THE HYGIENE OF .THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 165 



It is shown in refraining from motor acts and quite as 

 truly in mental life. We need two great accomplish- 

 ments for intellectual success, the power of concen- 

 tration and the power of detachment. These seem to 

 be opposites but they are really akin. To concentrate 

 is to banish thoughts which are irrelevant to our problem 

 and to detach is to put aside the problem itself when this 

 is desirable. Great men and women have excelled 

 in both respects; they have been able to narrow their 

 attention to the work before them and, again, to enjoy 

 absolute relaxation or to sleep when they have thought 

 it opportune. 



Anticipation. It is often necessary to muster all our 

 resolution to exclude thoughts of the future. At other 

 times it is the part of wisdom to live much in anticipa- 

 tion. Under normal conditions one should find interest 

 and happiness chiefly in the activities of the present. 

 Much is written nowadays of the injurious effect of 

 fear upon the mental and physical health and the 

 teaching is probably not carried too far. We often see 

 splendid examples of detachment on the part of those 

 who approach great trials, perhaps surgical operations, 

 without dwelling on the ordeals in prospect, taking an 

 unselfish interest all the while in the ordinary concerns 

 of the home. This is heroic and at the same time it is 

 the best possible course for the individual. 



In temporary misfortune anticipation of a better 

 day may be beneficent. At the same time it is some- 

 times foolish to think too much of the future when 

 the result is to create discontent with present condi- 

 tions. Many a homesick student makes himself more 

 miserable than is necessary by counting the days to his 

 vacation and indulging in incessant plans for his holi- 

 days. He ought to find compensations in his work and 

 his companionships. 



Emotion. The strong feelings which, as we say, at 

 times " possess us" are attended by an outpouring of 

 impulses from the nervous system to various effectors. 



