Part 21 (2/2)

_Ill.u.s.trations._ 1st. Dr. Reid, in his work on ”Ventilation of Rooms,”

relates that an innkeeper in London, when he provided a public dinner, always spread his tables in an under-ground room, with low walls, where the air was confined and impure. He a.s.signed as a reason for so doing, that his guests consumed only one third as much food and wine, as if the tables were laid in the open air.

2d. A manufacturer stated before a committee of the British Parliament, that he had removed an arrangement for ventilating his mill, because he noticed that his men ate much more after his mill was ventilated, than previous to admitting fresh air into the rooms, and that he could not _afford_ to have them breathe pure air.

_Observation._ Many of the cases of indigestion among clergymen, seamstresses, school teachers, sedentary mechanics, and factory operatives, are produced by breathing the impure air of the rooms they occupy. These cases can be prevented, as well as cured, by proper attention to ventilation.

325. What is observed of those individuals that restrict the movements of the abdominal muscles? 326. Why is pure air necessary to vigorous digestion? Give ill.u.s.tration 1st. Ill.u.s.tration 2d. What is one cause of indigestion among the sedentary cla.s.s in community?

327. _The position of a person, in standing or sitting, exerts an influence upon the digestive organs._ If a person lean, or stoop forward, the distance between the pelvic bones and the diaphragm is diminished. This prevents the depression of the diaphragm, while the stomach, liver, pancreas, and other abdominal organs, suffer compression, which induces many severe diseases of these organs. As healthy and well-developed muscles keep the spinal column in an erect position, which conduces to the health of the organs of digestion, the child should be taught to avoid all positions _but the erect_, while studying or walking. This position, combined with unrestricted waists, will do much to remove the now prevalent disease, dyspepsia.

328. _Whatever kind of aliment is taken, it is separated into nutriment and residuum_; the former of which is conveyed, through the medium of the circulation, to all organs of the system, and the latter, if not expelled, acc.u.mulates, causing headache and dizziness, with a general uneasiness; and, if allowed to continue, it lays the foundation of a long period of suffering and disease. For the preservation of health, it is necessary that there should be a daily evacuation of the residual matter.

_Observation._ In chronic diseases of the digestive organs, very frequently, there is an inactive, or costive condition of the alimentary ca.n.a.l. This may be removed in many cases, and relieved in all instances, by friction over the abdominal organs, and by making an effort at some stated period each day, (evening is best,) to evacuate the residuum. In acute diseases, as fever, regard should be given to regularity in relieving the intestines of residuum. Attention to this suggestion will in many instances obviate the necessity of cathartic medicine.

327. Why does the position of a person affect digestion? 328. Into what are different kinds of aliment separated?

329. We would add, for the benefit of those afflicted with hemorrhoids, or piles, that the best time for evacuating the intestinal ca.n.a.l would be immediately before retiring for the night. During the night, while rec.u.mbent, the protruding parts return to their proper place, and the surrounding organs acquire increased tone to retain them.

The same observance will do much to prevent such prostrating diseases.[12]

[12] The urinary organs, as well as the intestinal ca.n.a.l, should be frequently and regularly evacuated. Some most distressing and frequently incurable complaints are caused by false customs and false delicacy in this particular. Teachers should be particularly careful, and regard this suggestion in reference to young pupils.

330. To recapitulate: digestion is most perfect when the action of the cutaneous vessels is energetic; the brain and vocal organs moderately stimulated by animated conversation; the blood well purified; the muscular system duly exercised; the food of an appropriate quality, taken in proper quant.i.ties, at regular periods, and also properly masticated.

330. Give the summary when digestion is most perfect.

CHAPTER VXII.

THE CIRCULATORY ORGANS.

331. The ultimate object of the food and drink introduced into the body, is to furnish material to promote the growth and repair the waste of the organs of the system. The formation of chyle (the nutrient portion of the food) has been traced through the digestive process, and its transfer into the vein at the lower part of the neck, from which it is conveyed to the heart; and, finally, in the lungs it a.s.similates to the character of blood.

332. The BLOOD, after standing a short time, when drawn from its vessels, separates into _serum_, (a watery fluid,) and _co-agu-lum_, (clot.) This fluid is distributed to every part of the system. There is no part so minute that it does not receive blood. The organs by which this distribution is effected are so connected that there is properly neither beginning nor end; but as it respects their functions, they are connected in a complete circle. From this circ.u.mstance, they are called the _Circulatory Organs_.

ANATOMY OF THE CIRCULATORY ORGANS.

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