A Treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene (Revised Edition) by Calvin Cutter (read more books .txt) 📕

700. This condition of the skin is known by the redness of the surface, the glow, comfort, and warmth which follow the bath. The bather should direct all his care to insure this effect. By it the internal organs are relieved, respiration is lightened, the heart is made to beat calm and free, the mind is clear and strong, the tone of the muscular system is increased, the appetite is sharpened, and the whole system feels invigorated. This is the end and aim of the bather, and to this all his training tends. The error is, to expect the result without the preparation.

701. In order to promote reaction, and to be efficient in preserving health, bathing should be regular, should be commenced by degrees, and increased by a process of training, and should not be permitted to intrude upon hours devoted to some important function, as digestion. It must not precede or follow too closely a meal, or severe mental or muscular exercise, as reaction is less certain and vigorous when important 317 internal organs are employed, than when they are at rest. When the vital powers are greatest, and the system most free from exhaustion, bathing is most beneficial; hence the morning is preferable to the evening, and the middle of the forenoon to the middle of the afternoon, for this healthful and agreeable duty; as the vital action of the system is most energetic in the early part of the day.

699. What is the effect upon the skin when cold water is applied? What is the first object and purpose of every form of bathing? 700. How is this condition of the skin known? Mention the salutary effects that this condition has on the body. 701. How should bathing be performed, in order to be efficient in preserving health?

702. In regard to the frequency of bathing, the face and neck, from their necessary exposure to the atmosphere, and the impurities which the latter contains, should receive at least two washings in twenty-four hours, one of which should be with soap; the feet, from the confined nature of the coverings which are worn over them, require at least one; the armpits, from the detention, as well as from the peculiar properties of the secretions, at least one; and the hands and arms, as many as seem proper. The whole person should be bathed at least every second day, but the most perfect health of every part of the body would be maintained, if the excretions from the skin were removed daily.

703. In diseases of the skin and internal organs, bathing is a remedial measure of great power. It should never be neglected or omitted. It is not only pleasant and safe, but is really more effective than any medicine administered internally. This, like other curative means, should be applied by the direction and under the eye of the medical adviser, that it may be adapted to the condition of the patient.

704. “From the first hour of man’s existence to his latest breath, in health and in sickness, rich or poor, water is always requisite. Baths were dedicated by the ancients to the divinities of medicine, strength, and wisdom, namely, Æsculapius, Hercules, and Minerva, to whom might properly be added the goddess of health, Hygeia. The use of water has been 318 enforced as a religious observance, and water has been adopted as one of the symbols of Christianity.”

When should bathing be performed? 702. How often should we bathe? 703. What is said of bathing in disease? Who should direct the kind of bath proper in different diseases? 704. Were baths dedicated by the ancients?

705. The AIR is an agent of importance in the functions of the skin. It imparts to this membrane oxygen, and receives from it carbonic acid. It likewise removes from it a large portion of the perspiration and the more fluid portions of the oily secretion. In order that the air may accomplish these ends, it is necessary that it come in contact with the body. This is one of the many reasons why we should wear loose and porous clothing.

706. Again, the air should be pure, and free from redundant moisture. In the warm mornings of July and August, the air is loaded with moisture and impurities, and the perspirable matter is not removed from the system as it is when the air is pure and dry. This is the cause of the general lassitude that is experienced during such mornings. As soon as the fog is dispelled, these unpleasant sensations are removed. To sustain the functions of the skin in a healthy state, the parlor, kitchen, sleeping-room, school-house, and work-shop, should be well ventilated. The blood of the system will be purer, and its color of a brighter scarlet, if the skin is surrounded by fresh and pure air, than when it is foul or moist.

707. The LIGHT permeating the skin, not only exercises a salutary influence upon this membrane, but upon the blood, and, through this fluid, upon the whole system. For this reason, the kitchen and the sitting-room, which are the apartments most used by ladies, should be selected from the most pleasant and well-lighted rooms in the house. On the other hand, dark rooms and damp cellar-kitchens should be avoided, as exercising an injurious influence upon both body and mind.

708. The dark, damp rooms, so much used in cities and 319 large villages, by indigent families and domestics, are fruitful causes of disease, as well as of vice, poverty, and suffering. Common observation shows that solar light also exercises much influence upon the vigor and color of vegetables. Plants that are kept in well-lighted rooms, have darker and more brilliant colors than those that grow in darkened apartments.

