Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1871-09-07
The Nerves and +" Tone"

WHAT is the source Of this irritabilitY
which renders it impossible to keep the
muscles still? We can answer, in general,
that irritability means weakness-it is a
tendency to too easy an overthrow Of the
balance in which the living textures exist;
the excessive action arises from too rapid
decay. A philosophical physician COM
pares it to the whirling movement Of the
hands of a watch Of which the main spring
| is broken and the eminent French expcr-
imc ntalist, NJ. Claude Bernard, has thrown
light on this condition by pointing out
that an unnatural proneness to activity ex.
lists in every organ of a living animal at a
period Immediately preceding the death of
the part In our physical, as in our moral
nature, strength is calm, patient, orderly
weakness hurries, cannot be at rest, at.
tempts too much. The force which, in the
living frame, binds up the elements into
organic forms, being relaxed, too easily
permits them to sink down, and inctf ctual
mimicries Of energy ensuc.
But how is living strength to be insured
in respect to the functions VIC have spoken
Of? The laws we have been tracing give
us a partial answer to this question.
Strength in the living body is maintained
by the full but natural exercise Of each or
gan; and as We have seen, the action of
these portions Of the nervous s, stem is
made dependent upon tho influences con-
veVcd to them by the sensitive nerves dis
tributed over the various parts of the body.
And among these the nerves passing to the
skin are the chief. The full access of all
healthy stimuli to the surface, and its free
dom from all that irritates or impedcs its
functions are the first external conditions
of the normal vigor of this nervous cir
Gle. Among these stimuli, fresh air and
pure water hold the first place. Sufficient
warmth is second. The great and even
wonderful advantages of cleanliness are
partly refcrable to the direct influence of
skin healthily active, open to all the
natural stimuli and free from morbid irri-
tatiOn, upon the nervecenters Of which
it is the appointed excitant. This intlu.
ence is altogether distinct from those
cleansing functions which the healthy
skin performs for the blood, and in any
Just estimate of its value is far too impor-
tant tn bo overlooked.
That ate of general vigor which we
call "tone "also depends upon the healthy
action OF these nervous centers. It con-
sists in an habitual moderate contraction
OF the muscles, due to constant stimulus
exerted on them by the spinal cord, and is
sound nervous balance. Tone is main
dated upon the spinal cord, through the
nerves, from all parts of the body, aid
partly by the stimulus poured down upon
it from the brain. So it is disturbed by
whatever conveys irritating or depressing
inflences in either direction. A single in
judicious meal, a slcepless night, single
passion or piece of bad news will destroy
it. On the other hand, vivid hope,
cheerful resolve, an absorbing interest,
will restore it as if by magic. For in
man these lower officers in the nervous
hierarchy draw their very breath accord,
ing to the biddings of the higher powers
But the dependence of the higher on the
lower is no less direct. The mutual &C.
ton takes place in each line. A chief
condition of keeping the brain healthy is
to keep these unconscious nervous filnc-
tons in full viQor, and in natural alter
nations OF activity and repose. Thus
it is that (besides its effect in in
creasing the breathing and the gen
eral vigor Of the vital processes) muscu-
lar exercise has so manifestly beneficial
Influence on depressed or irritable ate
of mind. The bodily movement, by at.
fording an outlet to the activity of the
spinal cord. withdraws a source of irritsl.
ton from the brain; or it may relieve ex-
element of that organ by carrying off its
energy into a safe channel. We see evil
deEce of the same law in the delightful
effect Of cheerful walk, and the demand
for violent exertion, which is so frequent
in insanity: Every part Of the nervous
system makes its influence felt by all the
rest. A sort of constitutional monarchy
exists within us: no power in this small
State is absolute, or can escape the checks
and limitations which the other powers
impose. Doubtless the brain is King but
Lords and Commons have their seats be-
low, and guard their privileges with jeal-
Gus zeal. If the constitution" of our
personal realm is to be preserved intact, it
must be by the efforts of each part, law
fully directed to common end.-7Aoughts
on Health