Endothermy

“ If any obstructing blood or other fluid should be deposited in quantities great enough to stop other fluids from passing on their way, Nature will fire up its engine to remove such deposits by converting fluids into gas. As heat and motion have much to do as remedies, we may expect fever and pain until nature's furnace produces heat, forms and converts its fluids into gas and other deposits, and passes them through the excretories to space, and allows the body to work normally again. ”

“ He showed that blood, in passing out from the kidneys, is warmer than when it enters, and the same is true of blood passing through the liver, lie ascertained, too, that the vital fluid is chilled in going through the lungs, and consequently the temperature of the left cavities of the heart is lower than that of the right, by an average of two-tenths of a degree. The last fact clearly proves that the lungs are not the furnace of animal heat, and that the blood, in the act of revivification, grows cool instead of warm.
Ancient physiologists supposed that life has the power of producing heat ”

“ In the generation of heat in a stove, air, or oxygen, is as essential as the wood or coal. It is equally 263 so in the production of animal heat. The oxygen of the inspired air should be in proportion to the carbon and hydrogen to be consumed. This requires voluminous lungs, together with free movements of the ribs and diaphragm. A person whose chest is small, and whose apparel is worn tight over the ribs, suffers more from the cold, and complains more frequently of chilliness and cold extremities, than the broad-chested and loosely dressed. ”

“ But during the hot fit the cutaneous absorbents act also with increased energy, and the exhalation is likewise increased by the greater heat of the skin; and hence it does not appear in drops on the surface, but is in part reabsorbed, and in part dissipated in the atmosphere. But as the mouths of the cutaneous absorbents are exposed to the cool air or bedclothes; whilst those of the capillary glands, which secrete the perspirable matter, are exposed to the warmth of the circulating blood; the former, as soon as the fever-fit begins to decline, lose their increased action first ”

“ Ether Vapour.—The vapour of ether has caused death. Entering the blood through the lungs, it acts with great rapidity, a state of lethargy being quickly induced.
The early symptoms are noticed in a modification of respiration, the breathing becoming slow, prolonged, and stertorous. The face is pale, the lips bluish, and the surface of the body cold and exsanguine. The pulse, at first quickened, becomes slower, as the inhalation of the vapour is continued. The pupils are dilated, and the eyes glassy and fixed. ”

“ Physiologists point to the evaporation of water from the surface of the human body as being one of the most perfect adaptations of means to ends exhibited in the whole circle of life. The vital activities of the body occasion the constant production of heat. At times the heat is greater than is needed, and would destroy the vitality of certain tissues if it were not speedily conducted away, just as too much heat in a stove would melt the iron of the stove. The evaporation of water from the skin accomplishes this heat dispersal. ”

“ Heat has the effect of dilating the blood vessels and hastens repair in bruised, strained, or torn tissues. This is a variety of hyperemia treatment which is especially useful in the absence of bacteria. In infected areas the growth of bacteria, and increased pus formation, would be encouraged and heat is contraindicated.
We are yet without an antiseptic material which can be used in sufficient strength to affect the growth of germs and yet not injure the patient. Injury of the part treated, and absorption into the circulation are both to be avoided. ”

“ Kindred organs are called upon to do the work of body covering, and danger lurks in forced exertion. A chill precedes a fever; the pores are closed; intense heat is generated; the fever is cured when perspiration with subsequent evaporation is restored. A very striking exemplification of these facts is given in cases of cutaneous burns where large areas are affected. Respiration is increased to exhaustion, and kidney discharges are highly colored with waste that ordinarily is eliminated through the pores. If an extreme proportion of skin area is seared, suffocation ensues. ”

“ Heat, cold, water and light are effective because of their action upon the distribution of circulation, rate of metabolism, the local [Pg 351] and reflex nerves, the heart action, the chemical condition of the blood. Their therapeutic use has only in recent years become a science. Extensive study and experience is necessary for their efficient application. A few fundamental principles will guide in their ordinary use, but only a physician trained in hydrotherapy and thermotherapy can give directions meeting every factor in an individual case. ”

“ Artificial heat must be applied to the patient's body and extremities by means of hot water bags, bottles, bricks, plates, or any other handy device. Blankets should be put around the patient and every possible means resorted to, to maintain body heat. Mustard plasters may be put to the heart, spine and shins. Stimulants are necessary, such as hot black coffee if possible or hot water, in which a small portion of brandy may be put. If brandy is not obtainable the patient may take aromatic spirits of ammonia in hot water every twenty minutes for a number of doses. ”

“ It must not be overlooked that the air may be fresh and pure, and yet not able to penetrate all parts of the lungs because of superficial and improper breathing.
Relation of Respiration to Body Heat.—The heat of the body is generated by the oxidation of the tissues. The chilliness experienced by persons engaged in sedentary occupations is by no means always caused by the low temperature of the room, as will be proved by the thermometer, but by the close air of the room and superficial respiration, which causes internal overheating with imperfect combustion. ”

“ In contrast, PVH-lesioned rats were allowed to select their preferred Ta and used behavioral thermoregulation (moved to a warmer environment) while responding to LPS administration in the present study. Not only does a supraneutral environment warms the body of a rat exposed to it, but it also allows the animal to mount the fever response by using skin vasoconstriction instead of the energetically expensive thermogenesis [48] , [49] . Hence, the PVH is likely involved in the circuitry of fever when the response is mounted primarily by activation of brown fat thermogenesis. ”

