Practical suggestions for the prevention of consumption / by G. Calvert Holland.

Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical suggestions for the prevention of consumption / by G. Calvert Holland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    effects produced on these organs, which as they necessitate increased respiration, it is somewhat difficult to separate the direct from the indii'ect results. It must also be admitted that the indirect are the chief causes of the altered character of the respiration. Most kinds of exercise, when taken for the pleasure which they afford, and especially in the society of others, create exhilarating feelings, which in their varied modes of expression exert a marked influence on the functions of respiration. Hence exercise in the company of others — from the cheerful stimulus which is imparted to the mind, —gently arousing its faculties,—is far more bene- ficial than when indulged in alone. In this case we only extract half the good which it is capable of con- ferring. A solitary walk is almost like dining alone. The exercise and the food may be both excellent, and well calculated to nomish and strengthen the body, but they want the co-operation of agreeably excited emotions to give them the full advantage of their salutary influence. XXXI. We must now say a few words on the nature of the changes produced in the blood by exercise. It is unnecessary to remark that health depends on the healthy condition of this fluid. The fact is too obvious to need illustration. It may possibly be said that it is difficult to determine when the blood is in this state. We may lay down this general rule as a guide to solve the question. Whenever the amount of active exercise taJcen is unequal to the necessities of the system, as manifested by a variety of symptoms, such as a feeble or