Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-05
Health and Right Living
BY ROYAL s. COPELAND, M. ID.
Former Commissioner of Health,

Is there and scientific foundation
for the belief certain persons have
that they can "feeI' the onset of
bad weather? It is a common thing
for rheumatic persons to say they
can feel in their bones" that the
weather is to change. i am asked
frequently if there is any sense in
this.
1t is probable that barometric
pressure has its effect upon the
body. If it really has, a rising or
falling barometer would have It's Ell
feet.
Before a storm the barometer
falls. This release Of pressure less
ems the escape of water from tne
body. It in~terfereS with the free
action of the skin. P~ersplratlon Is
lessened.
Just how this is accomplished
NAV be crudely likened to the erect
Of pressure on a sponge. III you
| squeeze 1T, the water runs out. II
YOU release the pressure the water
| stays in the sponge.
In a sense, this is what happens
70 the body by lessening the atmos-
nheric pressure open its surfaces
with the decreased barometric pres
sure the fluid does not escape III
the usual quantities. !.
IN consequence, what we may can
the normal water balance is dis
turbed. This causes certain effects
upon the Sensory nerve BINDINGS In
the skin. AS a result there Is a
! disturbance of the nerve centerS.
Restlessness Is the observed re-
Spouse.
"A few weeks ago a Chicago phsy-
| ollogist. Or. G. S. Smith, contributed
an article to the American Journal
Of Physiology. In this he points
out that:
THE restlessness of various ami
mails that is often noted before a
storm might be accounted for BY the
low barometric pressure and the
consequent water retention. With
an animal that is particularly SEN
sitive to this condition there Is thus
given a foreknowledge Of approach
ing bad weather, SO that migratory
birds are away before there is any
sign in the sky of a weather change.
Hogs usually bed themselves down
and cattle on the range become rest
less and seek shelter, hours before
there is any evidence OF lmpndlng
change in reaction that Will impress
the senses Of man"
This scientist explains on the
same grounds the claims OF persons
who suffer with rheumatism or any
one of seevral other disorders that
make the nerves particularly sens1-
tive that they can tell the approach
Of bad weather. They suffer in
creased pain or have other symp-
toms that cause them to feel 1t
in their bones" Perhaps weather
and the water supply of the body
are related in such a way that the
atmospheric changes r actually
felt.
1t may well be that the baromet-
ric conditions are more important
than we suspect. One of my doc
or friends has preached this doc
trine a long time.
1t is a fact that q physicians
rounds on a bright, Sunshiny day.
may find every patient restless and
uncomfortable. There may be no
obvious physical reasons for these
unpleasant symptoms.
It may well be that the state ba-
rometer is responsible. That is what
my doctor friend has believed for
years. This most recent theory
confirms his conclusions.
Answers to Health Queries
YOURS TRULY" Q.-W h a t
causes a pain in the left breast,
would you advise me to see a ply
stefan?
A.-Consult your doctor for a
careful examination.
B. l.. w. Q.-Why is it every time
I eat radishes I get a sore throat?
A.-You probably have an idios-
yncrasy for them. Avoid eating
them.
W. A. P. O.-what do you advise
for indigestion and constipation?
A.-First of all correct your diet
Eat simple well-cooked food. Avoid
foods urduly rich in fats and
starches. Send self-a ddresse &
stamped envelope for further par
ticulars and repeat your question.
r.. "A. S. Q.-T drink six quarts
Of water daily during the hot
uaa+ber r that ton r1Yrrh1