A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher SchoolsBlaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Science
A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher Schools
Blaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Human physiology; Physiology
A, right pneumogastric;
B, spinal accessory;
C, glosso-pharyngeal;
D, right bronchus;
E, right branch of pulmonary artery;
F, one of the intercostal nerves;
H, great splanchnic nerve;
K, solar plexus;
L, left pneumogastric;
M, stomach branches of right pneumogastric;
N, right ventricle;
O, right auricle;
P, trunk of pulmonary artery;
R, aorta; S, cardiac nerves;
T, recurrent laryngeal nerve;
U, superior laryngeal nerve;
V, submaxillary ganglion;
W, lingual branch of the 5th nerve;
X, ophthalmic ganglion;
Y, motor oculi externus.
Hence, all these actions of the internal organs just mentioned that are
necessary to the maintenance of the animal life, and of the harmony
which must exist between them, are controlled by the sympathetic
system. But for this control, the heart would stop beating during
sleep, digestion would cease, and breathing would be suspended. Gentle
irritation of these nerves, induced by contact of food in the stomach,
causes that organ to begin the churning motion needed for digestion.
Various mental emotions also have a reflex action upon the sympathetic
system. Thus, terror dilates the pupils, fear acts upon the nerves of
the small blood-vessels of the face to produce pallor, and the sight of
an accident, or even the emotions produced by hearing of one, may
excite nausea and vomiting.
The control of the blood-vessels, as has been stated (sec. 195), is one
of the special functions of the sympathetic system. Through the nerves
distributed to the muscular coats of the arteries, the caliber of these
vessels can be varied, so that at one moment they permit a large
quantity of blood to pass, and at another will contract so as to
diminish the supply. This, too, is beyond the control of the will, and
is brought about by the vaso-motor nerves of the sympathetic system
through a reflex arrangement, the center for which is the medulla
oblongata.
284. Need of Rest. The life of the body, as has been emphasized in the
preceding chapters, is subject to constant waste going on every moment,
from the first breath of infancy to the last hour of old age. We should
speedily exhaust our life from this continual loss, but for its
constant renewal with fresh material. This exhaustion of life is
increased by exertion, and the process of repair is vastly promoted by
rest. Thus, while exercise is a duty, rest is equally imperative.
The eye, when exactingly used in fine work, should have frequent
intervals of rest in a few moments of darkness by closing the lids. The
brain, when urged by strenuous study, should have occasional seasons of
rest by a dash of cold water upon the forehead, and a brief walk with
slow and deep inspirations of fresh air. The muscles, long cramped in a
painful attitude, should be rested as often as may be, by change of
posture or by a few steps around the room.
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