last much longer. Now
you hear of a fever that has resulted from the over excitement, in some
way, brought on at school. And, again, the instance is that of a youth who
has already had to desist from his studies, and who, since he has returned
to them is frequently taken out of his class in a fainting fit.

Social pleasure also tends to weaken the system of parents who produce
nervous and weakened children. Another great cause of insanity is the
unnatural, improper and excessive use of the sexual organs, and diseases
that often come from indiscriminate sexual relations. General paresis is
very often caused by specific disease. I might go on and enlarge upon
these causes, but enough has been written to give warning to those who are
breaking nature's laws.

Classification.--There are many classifications. I will mention only the
leading names, such as Melancholia, Mania. Dementia, General Paresis.

MELANCHOLIA (Sad Mania).--Melancholia is a disease characterized by great
mental depression.

Causes--Predisposition, physical disease, dissipation, work and worry,
shock, brooding. In simple melancholia the mildest attack may be called
the "blues."

ACUTE MELANCHOLIA.--Is generally the result of some mental shock.

CHRONIC MELANCHOLIA is the end of all other forms of mental depression.
All these have their own peculiar manifestations and need a special line
of treatment.

MANIA.--This type of insanity means a raving and furious madness. There
are many cases of this kind. The causes are many and may be the same as
those which produce melancholia. In melancholia the shock, etc., causes
depression, while in the mania the causes of mental injury tend to produce
irritation and excitement. In dementia, the causes of insanity tend to
exhaust the body and to mental failure, while in general Paresis "the
shock of disease comes after long and unwise contact with worry, wine and
women." Insufficient sleep often causes mania. It often follows after
exhausting and irritating fevers. Long continued ill health, together with
worry, etc., may cause it.

NERVOUS DISEASES 313

To sum up, "mania" may result from any unusual shock or strain upon the
nervous system; or it may come after any unusual mental excitement in
business, politics or in religion. Such are the exciting or stimulating
causes, but we must go back of the presence of worldly misfortune and
trace the tendency to mental disorder through channe