THE STRESS OF LIFE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 92, 4 September 1912, Page 5

THE STRESS OF LIFE

NERVOUS DISORDERS. THE HEALTH OP THE COMMUNITY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). Wellington, Last Night. One of the questions' put to medical practitioners by the Cost of Living Commission was: "If the cost of licing, due to high rents, costly food, etc., ig on the increase, would that account for a higher rate of nervous or mental disease?" Dr. Collins replied: "Yes, partly; but I think that the higher rate of nervous disease is due much more to the greater stress of life. The mental strain in most businesses is much greater now than it used to be." In his reply, Dr. Mickle said: "When the earnings are only sufficient to maintain the home there must be some anxiety as to ways and means for the future, but so long as a man or a woman has good average health they are not depressed by such a responsibility, it is when the nervous system is weakened or depressed from any cause that worry begins. Good health naturally carries with it a hopeful disposition, but when the health is impaired mental depression is apt to follow. I cannot say that hard work or some hard times are* a real cause of mental disease or nervous disorder. When this ensues there is probably a constitutional tendency or ethical canse in that direction, so that I cannot answer this question in the affirmative. There is apparently a considerable increase in the number of cases afflicted with mental disorders. I have noted that in many of these cases it is self-inflicted by some form of dissipation. It must be remembered that side by side with the increased cost of living wages have advanced in an equal ratio. The altered conditions have pressed more heavily on some members of the professional classes, and on those of moderate independent means." >

TENDENCY TO DISEASE. NOW AND TWENTY YEARS AGO. "Speaking generally, is there a greater tendency to disease in the average man and woman than was the ease twenty years ago?" This, was one of the questions sent by the Cost of Living Commission to medical practitioners. Dr, Collins replied in the negative. Dr. Mickle, of Christehurch, said: "I should sjiy decidedly not. I believe that the health of the people is much better than it was twenty years ago, notwithstanding some disadvantages. The latter is chiefly caused by improper diet and' bad habits. The general condition, of the people is better. They- are better housed, understand the value of fresh air by day and night, and I believe, upon the whole, pay more attention 'to cookery and to food generally. The people are more alert, more sensitive and observant, and, in a word, more alive and more thoughtful and study to make more out of their lives, and to watch more carefully over their health and that of their families. But I must add that many are apt to rely too much on their own opinion in matters of health; and do not resort to the advice of the doctor as early and as frequently as they should, and sometimes this neglect has disastrous results. I have seen, many lives absolutely lost for want of seeking timely advice. Upon the whole, I think that the improved conditions of living, the better houses, the better knowledge of how to live and the higher value set upon human life will continue to raise the standard of health and happiness and enjoyment of -the whole of the people. Unfortunately there are still some dread diseases which baffle the most skilful healers in the world, but the general advance in medical and surgical knowledge has been so great, and much of this is communicable to the people, that diseases have been robbed of many of their terrors and can be often prevented. JL miglit add that I think there is an increase in some nervous disorders, but I repeat emphatically that the general standard of health has' improved during the past fifteen years. In the case of mothers of families I must, however; admit that I have observed many cases of general ill-health. Often . the mother cannot obtain sufficient rest, and, what is of great value, change )of air and environment at suitable periods. One of the most urgent needs of the community is convalescent homes for adults and children, cither free or at'a moderate charge. Such homes would contribute much to the improved health of the-peo-ple. I consider that overvonc should resort to to a change jtt least once a year, but the greatest value of change of air, either to the seaside or to the hills,'is after an illness. Its results are then often quite magical." 1