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Circulation Of The Blood

Sources: Papers On Health

Nothing is more important for the health or

healing of any organ or part of the body than a good supply of arterial

blood. Venous blood, collected by the veins after it has done its work

all over the body, or blood stagnating in congested organs, is useless

for growth and healing. To promote a vigorous circulation of blood in

any part we wish to cure is, then, of great importance; this may be

done by helping the heart
n various ways, especially if that be weak.

Lying down, and lying comfortably on the face, greatly assists

circulation. Placing a fainting person in this position will often

suffice to restore him. In congestion of any part, if possible keep

that part,--head, hand, or foot, as the case may be--above the level,

so that the escape of blood from it may be easy. Raising an inflamed

finger or toe thus, and keeping it up, will often relieve severe pain.

In inflamed kidneys, make the sufferer lie on his face as much as

possible. Other positions in other cases will be suggested by common

sense.



Again, heat expands the vessels of the body, and cold contracts them.

Cooling a congested part assists to drive excess of blood out of it,

and heating some other part opens accommodation for the blood so

expelled. This explains our hot poultice and fomentation as used with

cold cloths. Common sense will show us how to apply it as a principle

of treatment in many cases.



Again, a congested limb may often be very greatly relieved by proper

rubbing along the soft parts, the strokes being firm and steady, and

directed from the extremity of the limb towards the body. This rubbing

along the thigh relieves very much all swellings in the foot, ankle,

leg and knee. This principle may be widely applied by a little

common-sense thought.



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