Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-01-21
INDEPENDENT.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 81, 1888.
Snmefhinp Ahont OoIda

wv hat IS cola :! 10 answer
this question we must first explain
what is meant by animal heat. Man
is what is known as warm -blooded
animal that is, he possesses the ca
pacity under all circumstances of
maintaining an average uniform tenn
perature. Whether he live in the
frost-bound Arctic regions, or in the
burning districts Of Central Africa,
the heat of the blood is the same. In
summer and winter alike Gf he ex-
cept, perhaps, certain abnormal states
of the body due to the excitation or
depression OF the vital processes in
various diseases) the average tenn
perature of the human body is 98.4
degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, this is remarkable fact, as,
in view of the peculiar source from
which animal heat is derived, name
ly, from the combustion Of used-up
tissue with the oxygen of inspired
air, it stands TO reason that the heat
OF the blood cannot remain constant
for five minutes together, as with
every movement Of our muscles we
add Goals to the human fire and the
regulation of all our movements, SO
as to preserve uniform temperature,
would be an utter impossibility.
How, then, is the object to be achiev-
ed?
The superfuous heat is disposed
of by conduction and radiation in the
capilliaries of the skin, and by evap-
Grafton through the sweat glands and
air passages, and when there is no
supernuous heat to dispose of, the
skin contracts to prevent evapora-
tion of moisture from the surface.
Thus, when we exert ourselves.
there is increased waste of tissue,
and accordingly we both pant and
perspire. When we are cold, on the
other hand, the skin is very far from
being moist, and contracts, present
ing what is called the "goose-skin"
appearance. Now, these functions
are under the immediate control OF
the nervous system. Cold acts on
the latter in such way that the YES
sells supplying the skin are construct
ed, and the flow of blood.to the sur
face checked, loss of heat by con-
duction, radiation, and evaporation
being thus prevented, while heat on
the other hand, relaxes the blood
vessels and favors the escape of heat
from the body. 1t will thus be seen
what an important part the nervous
system plays in the maintenance of
animal heat
Whenever, owing to any dersnge-
nent of the nervous system, the per
feet maintenance OF animal heat fails
to be carried out, disorder ensues,
the mildest form Of which is ca
tarrh-namely, the blocking up of
the skin or outer surface of the body,
with the consequent transference of
the excretion to the mucous or inner
surface. The deleterious matter
which ought to have been removed
by the skin irritates the blood by its
retention there, and ultimately ex-
ponds itself by the nose and throat.
For example, if the nervous system
be feeble, sweating would probably be
induced, and consequent loss of
heat, irrespective Of the needs of the
body, in which case a cold would
most probably follow. AS fact,
there are many people with feeble
nerves who readily perspire in the
coolest weather, and are in conse-
quence liable to frequently recurring
colds.
The nervous origin of colds also
furnishes us with a clew to its treat
msnt in the early stages. The whole
history Of q cold shows it to be es-
sentially and primarily a state of col
lapse, demanding every recourse to
stimulating plan of treatment. There
is no more detected mortal than a
patient in the first stage of cold, and
both his physical and mental condi-
ton point to nervous collapse. Hence
we believe the great success of cam
phor and ammonia inhalations in the
early stage. 1t has also been repeat
edly found that two or three glasses
OF wine have cut cold short, when
taken at the first appearance Of the