, 1935-03-29
Consider Blood Supply
In Planning Hygiene
By DR.. MoRRI HsHBEIN
Editor. journal Of the American Medical Association
and Of Hygeia. the Health Magazine

Editor, journal of the American Medical Association.
and Of Hygeia. the Health Magazine
Blood is the most important material in your body.
Not only must your tissues be supplied with blood,
but the blood must be sufficient in amount. contain
enough oxygen, and carry enough antisubstances to
infection to keep the body free from disease.
Because OF this. you should consider the circlation
in planning any program OF hygiene. For instance,
poor posture crowds the heart by adding the pres
sure Of the chest wall and that. Of the organs to
the burden which the heart has to bear. and in this
way poor posture is bad for the circulation. Insult
ficient exercise results in poor muscle tone and poor
muscle tone increases the burden Of the heart. be-
cause 1t results in congestion in the tissues.
The heart must be a well-functioning organ or 1t
cannot propel the blood in circulation. When II
weakens in its work. fluid accumulates. congestion
increases. and the burden becomes increasingly great.
one Of the first signs Of a deficiency In the blood
is appearance Of anemia. This means that the blood
doesn't contain enough red blood cells and hemoglo-
bin. or red coloring matter. or else that certain por-
tions Of the body are not sufficiently supplied with
blood.
One Of the most common causes Of anemia is the
loss OF a good deal OF blood from the body follow
ing a wound, or disturbance Of the periodic functions
in women. The blood cells also are destroyed by
chronic infections and by invasion Of parasites such
as OCCUR IN nafdIld- lneIe may dloO z q nAAuA
in the diet Of substances necessary TO stimulate for
nation Of red blood cells.
When any part OF the body becomes suddenly white,
it is a sign that the blood vessels have become con-
stricted and that the blood is not going suitably 70
that part. If a sudden stoppage OF the flow Of blood
TO the brain occurs. dizziness and faintness occur,
and then loss Of consciousness.
There are also certain unusual forms OF blood dis
eases which may be inherited. An example OF this Is
a. Ndff,o -, rhfrt. fhe hind does mi
clot after a wound. This condition affects only
male members Of a family and Is transmitted only
by female members.
To build up proper blood. certain substances arc
important. In the diet. liver and lamb kidneys are
essential. because these stimulate the formation OF
red blood cells better than almost any other foods
An extract which is known to have this power has
also been prepared from the wall Of the stomach.
Iron is Of exceeding Importance as a drug for over
coming various forms Of anemia and Is especially nee
essary in development Of the red coloring matter IN
the blood. The vitamins also are known to be useiui
Finally. one OF the most significant features OF prop
er formation and maintenance OF a good plooo sup
ply is rest. In fact, many Of the leading authorities
emphasize a great deal Of rest in bed as the mos
significant factor In overcoming snemiss.
BY this is meant complete rest, including avoid
ance Of any muscular or mental effort.
There are various rough-and-ready methods o. oe-
termining whether the blood is adequate. You may
compare the redness Of the palms Of the hands or Of
the finpernails. but the scientific method is most GER
tain. ....
A few drops of blood are taken from a puncture IN
the ear or fingertip. They are diluted with a solu-
ton which keeps the red blood cells In good order.
Under the microscope the number Of red blood cells
is counted.
COMPARISONS also are made Of specimens 70 de-
termine the percentage Of red coloring matter IN
comparison with normal. These actual measure
ments show definitely the state OF the blood ana
whether stimulation Is necessary.