With the poor, scanty comforts, divided among increasing numbers, become positive want and give rise to the same desire. With such ideas permeating all classes of society, it is no wonder that our newspapers are continually filled with cases of unfortunates who have lost their lives through trusting themselves to professional abortionists. The cases published, however, are but the smallest fraction of those who live through similar operations. Yet, while escaping immediate death, multitudes have their constitutions undermined, and sow the seed of future mental disease.
The general shock to the nervous system is often too great to be rallied from, and after years of suffering they at last sink into hopeless melancholia. Nature’s laws are inexorable, and this is but one of numerous instances where the offender finds that the punishment is severe and unavoidable.
Another cause, less universally effective, is the increasing prevalence of cigarette smoking among children. Of the evil effects of this habit upon all classes, there can be no doubt, but when it is formed and indulged in by children ranging from toddlers of four to youths of fifteen, the injury must be tenfold increased. The poison of nicotine is especially powerful in its effects upon the developing nervous system, as is proven by the pinched faces and dwarfed forms of the numerous street arabs of all large cities, who almost from babyhood are devotes to this habit.
That the depression of this poison plunges many into insanity is proven by hospital reports; that the numbers here recorded, however, do not anywhere near represent all the causes so produced is also without doubt, as in many the disease is assigned to some other direct cause, while in reality the first seeds might be traced to this habit. The laws enacted for the lessening of this evil are most needed, and every physician should do his utmost to enforce them, else the mental wrecks from this cause must yearly increase.
Disappointed ambition, the dissipations of fashionable life, with too little sleep, too little exercise, and too constant confinement within doors, irregularity in eating and drinking; in fact, an almost incalculable number of agencies might be named which, while, slight in their individual effect, in the aggregate produce a most powerful depressing influence upon the general system, rendering it hypersensitive to any direct exciting cause, and tending to overthrow the reason, dry up the sparking fountains of joy and hope, and substitute the waters of bitterness and despair.
How is this increasing tide of evil influence to be stemmed? Can nothing be done to shield the masses from these pernicious influences? Must multitudes of melancholiacs continue to daily swarm into our hospitals and sanitariums or seek rest in suicide? Are we simply to stand still and hopelessly look on? Certainly, the general medical profession need not be powerless in the face of these appalling facts. A successful crusade could be waged if the profession were once aroused to its duty. The ignorance and thoughtlessness of the people is one great cause of so many offences against nature’s laws.
Our mission must be educational as well as curative. Let the community, through the high school and college, be taught regarding hygiene and the general laws of health. Impress upon the masses, wealthy and poor, educated and ignorant alike, that nature is merciless in her punishment of transgressors of her laws. Teach men that attacks of hopelessness and despair which so often cloud the mental horizon are but the reflex of disordered natural functions and nature’s warnings against violations of her laws. Teach men how to live when in health, and each year melancholia will become less and less common, and soon suicide will be unknown.
