Emotions Versus Health in Women

Emotions Versus Health in Women by Mary T. Bissell, M. D. WHEN the harassed and wretched Macbeth inquired of the doctor, "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?" his candid physician promptly disclaimed any such high qualifications. "Therein," said he, "the patient must minister to himself." It is possible that the modern physician would appear less modest under a similar interrogation, since modern hygiene claims the entire man for its operations, concerning itself not only with his physical, but also with his mental good. Keenly alive to the intimate relations existing between mind and body, it often throws upon the physician of to-day the responsibility of determining whether the remedy indicated be chemical or spiritual. This broad outlook embraces large and small interests, and may certainly include one feature in the training of women which, we believe, is opposed to her best growth and health. We refer to a tendency which exists in her education to an undue stimulation of her emotional nature.