168 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 



putrefaction may be absorbed into the circulation and 

 do mischief, a prominent consequence of such absorp- 

 tion being an increased demoralization of the nervous 

 system. 



Other functions which suffer are the action of the heart 

 and the control of the blood-vessels. The last-men- 

 tioned disturbance shows itself in great sensitiveness to 

 temperature changes, the skin flushing or paling in 

 response to comparatively slight shifts. The perspira- 

 tion breaks out at times in excessive volume and again 

 is suddenly checked. Irregularity and instability of 

 reaction are to be observed in every field. The kidneys, 

 the bladder, and the reproductive organs misbehave 

 and often encourage the sufferer in the conviction that 

 he has grave local disease. 



Meanwhile the temperamental signs are most char- 

 acteristic. There is morbid absorption in self with utter 

 disregard of the feelings and rights of others. Self-pity 

 is a leading symptom. The feelings of the neurasthenic 

 are always being wounded but he has no realization of 

 the injustice he inflicts upon his housemates. He is 

 unreasonable and exasperating. It is one of the most 

 difficult of life's duties to deal kindly, firmly, and con- 

 sistently with such people. They deserve sympathy 

 but the free expression of it confirms them in their 

 pessimism. The problem is too large a one to be dis- 

 cussed in a book like this. 



Naturally the cure for nervous fatigue must be found 

 in rest, but the high irritability which prevails makes it 

 difficult to secure the rest which is so obviously needed. 

 Some strong inhibition must fall upon the overdriven 

 complexes of the nervous system before they be restored. 

 In different cases this requisite inhibition is secured 

 in very different ways. Sometimes hard and simple 

 manual work will induce it. Sometimes a deliberate 

 withholding of sympathy from a nervous subject, a stead- 

 fast refusal to give him the center of the stage, has 

 worked wonders. He has silenced his own complaints 



