TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

“ Change of Scene 99 and Health “ ‘Change of scene’ is an old prescription and ‘rest’ is an older one, as old as the Sabbath,” says The Lancet. “But change of scene is nowadays interpreted as a psychological, not a geographical and climatic affair; and rest is a qualified notion, implying rest (change) from one’s usual activities rather than the utter rest of quasi-stupor. It might be expected that the psychologists and psychiatrists would have something to say about all this; the psychology of industry has had much occasion to study the need of rest and tho forms rest should take, and the psychiatrist is continually dealing with jaded people. Ordering people away for the sake of their nerves has been a well-known function of the physician. But it is decidedly unusual in our days for the psychiatrist to advise a sea voyage—or travel of any kind- —as a remedy for the surfeit and weariness of neurotic depression. In general, it is not change of scene as an end in itself that is of value in his eyes but rather change of milieu (such as might be attained while one stayed at home) whereby one escapes from emotional bonds and complexities, from harmful associations, reminders, habits.”