Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-04-06
rs ~
Home Health
Club /
D. DAVID q. READER. Ph. D.M.D.
Ia Porte, Ind.

physiological eject OF cold applications
with special reference to the results or
the nervous system. The various reac
tons that were possible to the viscers
from applying cold water to the skin
are referred to, as we'll as the effect anc
reaction upon the circulatory system
The effects that were produced by direct
application of cold to the brain were
briefly reviewed. shall new more elab-
orately go into the details Of nervous
reflex action.
Because Of the close inter-connectton
of the nerves of the skin with the nerve
centers and ganglia controlling respara-
ton and the circulation Of the blood
short applications to induce cold to the
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
mersioA of one hand in cold water have
pointed out, results in the cooling and
shrinkage of the other hand. When
both hands ere 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 il the bath is short one
inevitably reaction sets IN, and the re-
verse is the case. Thus in cases where
It 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 1t has become a serious mat
ter. There are thousand and one de-
vices for checking 1t, but one OF the simp-
lest is to apply cold water to the upper
spine. just a little above the shoulder
blades. There is on old home remedy
which tells you to apply cold metal to
this region, and IL has often proved ben
efciai. as no doubt many of my readers
nave discovered. The effect is produced
by the nervous action on the blood YES
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-
tai. A very hot foot bath, rs hot as the
person can stand, will produce the same
effect. Epistaxis Is the scientific name
for nose bleed, and should like to hear
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 a
brief application would bring on q 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 foliows' 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-
lions 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 It is Of but short duration, the reac-
ton is stimulated. There are some quite
noticeable effects on the blood, made by
changes in temperature. For instance,
the number of corpuscles is greatly in
creased with cold applications. This is
true of the white oorpuscles as well 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 | have pointed out before, by far
the greater part Of the effects of tho 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 1t gradually with
draws the heat from the body, without
the nervous excitement and reflex &C
ton.
/ have so far written almost entire
" 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-
ing due to the fact that water vaporizes
steam, hot air, the radiation from an in
candeseept body and water offer the best
means for applying heat, but the results
are quite different when the different
media are used. For instanee, q full
bath In water with o temperature of 100
degrees is uncomfortable, although foot
or hand bath at this temperature is not
uncomfortable. The temperature may
be increased 25 degrees above this If the
heat is applied through steam. The or
binary Turkish bath Is at the tempera
ture of 100 degrees to 100 degrees. and
may be increased above this The abil-
lty to withstand extreme of heat can be
cultivated especially over small areas
~, fho onrfaoe If the body. and the hand