Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary SchoolsWalters, Francis M. (Francis Marion)
Science
Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools
Walters, Francis M. (Francis Marion)
Physiology
108 Where a deep-seated cause for worry exists, there may be occasion
for grave concern. Many people have become insane through continued
worry about some _one_ thing. In cases of this kind the sufferer
needs the aid of sympathetic friends, and sometimes of the
physician, in getting the mind away from the exciting cause. A
change of scene, a visit, or some new employment is frequently
recommended, where the actual cause for the worry cannot be removed.
109 Any part of the body which is overworked or which works at a
disadvantage tends to disturb, more or less, the entire nervous
system and to produce nervousness. Especially is this true of such
delicate and highly sensitive structures as the eyes. If the eyes do
not focus properly or if the muscles that move the eyeballs are out
of their natural adjustment, extra work is thrown upon these
delicate parts. One of the first and sometimes the only indication
of eye strain is that of some disturbance of the nervous system. For
this reason it is important to carefully test the eyes in
determining the cause of nervousness (page 385).
110 One form of neck exercise recommended for this purpose is easily
taken on retiring at night. Lying flat on the back, without a
pillow, lift the head slowly from the bed and let it as slowly
settle back to the level of the body. Repeat several times, lying on
the back, and then again on the face and again on each side.
Practice these exercises every night during an interval of a month
or until relief is secured.
111 Insurance statistics show that habitual _moderate drinkers_ do not
live so long as abstainers.
112 Organs very frequently affected by tobacco are the heart and the
eyes. It induces, as already stated (page 56), a dangerous nervous
derangement called "tobacco heart," and it causes a serious disorder
of the retina (retinitis) which leads in some instances to loss of
vision. Tobacco smoke also acts as an irritant to the delicate
lining of the eyes, especially when the tobacco is smoked indoors.
113 Of 4117 boys in the Illinois State Reformatory, 4000 used tobacco,
and over 3000 were cigarette smokers. Dr. Hutchison, of the Kansas
State Reformatory, says: "Using cigarettes is the cause of the
downfall of more of the inmates of this institution than all other
vicious habits combined."
114 The term "mind" is used in this and preceding chapters in its
popular, not technical, sense.
115 The problem of social adjustment is but a phase of the general
problem of establishing proper relations between the body and its
surroundings.
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