Читать книгу Old Age Deferred. The causes of old age and its postponement by hygienic and therapeutic measures онлайн

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Neurasthenia is a disease which, as we have tried to show, is very often based upon changes in the ductless glands, especially the thyroid, sexual glands, and pituitary body. The same holds good for hysteria. Therefore the presence of such conditions will influence us in our judgment as to the future of such persons. In cases of great nervousness, especially when associated with mental depression, there is less resistance to infection, for causes already mentioned (see ssss1 and ssss1). Great mental excitability may predispose to certain diseases which shorten life, like diabetes, and in people in whom, owing to an unstable nervous system, there is a frequent increase in the blood-pressure, the possibility of apoplexy is to be feared, if such persons are of a plethoric build. The wear and tear of life is certainly far more felt by persons whose minds are very easily impressed and excited by events of little importance; and, considering the great influence of mind upon body, persons, who like a weak tree are easily beaten down by the smallest storm, will have less chance of long life than persons who have a better control over themselves and stronger will-power (see “Hygienics of the Mind,” Chapter L).