What is neurasthenia? What segment of nineteenth-century American society was most likely to be afflicted with neurasthenia?
George Beard coined the word neurasthenia. It was a condition characterized by insomnia, headache, hypochondria, and brain collapse. It was similar to a nervous breakdown. James called it Americanitis.
Beard blamed punctuality for the disease. He said that mostly the brain workers were afflicted by this condition. It was more pronounced in the northern and eastern states. Beard said that the condition caused depletion of nervous energy. The urge to do something, even when unconsciousness leads to this condition.
Spencer gave a speech at a famous restaurant about the notion of working at a frantic pace. He said that in the American population, the affluent personalities were endangering their lives by mental stress.
The symptoms of neurasthenia spread rapidly and the major afflicted populations were the educated and affluent people. James had even said that in New England, there would not be a single person who had reached 35 years of age without wanting to kill himself.
A drug named Americanitis Elixir was developed by the Rexall Drug Company. It promised to deliver an antidote to the ongoing menace. It was used to treat exhaustion, nervous breakdowns, and other symptoms.
To the educated females who suffered from Americanitis, 6 weeks of bed rest with social life was recommended. They had to go on a high fat diet. While the men were advised to travel and do some kind of adventurous sports.