Hygiene of the Quiet Mind

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 10

Hygiene of the Quiet Mind

; *JyJOISF lias increased tremendously of late years, whereas the capacity to absorb it without prejudice to icalth and happiness has probably diminished," said Lord Horder, the eminent physician, in a speech reported in the Birmingham Post. "There has come upon us, as the result of increased motor traffic, aeroplanes and louder forms of amusement, a spate of uncontrolled noise for the suppression of which we must organise. It is as necessary that we be saved from the nerve-racking effect:/ of noise ns that we shall secure air ;uu\ light and freedom from tiny infectious diseases.

"The argument that, our nerves are resilient and can adapt themselves to all this din is fallacious. Noise docs not kill, as foul tlir and typhoid and diphtheria does, but it does wear down Ihe nervous system, which is the master stuff of our bodies, and it does stultify our spirit, which is supposed to be the element that marks us oft from the beasts and that can alone give us the masterv over life.

"There arc plenty of other stresses end strains in life that, make domands upon us. Why ask our nerve stuff to stand this additional strain, so much of which is the result of thoughtlessness, selfishness and stupidtv?

•'We refuse to have our sleep murdered by those who, able to spend their own days in bed, make our nights hideous. It is not 'night starvation that spoils our sleep, but tlu! laceration of nerves' by car exhausts and loud speakers.

''l am convinced that this campaign against unnecessary noise and provocative noise is worth while. T think we really are going to make a solid contribution to human welfare and happiness and culture in the best sense by our efforts to secure 'the hygiene of the quiet mind."