44 Abnormal Ideas and Nervous Super-Excitahihty . 



stood, that it is, at the best, a relative term. In every 

 enlightened nation there are laws, customs, habits, religion, 

 institutions, which go to make up its civilization, and its effect 

 upon the individual can only be estimated, when we know the 

 influence of each element upon the human mind ; and it is 

 only in a few cases that anything like accurate returns of 

 diseases, mental and otherwise, are afforded, any conclusion 

 must of necessity be untrustworthy. The problem of the 

 influence of civilization, whatever that may mean, on the 

 production of nervous over-excitement is practically insoluble, 

 and so we must pei force leave it. 



In discussing this important question, I have endeavoured to 

 do so in the broadest possible manner and in reference to the 

 religious part of the enquiry, must disclaim any intention of 

 depreciating any sincere and intelligent feeling and conviction. 

 My aim has been to urge the importance of intelligent con- 

 viction on all subjects so that abnormal ideas and the terrible 

 results of nervous super-excitability may be avoided. 



