"WONDERS OF THE BLOOD."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19748, 22 September 1927, Page 14

"WONDERS OF THE BLOOD."

ITS SERVICES TO THE BODY. " The human body is equipped with devices of the most elaborate and exquisite nicety (or keeping itself in working order," said Dr. Bevan Brown in s lecture at the University College last evening. His lecture bore the, title "The Wonders of the Blood." It was given under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association, and was the third of a series undertaken by the British Medical Association, with a view to informing the lay public on certain aspects of health matters, which it considered ought to be of popular interest. Dr. E. G Gunson presided. "The body is a great commonwealth of cells. They are highly differentiated, and among thein there is no question of equality/* said the lecturer. He explained that while some were Simple others were highly specialised and of immense importance to the body. The principal constituents of the blood were described. ■ Dr. Bevan Brown explained that respiration was one of the most important of the many services rendered to the body by the blood. It was estimated that the lungs contained 700,000.000 tiny air ceils, which presented a total surface of about 100 square yards. The blood a* it left the long was about 90 per cent, saturated with oxygen, -which was taken up by certain tissues through which it passed. The service* of the blood in the processes of digestion were next fully explained, and illustrated. The muscular system was dependent or. the blood for the supply of energy and for the removal of waste products, chiefly carbon di-oxide and lactic acid, said the lecturer. The excretory system was alio Ultimately dependent on the hW»I supply to enable it to do its work. The complicated relation between the blood and the nervous system «-a$ alsc touched on Much interesting information was .given about blood pressure, asd it was stated that roughly speaking the pressure m a man's arteries was equal to 100 millimetres plus his age in years. The lectcre was illustrated, and at the close very hearty thanks and appreciation were expressed to Dr. Bevan Browo.