370. As many of the large veins lie immediately beneath the skin, through which the blood is returned from the lower extremities, if the ligatures used to retain the hose, or any other article of apparel, in proper position, be tight and inelastic, the passage of blood through these vessels will be 173 obstructed, producing, by their distention, the varicose, or enlarged veins. Hence elastic bands should always be used for these purposes.
367–386. Give the hygiene of the circulatory organs. 367. What effect will be produced on the body if it is deprived of blood? If the blood is only lessened in quantity? 368. Why should the clothing be worn loose? 369. What is said of dressing the neck? To what persons is this remark applicable? 370. How are enlarged veins frequently produced?
371. An equal temperature of all parts of the system promotes health. A chill on one portion of the body diminishes the size of its circulating vessels, and the blood which should distend and stimulate the chilled part, will accumulate in other organs. The deficiency of blood in the chilled portion induces weakness, while the superabundance of sanguineous fluid may cause disease in another part of the system.
372. The skin should be kept not only of an equal, but at its natural temperature. If the skin is not kept warm by adequate clothing, so that chills shall not produce a contraction of the blood-vessels and a consequent paleness, the blood will recede from the surface of the body, and accumulate in the internal organs. Cleanliness of the skin is likewise necessary, for the reason, that this condition favors the free action of the cutaneous vessels.
Observation. When intending to ride in a cold day, wash the face, hands, and feet, in cold water, and rub them smartly with a coarse towel. This is far better to keep the extremities warm, than to take spirits into the stomach.
373. Exercise promotes the circulation of the blood. As the action of the muscles is one of the important agents which propel the blood through the arteries and veins, daily and regular exercise of the muscular system is required to sustain a vigorous circulation in the extremities and skin, and also to maintain a healthy condition of the system. The best stimulants to improve the sluggish circulation of an indolent patient, whose skin is pale and whose extremities are cold, are the 174 union of vigorous muscular exercise with agreeable mental action, and the systematic application to the skin of cold water, attended with friction.
371. Why should the temperature of the body be equal? 372. Why should the skin be kept at its natural, as well as at an equal temperature? What practical observation when intending to ride in a cold day? 373. Why does exercise promote health? What are good stimulants for sluggish circulation in the indolent?
Illustration. The coach-driver and teamster throw their arms around their bodies to warm them when cold. The muscles that are called into action in swinging the arms, force a greater quantity of blood into the chilled parts, and consequently, more heat is produced.
374. When a number of muscles are called into energetic action, a greater quantity of blood will be propelled to the lungs and heart in a given time, than when the muscles are in a state of comparative inaction. It is no uncommon occurrence, that before there is a proper expansion of the respiratory organs to correspond with the frequency and energy of the movements of the muscles, there is an accumulation of blood in the lungs, attended by a painful sensation of fulness and oppression in the chest, with violent and irregular action of the heart. This condition of the organs of the chest, called congestion, may be followed by cough, inflammation of the lungs, asthma, and a structural disease of the heart.
375. To avoid these sensations and results, when we feel necessitated to walk or run a considerable distance in a short time, commence the movements in a moderate manner increasing the speed as the respiratory movements become more frequent and their expansion more extensive, so that a sufficient amount of air may be received into the lungs to purify the increased quantity of blood forced into them. The same principles should be observed when commencing labor, and in driving horses and other animals.