So evident are the various, the numberless perversions of our powers in the misuse of the machine, that it seems almost unnecessary to write of them.  And yet, from another point of view, it is very necessary; for superabundant as they are, thrusting their evil results upon us every day in painful ways, still we have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, and for want of a fuller realization of these most grievous mistakes, we are in danger of plunging more and more deeply into the snarls to which they bring us.  From nervous prostration to melancholia, or other forms of insanity, is not so long a step.

It is of course a natural sequence that the decadence of an entire country must follow the waning powers of the individual citizens.  Although that seems very much to hint, it cannot be too much when we consider even briefly the results that have already come to us through this very misuse of our own voluntary powers.  The advertisements of nerve medicines alone speak loudly to one who studies in the least degree the physical tendencies of the nation.  Nothing proves better the artificial state of man, than the artificial means he uses to try to adjust himself to Nature’s laws,-means which, in most cases, serve to assist him to keep up a little longer the appearance of natural life.  For any simulation of that which is natural must sooner or later lead to nothing, or worse than nothing.  Even the rest-cures, the most simple and harmless of the nerve restorers, serve a mistaken end.  Patients go with nerves tired and worn out with misuse,-commonly called over-work.  Through rest, Nature, with the warm, motherly help she is ever ready to bring us, restores the worn body to a normal state; but its owner has not learned to work the machine any better,-to drive his horses more naturally, or with a gentler hand.  He knows he must take life more easily, but even with a passably good realization of that necessity, he can practise it only to a certain extent; and most occupants of rest-cures find themselves driven back more than once for another “rest.”

Nervous disorders, resulting from overwork are all about us.  Extreme nervous prostration is most prevalent.  A thoughtful study of the faces around us, and a better understanding of their lives, brings to light many who are living, one might almost say, in a chronic state of nervous prostration, which lasts for years before the break comes.  And because of the want of thought, the want of study for a better, more natural use of the machine, few of us appreciate our own possible powers.  When with study the appreciation grows, it is a daily surprise, a constantly increasing delight.

Extreme nervous tension seems to be so peculiarly American, that a German physician coming to this country to practise became puzzled by the variety of nervous disorders he was called upon to help, and finally announced his discovery of a new disease which he chose to call “Americanitis.”  And now we suffer from “Americanitis” in all its unlimited varieties.  Doctors study it; nerve medicines arise on every side; nervine hospitals establish themselves; and rest-cures innumerable spring up in all directions,-but the root of the matter is so comparatively simple that in general it is overlooked entirely.

When illnesses are caused by disobedience to the perfect laws of Nature, a steady, careful obedience to these laws will bring us to a healthful state again.

Nature is so wonderfully kind that if we go one-tenth of the way, she will help us the other nine-tenths.  Indeed she seems to be watching and hoping for a place to get in, so quickly does she take possession of us, if we do but turn toward her ever so little.  But instead of adopting her simple laws and following quietly her perfect way, we try by every artificial means to gain a rapid transit back to her dominion, and succeed only in getting farther away from her.  Where is the use of taking medicines to give us new strength, while at the same time we are steadily disobeying the very laws from the observance of which alone the strength can come?  No medicine can work in a man’s-body while the man’s habits are constantly counteracting it.  More harm than good is done in the end.  Where is the use of all the quieting medicines, if we only quiet our nerves in order that we may continue to misuse them without their crying out?  They will cry out sooner or later; for Nature, who is so quick to help us to the true way of living, loses patience at last, and her punishments are justly severe.  Or, we might better say, a law is fixed and immovable, and if we disobey and continue to disobey it, we suffer the consequences.