705. Give the reasons why pure air should be supplied to the skin. 706. What is the cause of the general lassitude in a damp, warm morning? 707. Show the salutary effects of light on the skin. 708. What is one cause of disease and suffering in large villages?

709. Burns and SCALDS are terms applied to those conditions of the skin which are produced by the application of an undue amount of heat, which changes the action of its vessels.

710. A small degree of heat will irritate the nerves, and cause an increased action of the blood-vessels. This is attended with severe smarting pain, and will be followed by the deposition of serum under the cuticle, unless applications are made immediately, to prevent vesication, or blistering. To prevent or suppress this state of arterial action, wet some folds of cotton or woollen cloth with cold water, and apply them to the parts scalded; continue to apply cold water, so as to steadily maintain the low temperature of the applications, as long as the smarting pain is experienced. The steady application of cold dressing also tends to prevent an increased action of the blood-vessels, and will suppress it, if it already exist.

711. When blisters are formed, the cuticle is separated from the other tissues of the skin by the effusion of serum. In all cases, if this layer of the skin is not removed, a small opening should be made in the raised cuticle, by which the serum deposited may be removed. Under such circumstances, never remove the cuticle, as it makes the best possible covering for the blood-vessels and nerves of the true skin. The cold water dressing, recommended in the preceding 320 paragraph, may then be applied as long as the smarting sensation continues. After the pain has subsided, the blistered part may be covered by a patch of cotton or linen cloth, upon which an ointment, made of lard and bees-wax, has been spread.

709. To what condition of the skin are the terms burns and scalds applied? 710. What is the effect when only a small degree of heat is applied to the skin? How can vesication be prevented? 711. What should be the treatment when blisters are formed?

712. If the cuticle has been removed, there will be much suffering, because the nerves are unduly stimulated by the air. The cuticle is the sheath or covering of the vessels and nerves of the skin, and when it is removed, a substitute should be applied. This substitute should be soothing, and cover the denuded surface. Linseed-meal or ground slippery-elm bark poultice, fresh cream, or lard and bees-wax, spread upon linen or cotton cloth, would make a good dressing. When dressings are applied, they should not be removed until they become dry and irritating.

713. If there is much suffering, administer to an adult from twenty-five to sixty drops of laudanum, according to the severity of the pain. If the patient is a child, from fifteen drops to a tea-spoonful of paregoric may be administered. When there is much prostration, some hot peppermint tea or other stimulant may be found necessary to bring on reaction.

714. The hands, feet, ears, &c., are subject, in cold latitudes, to be frozen, or frost-bitten. This may occur when the patient, at the moment, is not aware of it. The part affected at first assumes a dull red color, which gradually gives place to a pale, waxy appearance, and becomes quite insensible. The first thing to be done in such cases, is to reëstablish circulation. This should be effected very gradually. If a large quantity of blood is thrown suddenly into the chilled and debilitated vessels of the frozen part, inflammation may be produced that will destroy the vitality of the limb.

712. That should be the treatment if the cuticle has been removed? How often should the dressing of burns be removed? 713. What may be necessary when there is much suffering? 714. What is the appearance of limbs while freezing? How should the circulation be at first reëstablished? What should be avoided?

715. The circulation and sensibility may be restored by rubbing the frozen limb, with snow, or, when this is not to be obtained, cold water; but snow is always to be preferred. The fire should be avoided; and it would be better for the patient to be kept in a cold room, for a time, where there is no fire, or where the temperature is moderate.

716. When a person is found benumbed with cold, and almost or quite insensible, he should be taken into a cold room, the clothing removed, and friction commenced and continued for some time, with snow. When warmth begins to be restored, the individual should be rubbed with dry flannel, and the friction continued until reaction takes place.

Observation. When the toes and heels have been repeatedly chilled, there may be produced a disease called chilblains. This affection is attended with tenderness of the parts, accompanied with a peculiar and troublesome itching. The prevention of this disease is in wearing warm hose and thick shoes of ample size. Bathing the feet morning and evening is also a prevention of this disagreeable affection. When chilblains exist, apply cold water, warm camphorated spirits, or turpentine linament.

715. How may the circulation and sensibility be restored? 716. What treatment should be adopted when a person is benumbed with cold? What treatment should be adopted when warmth begins to be restored? What is said of chilblains?