Chapter IY. 



EXCESSIVE FEAR — ITS EFFECTS. 



IT is quite wonderful to what a degree the nervous system can be 

 shaken or deranged by sudden fright or intense fear. So sus- 

 ceptible is the mind to this influence that not infrequently very 

 trifling causes in themselves 1 make such an impression upon children 



Fig. 157.— The Colt Excited by Fear. 



and sensitive persons as to produce convulsions and insanity that 

 may in some cases end in death. Even large audiences are some- 

 times so .panic-stricken by the cry of fire, or some other cause of 

 danger, as to seem insensible to reason. Under such circumstances, 

 many men and women become so demented that they are most 

 likely to do just what they should not. For example, they will try 

 to save things of no value, and leave valuable property to be de- 

 stroyed, throw mirrors and other fragile articles from upper story 

 windows, without realizing they must be broken ; be unable to dress, 

 or will get on garments the wrong way. etp 



(130) 



