a small amount of wine or spirits is a
temporary aid, and sometimes its habitual use is begun in this way.
Stimulants only make a bad matter worse when their use is continued for
any considerable length of time. The sufferer becomes more and more
dependent upon them and the nervous exhaustion is much aggravated as
large quantities are taken to satisfy the morbid craving that has been
acquired.

WAKEFULNESS, OR INSOMNIA, is present in many cases; in others, there is
unusual drowsiness but sleep gives neither rest nor strength; often it
is disturbed by dreams that exhaust the vitality and leave the patient
more tired than when rest was sought.

HEADACHE is one of the most annoying symptoms and sometimes is very
persistent. It may incapacitate the patient for the ordinary duties of
life. After laying down awhile and being quiet, the headache may be
relieved, but recurs on attempting to go about.

FRETFULNESS. Sometimes, owing to the discomfort experienced, there is
likely to be a change of disposition, irritability of temper,
fretfulness and peevishness; a tendency to an irascibility all out of
proportion to the real provocation. In many cases there is dizziness,
and frequently noises in the head, ringing in the ears, spots before the
eyes, twitching of the muscles, eyelids or eye muscles, and at times
dimness of vision, or sudden spells when the sight is not satisfactory.
At times there is a feeling of discomfort, as if the quantity of good
air were not sufficient to aerate the blood, and there is sighing or a
desire to sit in an open window, or a strong desire to be fanned. The
pulse and temperature are usually normal, or a little below, but may
rise if any local irritation exists. At times the face is flushed and at
others pale. The skin may be dry, or in other cases bathed in
perspiration on slight exertion or mental worry. When there is weakness
of the nervous system, the disease manifests itself through various
organs. Hence, the palpitation of the heart, dyspepsia or acute attacks
of indigestion, with colicky pains and heaviness after meals, with
eructations or belchings of gas, or local discomfort and unnatural
action affecting, at different times, almost every organ of the body. It
is well known that insanity may result from the loss of sleep and
constant brooding over the symptoms that the patient fails to properly
understand.

TREATMENT.

In no class of diseases is greater care, scientific knowledge and