. xx
Misce et fiant pilulae no. xx
Sig.: One or two three times a day, after meals.

As far as the minor symptoms are concerned, the disease is usually chronic,
for as soon as one symptom has been overcome another takes its place, and
there is little hope of cure save when the case is taken vigorously in hand
in childhood, treatment being best given in a home or hospital. Home
treatment consists in an attempt to inculcate the lost or never-acquired
habit of self-control, and in the hygienic measures laid down for
neuropaths in general in the rest of this book.

In a major attack, _show no sympathy_. Let every one leave the room, save
one attendant, whom the victim knows to be of firm character, and calm but
determined disposition. This attendant should get a jug of water, and
threaten to douche the victim unless she makes vigorous efforts to control
herself. If she cannot, or will not, _douche her_, then hold a towel over
her nose and mouth, and she will perforce cease her gymnastics to breathe,
though the attendant must be prepared for an outburst of abuse when she has
recovered her breath. Between attacks, all who are brought into contact
with the victim, must adopt a tolerant but unsympathetic attitude, while
efforts are made to inculcate habits of control.

* * * * *

CHAPTER IX

ADVICE TO NEUROPATHS

"Great temperance, open air,
Easy labour, little care."

The above quotation epitomizes the cure for neurasthenia, for as Huxley
said:

"Our life, fortune, and happiness depend on our knowing something of
the rules of a game far more complicated than chess, which has been
played since Creation; every man, woman and child of us being one of
the players in a game of our own. The board is the world, the pieces
the phenomena of the universe, while the rules of the game are the laws
of nature. Though our opponent is hidden, we know his play is fair,
just and patient, but we also know to our sorrow that he never
overlooks a mistake or makes the slightest allowance for ignorance. To
the man who plays well, the highest stakes are paid with that
overflowing generosity with which the strong show their delight in
strength. The one who plays badly is checkmated; without haste, but
without remorse. Ignorance is visited as sharply a as wilful
disobedience; incapacity meets with the same punishment as crime."

In many cases som