320 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



assailants and establish his reputation as a politician. Strong intellectual appli- 

 cation may induce sufficient congestion to leave its traces for many hours in those 

 who are either plethoric or have an irritable circulation ; and when this is being 

 incessantly repeated, as in the case of over-ambitious students, or in persons under 

 the discharge of some inevitable duty, it may ultimately reduce the intellect 

 considerably below its former level. The counteraction of this congestion is often 

 attempted by means of violent exercise. With a man full-blooded, full-fed, and 

 of active digestion it answers well the equilibrium of the circulation is maintained, 

 together with the due eliminative action of the kidneys and bowels ; but in the 

 case of the pale weakly student, the best part of whose life is in his brain, it seldom 

 succeeds, for no sooner is the congestive headache cured than it is replaced by the 

 headache of exhaustion. 



The headache resulting from intoxication might at first sight appear to be a 

 congestive headache, since there can be no question that in that condition the 

 vessels are abnormally full ; but the fact is, that the retributive headache comes 

 011 only after the debauch is over, and ;t is probably of a composite character. The 

 disordered function of the brain so wantonly tampered with, and the derangement 

 of the liver and stomach, are probably more or less important factors in its 

 production. 



A congestive headache not of the active nature we have just been considering 

 is often met with, and is known as the headache of "brain-fag." It frequently 

 results from long-continued, persevering, over-action of the brain, whether by the 

 enthusiastic incautious student or the over-tasked professional man. It is caused 

 by the want of adequate rest, mental activity never ceasing for a sufficient length 

 of time to allow the brain to return to its normal condition in repose and recreation. 

 This headache is usually of a dull heavy character, and is most commonly situated 

 in the neighbourhood of the forehead. It is often accompanied by a feeling of 

 incapacity, and by that dejection of spirits that can hardly fail to accompany such 

 feeling. But without any excessive intellectual strain, this form of headache often 

 arises from mere continued anxiety, such as may be observed in some member of 

 a family on whom devolves the chief responsibility of its guidance. Attention 

 always on the alert, the necessity for provision against contingencies, the vexation 

 of disappointed plans, the difficulties incident to domestic, as well as every form of 

 government, the necessary employment of incapable, unwilling, or impracticable 

 agents such a life soon engenders this form of headache. 



The true active plethoric headache is unquestionably less frequent now-a-days 

 than it used to be. The exciting lives in business and dissipation, the wear and tear 

 of the nervous system, the railway travelling, the spareness, refinement, and delicacy 

 of the dietary, sufficiently distinguish the lives of public and professional men from 

 the sleepy squire, the plump pluralist, and the festive alderman of days gone by. 



Another variety of headache is known as the nervous headache, and it not un- 

 frequently afflicts an individual at intervals through a long life. It belongs to all 

 classes of society, attacking the rich luxurious lady amid the distractions of society, 

 and the poor hard-worked sempstress in the solitude of her garret. It, like many 

 other nervous affections, is a product of civilisation, and is almost unknown among 



