eir functions in a proper
manner, and, when done, permit them to retire to rest.

With the complicated human structure, when disease takes hold, we have
the same troubles that would be presented were the telegraph operators
suddenly to become ill. What confusion and discord would prevail! If the
sickness is severe enough to cause delirium, it would be as though
madmen were at the telegraph keys dispatching trains of passenger cars
which could hardly fail to bring injury and destruction to unwary
travelers.

In health, we are unaware of the work of the nerves. The wheels of life
move without noise. Few realize that the cavities of the heart (auricles
and ventricles) are contracting steadily and alternately under the
guidance of nerve cells. By this means the stream of blood, laden with
nourishment, is sent to every part of the body.

Silently the stomach pours out, under nerve influence, its juices that
dissolve and change parts of the food, that it may pass into the blood
in condition to nourish. In a similar way, the pancreas pours out a
fluid that digests the fats.

The muscular fibres of the intestines are caused to contract
rhythmically and force along the bolus of digested food, so that its
soluble parts may be taken up by the minute absorbent vessels to enrich
the blood.

All these things of most vital importance we know least about. They go
on, from day to day, without our being aware of the work done.

Let something interfere with the process, and how quickly is the
sensation changed. Few there are who have not felt the agony of colic
pain, due to stoppage of digestion. What suffering is greater than the
sense of awful suffocation from a heart that is not acting well?

These are only familiar illustrations of a thousand and one distressing
derangements and symptoms that come from exhaustion and prostration of
the nervous system.

* * * * *

NERVOUS DEBILITY OR EXHAUSTION.

This affection, also popularly known as Nervous Prostration, or Nervous
Weakness, and, to the medical profession, as Neurasthenia, or Nervous
Asthenia, is becoming alarmingly prevalent.

The wear, tear and strain of modern life are concentrated upon the
nervous system. The care and consequent fret, worry and labor of this
age are greater than ever before known.

The result of this extreme activity, is exhaustion and weakness.
Physical bankruptcy is the result of drawing incessantly upon the