THE ILLS THEY LOVE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1467, 15 June 1912, Page 11

THE ILLS THEY LOVE.

MORBIDITY OF WOMEN. Why is it (asks an Australian writer) that, on the slightest provocation, and indeed oftea enough with none, women are given to discussing- disease? It is a topic, .apparently, in season and out. On boats, in trains and trams, in any place where two or three women are gathered together, fragments of conversation bear the words "operation," "nurse," and often the names and qualifications of physicians and surgeons. It is the levelling topic, and women of all grades meet on it as a common plane. No one's maladies are safo; those of friends, relatives, aiid enemies aro just as interesting as the speaker's, nnd pathological details are apparently going io be numbered shortly iu the list of subjects which may be discussed at all times and under all conditions.

Probably this predilection is a sign of the times, though it should not bo so. Men, in confab, in their clubs, can amuse each other with all manner of interesting items, and it would bo quito safe to class as a confirmed pessimist the man who would bring forward for general airing the ailments which the flesh is heir to. It is a sign of the morbid mind, nnd our sex are the main transgressors. It is an old saying that,doctors are expected lo cure more maladies than ever existed, and auto-suggestion, brought about by idle chatter amongst women, is more often the' cause, of real maladies than any organic or predisposed maladies Again, the neurotic age in which we live has much to answer for. The modern woman has comparatively too little Jo do, and too much time in. which to do it. A generation or two ago, nerves and their ailments were almost unknown; consequently neuritis and neurasthenia were not fashionable. Appendicitis flourished under a name not nearly so high-toned or well-bred. and acceptable, and other diseases and physical drawbacks were censidered as being • subjects for doctors, nurses, arid the healing fraternity. Consequently, illnesses did not figure as fashionable habits, and women ,were healthy, because they/ were too much occupied to be ■ otherwise. However, the eternal'pathological, talk could easily be nipped in the bud if one or two strongminded women appointed 'themselves- as conversation censors.at gatherings and other centres where women do most congregate. It is, after all a habit, and one not s6 deeply ingrained that it docs not permit of remedy. When life offer's so-much that is joyous and beautiful for contemplation and discussion, it is a pity to voluntarily select the morbid, with its accompanying pernicious influence over mind and body.