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ting itself for self…protection by producing a febrile reaction whereby to kill the invading organisms; the invaders on their side have been adapting themselves for a life struggle within the body of the host。 In these mortal conflicts between invaders and host; therefore; the issue is often in doubt; and sometimes one and sometimes the other will emerge victorious。
We must believe that a similar adaptive response exists in all parasitic infectionsthe cycles varying according to the stages in the development of the invaders。 If the bacteria develop continuously; the fever is constant instead of intermittent; since the adequate stimulus is constantly present。
Bacteriology has taught us that both heat and cold are fatal to pathogenic infections; for this reason either of the apparently contradictory methods of treatment may help; _i。 e_。; either hot or cold applications。 It should be borne in mind; however; that we have to deal not only with the adult organisms; but with the spores also。 The application of cold may keep the spores from developing; while heat may promote their development; and the course of the disease may vary; therefore; according to our choice of treatment。
From this viewpoint; we can understand the intermittent temperature in a patient who is convalescing from an extreme infection; as peritonitis; pylephlebitis; multiple abscess of the liver; etc。 In these conditions there may occur days of normal temperature; followed by an abrupt rise which will last for several days this in turn succeeded by another remittance。 This cycle may be repeated several times; and on our hypothesis we may believe it is caused by the successive development to maturity of spores of varying ages。
If these premises are sound; the wisdom of reducing the temperature in case of infection may well be questioned。
On this mechanistic basis the emotions also may be explained as activations of the entire motor mechanism for fighting; for escaping; for copulating。 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The emotions; then; are the preparation for phylogenetic activities (Fig。 48)。 If the activities were consummated; the fuelglycogen and the activating secretions from the thyroid; the adrenals; the hypophysis; would be consumed。 In the activation without action these products must be eliminated as waste products and so a heavy strain is put upon the organs of elimination。 It is obvious that the body under emotion might be clarified by active muscular exercise; but the subject of the emotion is so strongly integrated thereby that it is difficult for him to engage in diverting; clarifying exertion。 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So; as we have indicated already; certain deleterious effects are produced when the body mechanism is activated without resultant action。 For example; the output of adrenalin is increased; and; as a consequence; arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease may occur in persons who have been subjected to prolonged emotional strain; since it has been proved that the prolonged administration of adrenalin will cause these conditions。 We have stated that the emotions cause increased output of glycogen。 Glycogen is a step toward diabetes; and therefore this disease; too; is prone to appear in persons under emotional strain。 It is most common in those races which are especially emotional in character; so we are not surprised to find it especially prevalent among Jews。 So common is this particular result of prolonged emotion that some one has said; 〃When the stocks go down in New York; diabetes goes up。〃 Nephritis; also; may result from emotional stress; because of the strain put upon the kidneys by the unconsumed activating substances。 The increased heart action and the presence of these activating secretions may cause myocarditis and heart degeneration。 Claudication also may result from the impaired circulation。
The emotions may cause an inhibition of the digestive secretions and of intestinal peristalsis。 This means that the digestive processes are arrested; that putrefaction and autointoxication will result; and that still further strain will thus be put upon the organs of elimination。 Who has not observed in himself and in others when under the influence of fear; anger; jealousy; or grief that the digestive processes and general well…being are rapidly and materially altered; while as tranquillity; peace; and happiness return the physical state improves accordingly?
Dentists testify that as a result of continued strong emotion the character of the saliva changes; pyorrhea develops; and the teeth decay rapidly。 Every one knows that strong emotion may cause the hair to fall out and to become prematurely gray。
As to the most important organ of allthe brainevery one is conscious of its impaired efficiency under emotional strain; and laboratory researches show that the deficiency is accounted for by actual cell deterioration; so the individual who day by day is under heavy emotional strain finds himself losing strength slowly especially do his friends note it。 By summation of stimuli his threshold becomes lowered until stimuli; which under normal conditions would be of no effect; produce undue responses。 〃The grasshopper becomes a burden;〃 and prolonged rest and change of environmental conditions are necessary for restoration。
If in a long emotional strain the brain is beaten down; if the number of 〃low…efficiency〃 cells increases; the driving power of the brain is correspondingly lessened and therefore the various organs of the body may escape through the very inefficiency of the brain to produce in them forced activity。 On the other hand; if the brain remains vigorous; the kidneys may take the strain and break down; if the kidneys do not break; the blood…vessels may harden; if the blood…vessels are not affected; the thyroid may become hyperplastic and produce Graves' disease; if the thyroid escapes; diabetes may develop; while if the iron constitution of the mechanism can successfully bear the strain in all its parts; then the individual will break his competitors; and their mechanisms will suffer in the struggle。
This whole train of deleterious results of body activation without action may be best observed and studied in that most emotional of diseasesexophthalmic goiter。 In this disease the constantly stimulated distance ceptors dispossess the contact ceptors from the common path; and drive the motor mechanism to its own destruction; and the patient has the appearance of a person in great terror; or of a runner approaching the end of a Marathon race (Figs。 16 and 48 to 54)。
Exophthalmic goiter may result from long emotional or mental stress in those cases in which the thyroid takes the brunt of the strain upon the mechanism。 As adrenalin increases blood…pressure; so thyroid secretion increases brain activity; and increased brain activity in turn causes an increased activation of the motor mechanism as a whole。
We know that a deficiency or lack of thyroid secretion will inhibit sexual emotion and conception; will produce stupidity and inertia; will diminish vitality。 On the other hand; excessive thyroid secretion drives the entire mechanism at top speed; the emotions are intensified; the skin becomes soft and moist; the eyes are brilliant and staring; the limbs tremble; the heart pounds loudly and its pulsations often are visible; the respiration is rapid; the stimulation of the fear mechanism causes the eyes to protrude (Fig。 16); the temperature mounts at every slight provoca…tion and may reach the incredible height of 110'0 even。 In time; the entire organism is destroyed literally consumedby the concentration of dynamic energy。 It is interesting to note that in these patients emotion gains complete possession of the final common path; they are wild and delirious but they never have pain。
All the diseases caused by excessive motor activity may be called kinetic diseases。 Against the conditions in life which produce them man reacts in various ways。 He intro…
{illust。 caption = FIG。 51。CROSS…COUNTRY RACE。 Winner of six…mile cross…country race showing t