Effect of Modern Life.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 4, 22 January 1913, Page 3

Effect of Modern Life.

6i Modern life is much more likely fu drive people insane than the primitive antique life,” said Dr. F- "'• Mott, F.R.S., to a meeting of the Sociological Society at the Royal Society of Arts, in London the other night. “Competition in examination or business acts as an irritant, which sends men and women off’ their mental balance. ” Dr* Mott also expressed his anxiety that no one should take disappointments in love too much to heart. It is a strain which sends recruits to the asylums, just as extreme grief or extreme hate are liable to do. Again, in our complicated competitive existence there is a frequent break-up of homes, and this produces shocks from which many minds do not recover.” The doctor paid a compliment to “’Appy ’Amstead.” It has only three insane people registered per thousand, while Bloomsbury has 10.fi. Westminster has 10.1. and the Strand 10.11. The lecturer concluded that it is in the "fast life” of the West-end of London that insanity is prominently enforced. A number of contradictory pedigrees were thrown on the screen to show that, after all. research cannot, clearly establish k the transmission of. insanity. Thus q genius is developed from an insane stock >ide by fiide with a suicide, an epileptic, apd a tubercular patient. Dr. Mott concluded by stating that on the whole .the apparent increase of modern insanity was an increase of registration and retention