Circulation by E. H. Matthewson, M. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 49.

Circulation

By E. H. Matthewson, M. D.

STEPS TO HEALTH. NO. 4.

BY E. H. MATTHEWSON, M. D.

Circulation.

THE circulation is carried on by the heart, assisted by muscles in the arteries, as well as by exercise of the larger muscles. Some one has said that, "winter or summer, we should perform sufficient bodily labor to cause free perspiration," and it is certainly an excellent rule to follow. Exercise increases the force of the blood flow, thus forcing along the pent-up impurities which should be removed by the excretory organs. And, besides, it not only removes these poisons, but forces into the parts exercised a new supply of oxygen and food which has been received into the blood from the lungs and digestive organs. If the exercise is in some useful direction, that brings the mind into exercise, an enjoyment follows which can be had in no other way. The poor man who is willing and able to work, will, under the same circumstances, recover health quicker than one who does not feel his need, or lacks the desire. The best exercise should require the use of the mind, and be of an interesting nature. As the muscles work, the call for more oxygen stimulates the lungs to greater activity, and produces the result already indicated. It is a wise provision that man should earn his bread by "the sweat of his face." If we cease to work for a few days, the muscles become weak, and will contain less blood, while the blood that remains flows but slowly. But little fresh blood comes to the muscles in an idle state, and this is weak for the same reason that we are weak without food. Any part of our body not exercised becomes not only feeble, but to that degree diseased. If from poor food or insufficient exercise, a man suffers from rheumatism, it means an accumulation in the system of a certain poison; and this is the case in all parts of the body not used or in which the circulation is not free. Every contraction of the muscles generates a poison. It requires, first, oxygen to enable the muscle to contract and also to burn up or dissolve this poison, that it may be carried away by the blood as lymph.

When the muscles contract, they assist the heart in forcing the blood along the veins and arteries, which either flow through them or between them and the bones. The veins are supplied with valves, which prevent the blood from returning after having been forced past them by the muscles. By vigorous exercise the blood is carried through the brain in good volume; all its parts of the same are well supplied, and we feel a clearness of mind that is impossible to one who takes but little exercise.

Certain exercises, as splitting wood, bring into play the abdominal muscles, which, by contracting vigorously, cause a massage of the bowels, stimulating digestion and tending to relieve constipation. Deep breathing may also have the same effect, as the diaphragm is forcibly pressed against the stomach and intestines.

We thus see that exercise increases the blood flow, and sends the oxygen and food to all parts, and at the same time it brings back the poisons which should be thrown out of the body by the lungs, kidneys, bowels and skin. As the exercise is increased, all these organs are stimulated and set to work at once to get rid of the poison.

Those who have not been used to exercise and now commence, may have an experience similar to the farmer’s horse, brought out in the spring after a winter’s rest. They will have profuse perspiration, which at first is thick and soapy from the accumulated discharge when idle, but which in a short time becomes thin and loses its strong odor, altho it requires some time before the secretion is poured out as fast as it is formed. One-third of the moisture of the body should be thrown out through the skin, some of which passes into the clothing as vapor, or collects upon us so gradually that it is scarcely noticed. But by continued healthful exercise the pores and glands become cleansed thoroughly, and the circulation and health thereby improved.