifts and an apparatus 

 attached to the toes registers the force of the contraction. When 

 the subject is suffering from mental trouble the movement 

 decreases perceptibly . ( l ) 



Interest in his trade has also a powerful moral influence ; there- 

 fore a master should see that a workman is not removed from a 

 task that he likes and to which he is accustomed, and given one 

 to which he is not suited by temperament. A man's natural 

 bent should not be thwarted, and since the love of money has 

 replaced the love of occupation or trade, it is necessary to ascer- 

 tain his vocation and to make it permanent by enlisting his self- 

 interest. 



161. Professional Influences. Amongst the internal factors 

 in work must be mentioned ability and skill. These are quali- 

 ties which will increase output, and are only acquired by habit 

 and thought. The workman who pays no attention to his work 

 accomplishes it without benefitting his education and vvill not 

 make progress. He will become a mere machine, and he will 

 not notice the defective attitudes which tire him, or eliminate 

 unnecessary action of muscles ; he will not follow the example 

 of the good, skilful workman who, next to him, performs his tas>k 

 by economising his strength, thereby producing more work. 



(*) W. C. Lombard (Journ. of Physiol., vol. xiii., p. 1, 1892), 



