Exercise must be graded to the case, being gentle at first so as not to overtire the easily fatigued muscular system. It should be intelligently directed to the joints and to the vital organs, particularly to the liver and intestines, that they may be kept in normal activity. The exercises must be followed with plenty of rest, and accompanied by deep breathing. The habit of full breathing is one of the most effective agencies in correction of anemia, because the red blood corpuscles must carry their full quota of oxygen or the system is clogged with waste. Oxygen also rejuvenates these corpuscles.
Unless the blood furnished to the tissues is of good quality and contains sufficient oxygen, the nutrition of the body suffers, the activity of the various organs is hindered, and the health becomes impaired. Functional derangements, particularly in the digestive tract follow, and faulty digestion and difficult absorption further impoverish the blood.
The work, therefore, in the correction of anemia, lies in foods which build blood and in daily exercise and deep breathing of fresh air, accompanied by rest.
The windows at night should admit a good circulation of air through the sleeping room, and as much time as possible should be spent in the open air.
Anemia occurs many times in growing girls, due to an improperly balanced diet, caused by a capricious appetite and by the habit of satisfying this appetite with sweets, pickles, etc.
The body, during growth, needs increased nutritive material, not only to replace the waste, but also to meet the demands for new building material for the various organs, particularly the brain and the nervous system. Overwork either in school or in industrial occupations, the hasty eating of meals, or insufficient amounts of food, also aid in reducing both the quantity and quality of the blood.
Worry is one chief cause of anemia.
Insufficient sleep, due to late hours, further increases the tension of the nerves and lowers the vitality, causing depression which interferes with digestion.
When the red blood corpuscles are decreased the oxidation of the fats is interfered with, because oxygen is necessary to burn the fat. The non-use of the fatty material causes it to be stored in the tissues so that the body often appears well nourished and plump. The muscles, however, are flabby and weak and usually the pallor of the skin shows the lack of coloring matter in the blood.
The digestive organs are often weak. They must not be overloaded or the very object of the extra feeding will be defeated. In such cases the food must be taken in less quantity and more frequently. Also a diet rich in albumin and iron must be supplied.