HYGIENE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 335 



which increases the self-respect and raises the individual to 

 a higher plane of life. The worst habits can be broken 

 and good ones formed in their stead, if only there is suf- 

 ficient determination to accomplish these results. Failure 

 comes from not having the mind thoroughly " made up " 

 and from not having, back of the desire to do better, " the 

 strong will of a righteous determination." 



Effects of External Conditions. While the inner life 

 and habits have most to do with the hygiene of the nerv- 

 ous system, a certain amount of attention may properly 

 be given to those conditions outside of the body which 

 affect directly or indirectly the state of this system. 

 Noise, disorder, and confusion act as nervous irritants, 

 but quiet,' order, and system have the opposite effect. 

 There is, therefore, much in the management of the office, 

 factory, schoolroom, or home that has to da with the real 

 hygiene of the nerves as well as with the efficiency of the 

 work that is being done. The suppression of distracting 

 influences not only enables the mind to be given fully to 

 the work in hand, but actually prevents waste of nervous 

 energy. Although the responsibility for securing the best 

 conditions for work rests primarily with those in charge, 

 it is also true that each individual in every organization 

 may contribute to the order or disorder that prevails. 



Social Relations. In considering the external conditions 

 that affect the nervous system, the fact must not be over- 

 looked that man is a social being and has to adjust himself to 

 an established social order. His relations to his fellow-men, 

 therefore, affect strongly his nervous condition and theirs 

 also. For this reason the best hygiene of the nervous sys- 

 tem is based upon moral as well as physical right living. 

 Along with the power of self-control and the maintenance 

 of a correct nervous poise, there should be a proper regard 



