Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/105

 PREVENTION OF MENTAL DISEASES 9 1

especially with young children, boys as well as girls. Too frequently certain children, at a moment when the intelligence and judgment are still far from maturity of mental powers, are surfeited with devotional exercises, and their faculties are held to a given point, to the neglect of instruction in other duties to which all men are called. In a general manner education ought to fit for a life in the different directions which people must fol- low here below in order to occupy with dignity their places in society. Education insufficient for these purposes renders a man incomplete and unhappy and exposed to the inconveniences which occur from imperfection in the education of the senses. Many times the obstacles arising from education have disturbed the nervous system of men, and the asylums for the insane inclose many such victims. Religion should be taught practically and should not be introspective. Many persons trouble their brains with ideas they cannot follow ; they feel disturbed and they often disturb others trying to find solutions which cannot be discovered.

CHOICE OF A CAREER.

Young men gradually arrive at an age which requires a cer- tain preoccupation, the choice of a career, of a profession. Girls generally manifest this preoccupation in a less degree. This preoccupation may increase when the parents do not give care to the matter and do not help the children in making a choice. Often by force of circumstances a happy situation of the parents takes away the difficulty. But in another situation, what can be done ? Even then the selection is easy if the young man is well endowed physically and mentally ; but if any hereditary or acquired defect exists, the choice becomes more difficult, and demands not only all the attention of relatives and educators, but also of the person interested. Any profession which involves great responsibilities ought to be discarded. The future is to be considered and the obstacles which will be met. Very fre- quently one has seen men succumb who had not a nervous system vigorous enough to cope with the difficulties of the profession. A really nervous man ought to make choice of a