Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-11-17
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Home Health
! "">- Club
By DAVID d. READER. Ph. b.. ND.
La Porte, Ind. ~

In a former lecture treated the
physiological effect of cold applications
with special reference to the results on
the nervous system. The various reac-
lions that were possible to the viscera
from applying cold water to the skin
are referred to, as well as the effect and
reaction upon the circulatory system.
The effects that were produced by direct
application of cold to the brain. were
briefly reviewed. shall now more elab-
orately 60 into the details of nervous
reflex action. is
Because of the close inter-connection
of the nerves of the skin with the nerve
centers and ganglia controlling respira-
ton and the circulation Of the blood,
short applications to induce cold to tho
neck and chest accelerates or increases
the pulse action and breathing at first,
but these effects are directly changed
when the reaction SETS in, The I'M
mersion of one hand in cold water have
pointed out, results in the cooling and
shrinkage of the other hand. When
both hands are Immersed the peculiar
result Of the contracting Of the blood
vessels Of the brain and the mucous
membranes of the nose are produced.
Where there is a sluggishness OF the
mind it may be overcome in many cases
by this simple physiological treatment
A cold foot bath will check the flow OF
blood to the organs of the pelvic region.
But of course if the bath Is short one
inevitably reaction sets in, and the re-
verse is the case. Thus in cases where
1t is desirable to check the hemorrhage
the bath should be prolonged.
Almost everyone has at some time
suffered with bleeding at the nose This
is, of course, usually very trivial mat
ter, and yet the hemorrhage has in some
cases lasted so long and been so pro-
fuse that it has become serious mat
ter. There are thousand and one de-
vices for checking it, but one Of the simp-
lest Is to apply cold water to the upper
spine, just little above the shoulder
blades. There is on old home remedy
which tells you to apply cold metal to
this region, and 1t has often proved ben
eflcial, as no doubt many Of my readers
have discovered. The effect is produced
by the nervous action on the blood ves-
sells of the mucous membrane of the
nose, and can better be produced by the
use of cold water than by the use of me-
tal A very hot foot bath, as hot as the
person can stand, will produce the same
effect. Epistaxis is the scientific name
f1w oh ~,,11 Ia m
from my readers regarding the result
of the trial of these simple expedients.
To get right effect the application Of cold
must be continued for some time, as
brief application would bring on reac-
ton that would probably tend to in
crease the hemorrhage.
The local surface areas that effect the
different organs when stimulated by
cold, are as follows: The back, below
the shoulder blades, and the area just
over the stomach in front, when stimu-.
lated by cold effect the blood vessels and
the stomach. The feet and hollow of the
back. effect the kidneys when so stimu-
lated. The bowels and the bladder are
effected by cold applications to the feet
and abdomen. the liver by applications
to the right chest, especially the lower
part, the spleen by applications to the
lower left chest, the lungs, by applica-
tons to the chest and to corresponding
position on the back, while the brain is
effected by these applications on the
head, hands, feet, neck and face. OF
course the same rule applies in regard
to the reaction on all of these organs,
and if the applications are long con-
tinued, the effect is depressing, while
IL 1t is Of but short duration, the reac-
ton is stimulated. There are some quite
changes in temperature. For instance,
the number of corpuscles is greatly in
creased with cold applications. This is
true of the white corpuscles as we'll as Of
the red ones. Some of the other con-
water is in many cases fully as efficient.
but the results are not very definitely
known. -"
AS I have pointed out before, by far
the greater part of the effects of the use
of cold water are due to the reaction.
Now If one wishes to cool the body with
out getting these reactions, tepid or
cool water should be used. Where the
water is not so cold it gradually with
draws the heat from the body, without
the nervous excitement and reflex &C.
ton.
have so far written almost entire
ly on the effects of cold water. But hot
water is in many cases fully as Efficient
There is a greater variety of means
for applying heat to the surface of the
body than is the case with cold, this be-