Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-29
BETTER Health
Heat, Cold
Reactions
Given Study
Greatest Temperature
Rise in Fingers, Toes

MEDICAL science has been
'A very much interested in the
last few years in the reaction
OF the body TO heat and cold.
At this season Of the year
most people are interested in
the reaction Of the body 10 heat.
IL Is curious and interesting
fact that the fingers and toes
exhibit the greatest rise In
temperature of any part when
the body is heated.
This is probably due 10 ihe
fact that in the fingers and
toes the general reaction OF the
body TO heat is capable OF the
largest amount Of variation.
BY this ] mean that the reac-
ton of the body TO heat is. first.
TO dilate all the superficial
capillary blood vessels and then
TO throw out thin layer of
persplratIon which. on drying.
reduces the temperature and
hence cools the blood in the
dllated capillaries.
TTiE fingers and toes have the
l. largest amount OF capillary
expansion and are very Sensi-
tive in responding 10 changes
in the nervous reflexes which
cause dilatation of the capil-
laries.
Also the fingers and toes do
not sweat very much and hence
retain the heat due TO the
dilated capillaries.
While this has all been proved
in very solemn, scientific fashion.
IL seems 10 me that human be-
ings have instinctively known
this fer long time
The instinct to battle hands
and wrists, 10 60 barefoot in
hot weather. 10 wade or treat
the feet 10 cold water from the
hydrant. all point to an instinc-
tive knowledge that reduction
Of the temperature Of the
fingers and toes will reduce the
temperature of the whole body.
SCIENTISTS also have shown
~ that there is seasonable
variation in the capacity Of the
skin 10 react TO heat.
II IS possible 10 measure the
time between applying an i'm
pulse 70 Inc automatic nervous
system and the time when the
capillary blood vessels begin 10
dilate.
This period. which is called
the clearing time. begins 10
lengthen progressively in the
body reaches a high level in
December which is maintained
until spring
This has been proved in Oh
ServationS on the same individ-
ual year after year.
WIS variation probably ex-
Il plains why we are so much
more uncomfortable in the late
spring and early summer heat
than we are later on in the
summer; the body has not had
an opportunity TO adjust itself
so that rapid cooling reactions
can occur.
These experiments, of course,
apply 10 those living continu-
ouSly in temperate climate
with a~ide variation the year
around.
I know of no such expert
ments, but l would like TO see
some on people who live the
year around in fairly hot climate.
and on those who regularly go
10 warm climates during the
winter months.
QUESTIONS. ANSWERS
f r. Wis il injurious for a
person 10 take teaspoonful of
cascara every night? l find il
the best thing / have ever tried
for elimination.
Answer do not favor the
regular use Of any cathartic, but
cascara Is probably the least
harmful.
However. instead Of taking a
fixed dose, such as a teaspoonful
measure out the number of
drops you need.
Maybe teaSpoonful is too
much. CaScara. since IL is liquid.
has an advantage over tablets
in that one can learn after a
few trials 10 get the exact dose
In dronS.