“ As we know, all activity of the body requires an expenditure of energy, so if the body is exposed to a cold damp air for an abnormal length of time it will necessitate an increased expenditure of internal energy to meet the increased demands for heat and thus dissipate forces that should and would, under normal conditions, be utilized in the metabolism of the body. If the heat production is at a minimum in the body, which it may be, due to several factors such as old age, infancy, or dis-ease, this exposure to lowered temperature and high humidity will result in injury to the body. ”

“ And it is by the constant modification of these two factors, (1) heat production and (2) heat loss, that the constant temperature of a warm-blooded animal is maintained. Heat is lost to the body through the faeces and urine, respiration, conduction and radiation from the skin, and by evaporation of perspiration. The following are approximately the relative amounts of heat lost through these various channels (different authorities give somewhat different figures) :—faeces and urine about 3, respiration about 20, skin (conduction, radiation and evaporation) about 77. ”

“ Was digestion—Eremacausis, as the slow combustion produced by combination with oxygen is called—the only source of animal heat, why should the injury of one filmy nerve place a member of the body for ever in the condition of stony coldness? Or why, chemical action being most actively continued after a violent death, by the action of the gastric juices upon the animal tissues, should not animal heat be maintained for a much longer period than it is found to be after respiration has ceased? ”

“ There are cases in which a very great deal can be done to relieve a congested state of the vessels of the stomach, and even a similar state of the lungs, by only bathing the hands in hot water and then rubbing them with hot oil till they have been thoroughly heated and reddened, as they are when effectually warmed. Half-an-hour's bathing of hands in water just a little above blood heat produces a wonderful effect on an invalid when there is too great weakness to stand longer treatment. ”

“ When the body is heated to a certain degree, the fluid portions are all directed to the skin, and escape gradually through these pores in the form of perspiration, and the cooling power thus produced is capable of immediately removing the superabundant heat. The moment perspiration broke out on the bodies of the experimenters who ventured into the heated oven, all sense of pain was removed; and in many fatal disorders to which man is subject, the first symptom of returning health is a similar occurrence. ”

“ By the application of heat the tissue may be charred and the albumen of the blood and tissue fluids coagulated. Living cells are very susceptible to the action of heat, a temperature of 130 degrees being the thermal death point, and even lower temperatures are fatal when their action is prolonged. The action of the heat may produce definite coagulation of the fluid within the cells in the same way that the white of an egg is coagulated. ”

“ But if by drinking cold water the system is severely chilled so that prostration takes place, endeavor to secure warmth by giving a teaspoonful paregoric, and rubbing the hands and body briskly; and if the patient can be brought sufficiently to his senses he should be made to drink enough warm water to induce vomiting; this excites circulation and perspiration, and determines towards the surface. Warm applications should be made to the feet and to the region of the stomach, and the body should be warmed as soon as possible. ”

“ Treatment.
The first indications obviously are to let the subject down, and remove all constriction of neck and chest. Artificial respiration should then be used, and this may be assisted by the vapor of ammonia to the nose and tickling the fauces. If the body is warm, cold affusions may be applied to the head and chest, and galvanism may be used.
If the body is cold, apply warmth. Friction of the limbs aids in restoring warmth. If the subject can swallow give stimulants; these may also be used by rectum. ”

“ The writer has long regarded the abnormal production of gaseous substances in the intestinal canal from putrefactive changes as of itself not only a grave menace to health, but as a condition productive of morbific results of which we have still much to learn. The more or less constant and excessive distention of the whole or even of a part of the intestinal canal by gases is a serious condition, affecting as it does the various organs of the body, not only through the absorption of these gases into the general circulation but also through the reflex nervous reaction of these organs. ”

“ In all cases of difficult breathing or signs of croup, with or without hot skin, a soft flannel cloth should be wrung out of hot water, and laid over the entire chest, close up under the chin and ears; and if the bowels are bound, it may extend to the belly, the whole being covered with a dry, warm flannel. By this means the force of a cold can be broken, 31the breathing relieved, and in a majority of cases it is all that is required to be done. Even in severe cases of lung fever, warm water applications are invaluable; acting as an absorbent through the medium of the pores of the skin. ”

“ The principal remedy is heat, because it engenders a higher rate of vibration of the electrons. For this reason steam baths and other methods of applying heat prove highly remedial in negative diseases of the catarrhal and kindred varieties. They increase the vibration of electrons throughout the body and consequently, stimulate metabolism. The morbid activity of the mucous membranes is reduced and the blood flows actively again toward the surface, so that the internal organs experience immediate relief from abnormal pressure. ”

“ Feverish Conditions in the Body Before Death.—Fever is the name usually given to the rise of temperature that goes with inflammation. In severe inflammatory [200] diseases, the tissues lose much of their moisture through the arrest of the saturating power of the blood stream and the disturbance of circulation. The skin contains a sub-normal amount of moisture when the embalmer reaches these cases, which may be further reduced by outward evaporation and the dehydrating power of the embalming fluid. ”

“ With its millions of pores, the skin is on the one side the main sewer for carrying away superfluous fluids, and on the other it is the principal factor in cooling the body, in colds, in overheating, and in fevers. We will now consider skin-ventilation from this point of view under the two heads of—a. Elimination of fluids; b. Reduction of temperature:
a. Elimination of Fluids.—Like the external skin, the inner skin, the mucous membrane, exudes moisture, sweats. The mucous membranes, having no covering, are always moist. The mucous membrane of the lungs exhales watery vapor. ”