"BRAIN RUST."

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3043, 16 January 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

"BRAIN RUST."

The first of the autumn course of Sunday afternoon lectures at St. George's Hill, Langham place, was given by Kir James Crichton-Browne, who took for his subjeot "Brain Rust," The drift of the whole lecture was that nerve tissue, like muscle tissue, deteriorates if it is not used. One brain example referred to was that of a duck. The domesticated duck was, the lecturer said, so cared for that in comparison with the wild duck it had less to think abotit and it had a smaller brain. The wild duck had everything to think about for itself nnd its little ones. The same kind of action could be seen among men. He thought that many existing races were deteriorated races —deteriorated, from over success as a nation, leading to that laziness audselfindulgenco which resulted in a want of use of the brain. One of the worst things that could happen to a nation or an individual was to retrograde in brain activity. He had seen many men active in middle life, successful in commerco, and retiring with a comfortable competency to "enjoy life," who had fallen ill, and prematurely died from the balance of the animal organisation being upset through subsequent brain inactivity. Ono reward for the philosopher who did not too rapidly use up his energies was that ho attained old ago. Many of our jud.res wore excellent illustrations of old age with mental vigour. While he deprecated over-pressure for the young, he equally deprecated compulsory retirement from active life, even with the solace of a handsome pension. The lecturer guvo the names of many philosophers —Locke, Gallilloo, Nowton, etc, —who had attained old age.—lt was no use, ho put it, our setting our hearts on being " nitrate kings," but wo could all use our brains. The happiest men were those who scorned luxurious ease and sought to lead laborious days. We all too much wanted what we imagine are our "comforts."