Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-09-07
rho Nerves and " Tone"

ia the source Of this i-ritabi,ity
"a ,srders it impossible to keep the
T. sli|l, We can answer, in general,
;rri,ability means weakness sit is a
isrcy 70 too easy an overthrow OF the
.os IN which the living textures exist ;
..cessiye action arises from too rapid
sss A philosophical physician COM
N the whirling movement OF the
I.of watch of which the main spring
shan. and the eminent French exper-
u,a,ist N. Claude Bernard, has thrown
NJ On this mi ion by pointing out
y. unnatural proneness to activity ex
= eysry organ of living animal at
n Immediately preceding the death OF
osrt In our ply steal, as in our moral
r. strength is calm, patient, orderly |;
.lness hurries, cannot be at rest, at
-. too much. The force which, in the
10 frame, binds up the elements into
.s;c forms, being relaxed, too easily
mits them to sink down, and Intellectual
mirries of energy ensue.
n how is living strength to be insured
r,snect to the functions we have spoken
The laws we have been tracing give
martial answer to this question.
myth in the living body is maintained
ibe full but natural exercise of each or
ard as we have seen, the action of
. nortions Of the nervous system is
h. dependent upon the influences con-
al to them by the sensitive nerves dis
brted over the various parts Of the body.
4 snong these the nerves passing to the
n are the chief. The full access Of all
(lthy stimuli to the surface, and its free.
q from all that irritates or impedes its
(ctions, are the first external conditions
the normal vigor of this nervous cir
Among these stimuli, fresh air and
\ water hold the first place. Sufficient
3rmtb is second. The great and even
Spderful advantages of cleanliness are
Ely refarsble to the direct influence of
Kin healthily active, open to all the
ural stimuli and free from morbid irri-
ol, upon the nerve centers Of which
the appointed excitant. This influ-
3 is altogether distinct from those
snsing functions which the healthy
Performs for the blood, and in any
estimate of its value is far too impor-
to be overlooked.
ia. STATE of general vigor which we
tone also depends upon the healthy
On Of these nervous centers. II con-
in an habitual moderate contraction
be muscles, due to constant stimulus
ta on them by the spinal cord, and is
iSe less for itself than as sign of
Iervous balance. Tone is main
aWtly by healthful impressions ra-
I'd pon the spinal cord, through the
III from all parts of the body, aid
Jby the stimulus poured down upon
hn the brain. So it is disturbed by
ever conveys irritating or depressing
krces in either direction. A single in
|dous meal, sleeplcss night, a single |
Jon or piece of bad news will destroy
ON the other hand, vivid hope, a
iul resolve, an absorbing interest,
nstore it as if by magic. For in
these lower officers in the nervous
nchy draw their very breath accord
10 the biddings Of the higher powers.
the dependence of the higher on the
er is no less direct. The mutual &C
takes place in each line. A chief
htion of keeping the brain healthy is
Isp these unconscious nervous func-
b in full vigor, and in natural alter
ions of activity and repose. Thus
is that (besides its effect in in
ksng the breathing and the gen
ygor of the vital processes) muscu
Exercise has so manifestly beneficial
1nce on depressed or irritable state
pind. The bodily movement, by az
ldg an outlet to the activity Of the
bal ord, withdTaws source of irrita-
from the brain; or it may relieve ex-
unt of that organ by carving off its
lw into safe channel. We see evi
ice Of the same law in the delightful
E Of cheerful walk, and the demand
Violent excrtion, which is so frequent
banity. Every part Of the nervous
sm makes its influence felt by all the
A sort of constitutional monarchy
p within us; no power in this small
is absolute, or can escape the checks
limitations which the other powers
)Ose Doubtless the brain is King bot
Fds and Commons have their seats be-
l and guard their privileges with jeal
ZEAL If the constitution of our
eonal realm is to be preserved intact, it
E be by the efforts of each part, law
y directed to a common end Thoughts
Health.