Theism the New Nervous Disease

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 41, 20 September 1890, Page 4

Theism the New Nervous Disease

Attention has recently been drawn to a new nervous disorder said to be j especially prevalent in England and America. It is called " theism," or tea drinkdr'a disease, and is said to exist in three stages — the acute, subaoute, and chronic. At first the symptoms are congestion of the cepfialic vessels, cerebral excitement, and animation of the face. These phystoiogical effects being constaatly provoked, give rise, after awhile, to reaction marked by mental and bodily depression. The tea-drinker becomes impressionable and nervous, pale, subject to cardiac troubles, and seeks relief.f rom these symptoms in a further indulgence in the favourite beverage, which for a time restores to a. ,seuse of well-being. These " symptoms characterise the first 'two. stages^: In chronic cases, theism is characterised by a grave alteration of the functions of the heart, and of the vaßOimotorß, arid by a disturbance of nutrition; The patient becomes subto hallucinations, " nightmares," anjjl nervous trembling, With those who take ! pl&niy of exercise, an- habitual consutdptioa often may be indulged in with /"impunity, but with women and young people who follow sedentary occupations this is not the case. The^ies^treatment for 'theism is aaid to b% .indulgence in free exercise, Buch aslwalkirig, aridopeu-air lifei