QUAKE SHOCK

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15165, 5 October 1942, Page 4

QUAKE SHOCK

HOW DO YOU REACT? guanos in emergencies. (■Ry L. R. Richardson, M.Se., Ph.D.) How do you react to an earthquake, or any other form of sudden shock? Do your knees tremble, does your hair “stand on end’’ or do you just feel ill? There are two littleglands located near the kidneys which work overtime during periods of emotional stress, and the fluid they secrete does strange things you. as is explained by Dr. Richardson in this release from the New Zealand Association of Scientific The effect of an earthquake is physiological, as well as physical During the shake, we are keenly aware of the noise and vibrations in CUI- surroundings. Then in the quiet following the disturbance, most of us become aware of the marked, phv-

biological reaction which has taken place in our bodies. Some of us hud this as disturbing as the shake itself. Each of us reacts in his or her own way. In some, the hands and reef are chilled; the skin blanched; the heart races and the blood pounds; the knees weakened: and many other little changes take place. Gradually, the reaction passcs. We become calmer and regain our poise. EMERGENCY REACTION. Scientists have naaned this sudden, automatic change “the emergency reaction.” It is a natural iesponse to .the presence of danger. It appears also during emotional crises such as when we are angered, under heavy stress or suffering pain. The explanation of this instantaneous reaction has long been a scientific problem, but the accumulating evidence of recent years lias supported tile belief that it is due to the liberation of relatively large quantities of epinephrin (better known to the public* as adrenalin) into the blood • stream. \ Epinephrin is manufactured in the suprarenal glands, two small bodies located near the kidneys. Circulated to all parts of the body in the blood, epinephrin affects the various organs in different ways. The sum of these

I changes closely resembles the total reaction which occurs i R our bodies during a shake. Epinephrin constricts tlie tiny teirninal arteries in the skin, stomach and intestine- but it dilates these vessels in the muscles of the arms, legs and chest. Since less blood passes to the skin, the skin blanches , and chills; but more blood can now pass to the muscles, which receive larger quantities of oxygen and fooa, and so can act longer without fatigue setting in. Epineplirin causes blood-pressure to rise, but soon the nervous system takes control again ! and the blood-pressure is kept witli- | in safe limits. Epinephrin also sti--1 inulates Ike liver fe> '«* easo lal " e

amounts of glycogen, which ns a | source of energy for th'e muscles. >, There are many other changes \ brought about by epinephrin. It | can produce dilation of the pujnls; i erect the hair; widen the bronchial j tubes and so facilitate breathing; and so on. The studies made by > Stewart and Asher have shown that V i u normal times there are only slight traces of epinephrin hr the blood;

but Cannon has shown that when a eat is under emotional stress, relatively large quantities of epinephrin are poured into the blood-stream. While an emergency lasts, the reaction increases the efficiency of the body for its own protection. During tlie peak of the reaction, we are more alert mentally and quicker to respond than at other times. We have more energy to use in a shorter space of time than normally. If we are wise we can assist nature protect us by carefully planning out y course of action to follow during an emergency. Think now of what you should do, and you will usually find when an emergency arises that vou act swiftly and automatically as you had planned. Some people have a feeling of “ helplessness. ” This usually comes after the emergency, and like many ’ Oi the single symptoms we experi- > mice, this is a warning of the : change that has taken place. It is ’ the reaction to tlie “emergency re- > action” and it advisee us to rest ' while the body recovers from the [ strain which has been placed on it. ' The “emergency reaction” is pro- > vided to protect us in a crisis. The > majority of scientists believe that > epinephrin act* like a super-charger * and speeds up cur bodily mechanism. > If we realise that this reaction is > standing by at all times to lndp us, if we plan out our course to follow, , and if we rest when the body warns > ns that the emergency has passed, ’ ,ve need have no fear of the physi- > ologieal changes we feel after a , shake; but can help nature to help 11 <5 in times of danger.