Confessions of a Neurasthenic

The author's life-work having been such as to enable him to be especially observant, he can vouch for nearly every incident and statement recorded in this monograph as being based upon an actual experience, and therefore not merely the creation of something out of the whole cloth. In this instance, the neurasthenic is made to carry quite a heavy burden; thus, in a measure, suffering vicariously for the whole class to which he belongs.

The author has used his best efforts to tell his story in a happy vein, without padding and a multiplicity of words. The writing of it has been a task well mixed with pleasure, the latter of which it is hoped the reader may, in some small measure, share. The suggestions that are intended to be conveyed project between the lines, and therefore need no pointing out.

The one apology which the author desires to offer is for the constant repetition of the personal pronoun. This has been all along a matter of sincere regret to the author, but he saw no way of obviating it. It is a difficult matter to tell a story, when you are your own hero and villain, and keep down to a modest limit the ever-recurring I.

WILLIAM TAYLOR MARRS.

Peoria, Illinois.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Neurasthenic during his Infancy 1

II. The Perversity of his Childhood 7

III. As a Shiftless and Purposeless Youth 16

IV. His Pursuit of an Education 20

V. Tries to Find an Occupation Conducive to Health 27

VI. New Symptoms and the Pursuit of Health 35

VII. The Neurasthenic Falls in Love 42

VIII. Morbid Fears and Fancies 50

IX. Germs and How he Avoided Them. Appendicitis 55

X. Dieting for Health's Sake 63

XI. Tells of a Few New Occupations and Ventures 71

XII. Tries a New Business; also Travels some for his Health 77

XIII. Tries a Retired Life; is also an Investigator of New Thought, Christian Science, Hypnotic Suggestion 84

XIV. The Cultivation of a Few Vices and the Consequences 90

XV. Considers Politics and Religion. Consults Osteopathic and Homeopathic Doctors 94

XVI. Takes a Course in a Medical College 101

XVII. Turns Cow-boy. Has Run the Gamut of Fads 108

XVIII. Gives up the Task of Writing Confessions 113

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Nursing the baby 9

I was weaker than I really looked to be 11

My bump of continuity was poorly developed 21

I read up in the almanacs 29

Looking for new symptoms 33

Informed me I had psychasthenia anorexia 39

The wind was blowing a hurricane through my room 57

Good-night and good-bye 115

CHAPTER I.

THE NEURASTHENIC DURING HIS INFANCY.

The neurasthenic is born and not made to order, but it is only by assiduous cultivation that he can hope to become a finished product. To elucidate the fact presented by the latter half of the preceding sentence is the purpose of this little book.

In telling a story it is always best to begin at the beginning. I shall start by saying that I was born poor and without any opportunities, therefore I ought to have been able to accomplish almost anything. The reader will readily agree that the best inheritance that the average American boy can have is indigence and lack of opportunity. For getting on in the world and for carving out one's own little niche, nothing beats having poverty-stricken, but sensible and respectable parents. Many a fellow has been heard to deplore the lack of opportunities in his early youth when, in reality, nothing stood in his way, unless it may have been the rather unhandy handicap of being poor. Money may sometimes enable one to get recognition in the hall of fame, and sometimes it is instrumental in getting one's picture in the rogues' gallery.