SCIENCE OF KEEPING FIT

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 8

SCIENCE OF KEEPING FIT

“SWEAT IT OUT” The influenza epidemic of flic past winter—a far more severe visitation than most people suppose—has left its inevitable trail of woe behind it (writes a medical correspondent in the London ' Times'). During tbs past two or three months there has been what amounts almost to an epidemic of minor ills—ranging from simple neuralgias to nervous breakdowns. As a rule, these have not been connected by their victims with the winter outbreak

The connection, however, is there, and it is real. The influenza poison is so severe that long periods are required to get it out of the system in any case. In this particular -use the poison was of an exceptionally violent type; relief from its after-effects is likely to be slow in accomplishing 'tself. AYc re sure to heat more about the. nervous ailments which have been and are prevalent. It should be noted that they are nervous ailments. Obscure as the rv'hole problem of influenza remains, one thing is emerging clearly—namely, that influenza is V disease which attacks the nervous system primarily. It poisons the nervous system. And consequently it effects derangements of every organ in so far as organs can be deranged by disturbances of their nerve supply. The “ influenza heart,” as it is called, for example, is not heart disease in the strict sense of that term. Tho heart itself is ;not diseased, But the 'nerves whi.ch contvol the heart are upset, and consequently the organ functions badly. There may bo bouts of, palpitation ; there, may be sudden feelings of faintness; there may be breathlessness or pain. These symptoms are very distressing,' and often arouse fears which, happily, are not justified.

The same slate of affairs prevails, frequently, in the digestive organs. There have been lately many cases of “ nervous dyspepsia,” of “ nervous indigestion,” of “heartburn.” Here again we are dealing, probably, with a disturbance of function rather than with actual disease. The disturbance will pass away when the nerves are finally liberated from the influenza poison. NERVE TROUBLES. Rheumatic pains, lumbago, sciatica, neuritis, and—in the realm of the mind depression,, insomnia, and exhaustion, may all be. expressions of this toxic condition of the nerves. It follows that, at the present moment, what is called “ elimination ” is a bodily process which demands special attention. How does Nature rid herself of poisons? It. will be generally agreed that tho process which is called “ sweating out ” is one of the most valuable means of getting rid of noxious materials. At tho end of most illnesses “ a heavy sweat ” marks the moment of release.

Wo can imitate this natural process with very great advantage. _ Little doubt can exist that brisk exercise, producing an active state of the skin, followed by a hot bath and a good “ rub down ” with a bard towel, is a really effective method of getting poison out of the system—perhaps the most effective method which exists

The result, of a few heavy sweats, produced naturally in this fashion, is frequently dramatic. Ailments which had seemed to be deep-seated begin to clear up, and the whole body knows a new vigour. Depression of spirits gives place to cheerfulness. Sweating must, however, be naturally induced. The results obtained by the use of drugs given to promote sweating are not so satisfactory. Such drugs are dangerous, except in the hands of experienced physicians. _ A second method of elimination, of less value, is file drinking of fairly large quantities of water, or, if preferred, of

barley water. This does give relief in some instances, but its effectiveness is greatly enhanced if it is combined with vigorous exercise—that is to say, with sweating. The increased intake of water then -serves as a means of “ flushing ” out the skin and so of sweeping out the poison. We look to our summer holidays to remove tho effects of our winters work and to strengthen us against the coming winter. The best holiday is that which restores and cleanses the body while at the same time refreshing the mind. In the present year the burden of “ winter poison ” is very heavy: holidays this year ought to be looked on, first and foremost, as periods set aside for the complete cleansing of the nervous system.