Power Through Repose | Page 5

seems very much to hint, it cannot be too much when we
consider even briefly the results that have already come to us through
this very misuse of our own voluntary powers. The advertisements of
nerve medicines alone speak loudly to one who studies in the least
degree the physical tendencies of the nation. Nothing proves better the
artificial state of man, than the artificial means he uses to try to adjust
himself to Nature's laws,--means which, in most cases, serve to assist
him to keep up a little longer the appearance of natural life. For any
simulation of that which is natural must sooner or later lead to nothing,
or worse than nothing. Even the rest-cures, the most simple and
harmless of the nerve restorers, serve a mistaken end. Patients go with
nerves tired and worn out with misuse,--commonly called over-work.
Through rest, Nature, with the warm, motherly help she is ever ready to
bring us, restores the worn body to a normal state; but its owner has not
learned to work the machine any better,--to drive his horses more
naturally, or with a gentler hand. He knows he must take life more
easily, but even with a passably good realization of that necessity, he
can practise it only to a certain extent; and most occupants of rest-cures
find themselves driven back more than once for another "rest."
Nervous disorders, resulting from overwork are all about us. Extreme
nervous prostration is most prevalent. A thoughtful study of the faces
around us, and a better understanding of their lives, brings to light
many who are living, one might almost say, in a chronic state of
nervous prostration, which lasts for years before the break comes. And
because of the want of thought, the want of study for a better, more
natural use of the machine, few of us appreciate our own possible
powers. When with study the appreciation grows, it is a daily surprise,
a constantly increasing delight.
Extreme nervous tension seems to be so peculiarly American, that a
German physician coming to this country to practise became puzzled
by the variety of nervous disorders he was called upon to help, and
finally announced his discovery of a new disease which he chose to call
"Americanitis." And now we suffer from "Americanitis" in all its

unlimited varieties. Doctors study it; nerve medicines arise on every
side; nervine hospitals establish themselves; and rest-cures innumerable
spring up in all directions,--but the root of the matter is so
comparatively simple that in general it is overlooked entirely.
When illnesses are caused by disobedience to the perfect laws of
Nature, a steady, careful obedience to these laws will bring us to a
healthful state again.
Nature is so wonderfully kind that if we go one-tenth of the way, she
will help us the other nine-tenths. Indeed she seems to be watching and
hoping for a place to get in, so quickly does she take possession of us,
if we do but turn toward her ever so little. But instead of adopting her
simple laws and following quietly her perfect way, we try by every
artificial means to gain a rapid transit back to her dominion, and
succeed only in getting farther away from her. Where is the use of
taking medicines to give us new strength, while at the same time we are
steadily disobeying the very laws from the observance of which alone
the strength can come? No medicine can work in a man's-body while
the man's habits are constantly counteracting it. More harm than good
is done in the end. Where is the use of all the quieting medicines, if we
only quiet our nerves in order that we may continue to misuse them
without their crying out? They will cry out sooner or later; for Nature,
who is so quick to help us to the true way of living, loses patience at
last, and her punishments are justly severe. Or, we might better say, a
law is fixed and immovable, and if we disobey and continue to disobey
it, we suffer the consequences.

III.
REST IN SLEEP

HOW do we misuse our nervous force? First, let us consider, When
should the body be completely at rest? The longest and most perfect
rest should be during sleep at night. In sleep we can accomplish
nothing in the way of voluntary activity either of mind or body. Any
nervous or muscular effort during sleep is not only useless but
worse,--it is pure waste of fuel, and results in direct and irreparable
harm. Realizing fully that sleep is meant for rest, that the only gain is

rest, and that new power for use comes as a consequence,--how absurd
it seems that we do not abandon ourselves completely to gaining all
that Nature would give