286 NATUEE STUDIES. 



to a subject may show itself in several ways. Thus 

 the mind may be unable even to begin the study of a 

 subject; or it may begin the study and presently 

 wander off to other subjects, despite the most anxious 

 efforts to restrain it from so doing; or suddenly it 

 will seem to cease its action, remaining for a short 

 time confused and as it were lost, and then resuming 

 the consideration of the same subject at the point 

 where it had left it, and apparently as acutely and 

 attentively as before. These three forms of distraction 

 are of different significance as symptoms of mental 

 trouble. The first, though undoubtedly it would be 

 very serious in this respect, if persistent, nearly 

 always indicates only that the mind wants rest, and 

 no one who is wise will neglect the warning. The 

 second equally implies that the mind wants rest, 

 though not in equal degree. But the third is usually 

 a sign of serious mischief. We consider it here, 

 not as belonging to those indications of mental dis- 

 turbance which, witho.ut being alarming, should be 

 attended to by all who wish to keep their brains in 

 good working order, but because the nature of the 

 cerebral mischief indicated by such symptoms has 

 been ascertained, and we may hence infer the general 

 nature of the mischief indicated when the less serious 

 symptoms of distraction are recognised, and may so 

 judge what is the appropriate remedy. For, unfor- 

 tunately, several of the cases in which the mind has 

 been observed suddenly to become confused or lost, 

 resuming its activity and clearness after a short 



