The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-05-16
Some Physiological Errors.

One of the notable examples of popu.
lar delusions regarding bodily structure
and functions, is exempted by the belief
that the third finger was selected as the
bearor of the wedding-r ring because a
pai iicular nerve placed this member in
direct communication with the heart.
Over and over again has this belief been
expressed, and in the belief is found an
apparently satisfactory reason why the
third finger is thus honored. The
slightest acquaintance with physiologi
cal science shows that the supposition
referred to has not given germ of prob
ability to show on its behalf. The ring
finger is supplied with nerves according
to the rule of nervous supply in the
body generally, and, it need hardly be
said. without the slightest reference to
the heart; the nerves of which in turn
are supplied from an Independent source
and one quite dissociated from that
which supplies the nerves of the hand.
Equally curious and erroneous beliefs
intrude themselves into the domain of
medicine and surgery. Thus, for in
stance, it is matter of ordinary belief
that cut in the space which separates
the thumb from the forefnger is of ne
cessity most dangerous injury. The
popular notion regarding this region is
that an injured inflicted thereupon is
singularly liable to be followed by
tetanus or lock-jaw. There exist not the
slightest grounds for this supposition.
Lock-jaw, it is true, might follow an in
jury to this part of the hand, as it might
supervene after wound of any of the
fingers. But physiology and medicine
alike emphatically dispel the idea chat
any popularity of structure which might
predispose to the affection just named,
exists chiefly in the region of the thumb
1t may be that the difficulty experienced
in securing the healing of wounds in
this portion of the hand-owing to the
amount of looso tissue and to the free
movements of the part, which it is almsot
impossible to prevent-might favor or
predispose to an attack of tetanus. But
as the isame remark may be made of
many other portions of the body, it fol-
lows that the thumb region possesses no
popularity whatever in this respect over
any other part of the frame.
A very common idea, but one found
ed on no certain or fesible grounds, is
that which maintains that our bodies
undergo complete change and renewal
of all their parts every seven years.
The mystical nature of the number
seven, has had an unquestionable effect
in originating this opinion; and although
the age of fourteen, and again that Of
twenty -one may be regarded as marking
the attainment of youth and manhood
or womanhood respectively, yet ply sio.
logy gives no countenance to the popular
opinion that of necessity these periods
are of those sweeping bodily changes.
On the contrary, it might be shown that
the periods at which full growth Of body
is attained vary with climate, race and
constitution-that is, with the personal
nature, and with the physical surround
ings of individuals, communities and
nations. The true state of matters, as
disclosed by physiology, leads us to con-
template actions and changes which are
of infinitely more wondrous kind than
those involved in the idea of septennial
change. For if there is one axiom
whicn physiology maintains more con.
stantly then another, it is that which
teaches that constant and never-ceasine
change is the lot of life from it's begin.
ming to its end.