Eugene’s dedication to others had affected his health.
The state I find myself in is an extraordinary one and calls for prompt treatment. It consists in an absolute apathy to all that concerns me directly; it seems that when I ought to move on from service of neighbour to consideration of myself, it seems I say that I have no more energy, I am completely exhausted, dried up, unable even to think.
Retreat notes, May 1818, O.W. XV, n. 145
In reality, Eugene’s health had been more of a concern for those around him than for himself. Looking at his mother’s anxiety at the way in which he overworked himself he wrote with a touch of humour:
I must try to dissuade her from the idea that I want to kill myself.
Summary of retreat resolutions, May 1818, O.W. XV, n. 146
The first part of 1818 saw Eugene tired and prone to illness. His uncle, Father Fortuné de Mazenod was living in the house with him and noted some of these in his letters to Eugene’s father in Marseille.
Eugene, despite the enormous weight of his occupations, is not doing badly. His only suffering at this moment is a considerable flow of blood caused by hemorrhoids.
I never cease to point out to him how essential it is to moderate his zeal in all respects and to light a fire that will last, but often I speak to deaf ears.
Letter of Fortuné de Mazenod to Eugene’s father, 30 January 1818, OMI General Archives F.B. V, 1-7
Two weeks later Fortuné notes that Eugene had been sick:
Eugene is getting better each day. He was able to say Mass yesterday and today, and he begins to regain his strength, exhausted by work and by fasting… We finally have him where we want him and he will have to obey.”
Letter of Fortuné de Mazenod to Eugene’s father, 17 February 1818, OMI General Archives F.B. V, 1-7
And the next day:
Eugene no longer has any symptoms and continues to get better by putting limits to his zeal and by taking more food and sleep. I feel that this has worried him a little and upset some of his ideas on piety. But he must give everything its proper value and not try to be wise beyond measure, as St. Paul says. Otherwise, before he reaches the age of 40, he will have become useless for the Church and he will only be capable of occupying a bed in the company of those who are incurably ill.
Letter of Fortuné de Mazenod to Eugene’s father, 18 February 1818, OMI General Archives F.B. V, 1-7
Two weeks later:
Eugene did not have mumps as was first thought, it was only a swelling of the neck caused by nervous tension … It has decreased in recent days and his physical condition has improved significantly. No more indigestion, no more insomnia, no more Lenten practices, in a word he is better and is recovering from his lack of prudence. We had little difficulty in persuading him to take more food, rest and sleep and eventually, with the grace of God, we have overcome.
Letter of Fortuné de Mazenod to Eugene’s father, 1 March 1818, OMI General Archives F.B. V, 1-7
Eugene’s own version of the situation was:
I seriously looked for the means to escape the too pressing attentions that charity suggests to some who are overly-afraid I will fall ill once again. I was indignant to have such a fuss made over me…
Retreat notes, May 1818, O.W. XV, n. 145