Our Nervous Friends

"It is refreshing to find a new treatment for an old subject. It is a job to find a wholesome method of treating nervous traits, inherited or acquired, and Dr. Robert. S. Carroll of Asheville, North Carolina, has certainly found a way to present a wide range of nervous disorders and a wonderfully effective way of revealing the possibility of saving practically every phase of nervous misdirection. It is a book of twenty-three (What a choice of number!) exceedingly interesting true...
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"It is refreshing to find a new treatment for an old subject. It is a job to find a wholesome method of treating nervous traits, inherited or acquired, and Dr. Robert. S. Carroll of Asheville, North Carolina, has certainly found a way to present a wide range of nervous disorders and a wonderfully effective way of revealing the possibility of saving practically every phase of nervous misdirection. It is a book of twenty-three (What a choice of number!) exceedingly interesting true stories from real life and each a great lesson, sometimes of the wrong way and sometimes of the right way. Dr. Carroll has made a study of nerves and nervousness. In the course of his professional work thousands of interesting cases have come under his care and observation and out of his successful treatment of them he has deduced certain fundamental principles. These principles have been made the basis of the chapters of this book." -The Journal of Education, Volumes 91-92, January 1, 1920

"'The Mastery of Nervousness,' based upon the reeducation of self, was published in 1918. The theme of the book was humanity's adjustment to things, people, and self. In a practical way was recommended a common-sense living - simple diet, mental and physical exercise, and a proper control of the emotions. In the present volume real people, whose lives have been made unhappy from morbid mental habits, and who have suffered much because of physical ill developed from errors of living, are pictured. It is a forceful illustration of the principles advocated in 'The Mastery of Nervousness.' The author uses the narrative style and makes a bit of a story. In this interesting way many truths are convincingly displayed; and in the clear, definite portrayal of his characters, lessons in right living are revealed. As a companion to the former volume it is indispensable. As a volume by itself, it is full of interest and vital truths." -American Journal of Nursing, Volume 20, October, 1919

"The stories are capital pen and ink sketches of people we meet every day, and whose autointoxication we tolerate with boredom and contempt. We recognize them; the thing is, to make them recognize themselves, and, to this end, Doctor Carroll delicately strips away their willful ignorance and shows the ungraciousness, the hideousness, of adding to the world's discomfort by assuming failings or vices to the hurting of our fellow men. The Neurotic, The Nervously Damaged Mother, The Willing Illness, The Suffering of Self Pity, The Slave of Conscience, The Crime of Inactivity, Emotional Tyranny, are some of the stories which may touch the flabby conscienced neurasthenics and neurotics, and the term 'nervous,' on the title page will not, perhaps, scare from reading, because, as a rule, they are mighty proud of 'not having a whole nerve in (their) body,' or being 'just a mass of nerves.' They will not be pleased to find themselves regarded, not as objects of pity, but as public malefactors destroying peace and weakening others." -International Record of Medicine and General Practice Clinics, Volume 111, January, 1920

"A most readable book...to those who may be already starting in the downward path of 'nerves' a hint or a shock that will open their eyes to the danger and save them even on the brink of the precipice." -Medical Record, Volume 97, January 3, 1920