, 1868-02-07
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How to Keep Warm


Ed. STATESMAN Ally neighbor says
that the best way to keep warm is to build a
rousing FIRE and sit before it. Allvcry good.
But in this country wood is dear, and br>
sides We cannot always all of us stayin the
house, 20 that it is necessary to discover
some other means BY which We may keep
comfortable. Parti, lily, at least, we can
overcome the, ELECTS of -this silent monster,
Jack Frost, by a due attention to the laws
of Physiology. Let US then consider what
are these. laws, and whence are some of the
sources Of animal heat e - s-rITF f.Yg
First, Respiration is closely connected
with this subject. Chemistry teaches that
FIRE cannot be produced without certain
amount of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Wood, tallOW or oil furnishes the carbon
and hydrogen, while the oxygen is obtained
from the air, and when by any means one of
these clements is wanting, combustion eeas>
es; as when the air is shut of from the FIRE
in an air>tight stove the FIRE gees oui. The
same principle holds true in the production
of animal heat The food furnishes the car
bon and hydrogen, which by means Of the
digestive organs is converted into blood,
while the air furnishes the oxygen. These
are brought together in the lungs, and car.
red by the blood vessels throughout the
system Hence we see that our food should
be of such character as circumstances in>
dicate. During the cold weather it should
be stimulating, that is, it should contain
considerable carbon and hydrogen. Meat
and fatty substances contain these ingrcdi-
ents and consequently are healthy. Thus
we find that the Greenlander eats his meat
and even blubbcr and oil, while the inhabit-
ants of The tOrid zone live almost exclusively
on a vegetable diet, which is less stimula-
ting. The air, too, which We breathe, should
be pure, and the lungs should be expanded
so as to receive large quantity into the sys-
TEN. Thus fishes, as they breathe water, Oh
tain but little oxygen, and are cold blooded,
while whales which live in the same element
but come to the surface and breathe air,
have temperature equal to that Of man;
and birdr, which of all anima's have the lar
gest lungs in proportion to their size, have
the highest temperature.
Second, Exercise is closely Joined to the
subject since by means of the increased &C,
tion of the muscles, the blood is sent cours-
ing through the veins at a greater speed,
more air is inhaled, and greater amount of
heat is produced.
Third, The brain and nerves affect the
temperature of the body, for when part of
the body becomes paralyzed aud the nerves
cease to act, the part affected becomes SEN
Siblv ooI1ar 60 m, hon rho lind !, do,rossoJ
BY sorrow, or affected by great fear, the
breathing becomes slow and chiliness en>
sues; but on the other hand when joyous
and agreeable emotions perVade the mind,
the breathing becomes quicker, and the body
warmer. When asleep too, the nervous sy5-
TEN ceases partially to act, and consequently
more clothing is required
Fourth, Good health increases the warmth
of the system. In a healthy person the
changes among the particles of the body are
produce1 much quicker and more heat is
generated; hence a due observance of the
general laws OF health, and especially of a
clear skin, is obvious.
Fifth, But if person cannot keep warm
in any other way, use the more clolhing.
Cold feet, cold hands aud cold bodies are not
only uncomfortable, but actually uuheathy,
md unless prevented in some way will lead !
10 disease and permanent suffering.
Thus to sum up, we find these things are
essential to comfort in cold weather: Proper
food, pure air, sufficient exercise, a sound |
brain, good health and clean skin, accom-
panied with enough clothes aud a blazing
ire if you can get it. NJ.