CHAPTER I.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF BRAIN AND BODY.

The vitality and activity of every organ of the body is maintained and controlled by mental impulse, which is transmitted or individualized by the brain, transmitted in the form of mental impulse through the channels provided by the nerves. The brain consists of three parts: the cerebrum or fore brain, the cerebellum or back brain, and the medulla oblongata.

The nervous system consists of two kinds of nervous tissue. One of these is called the white substance, composed of nerve filaments, and is found in the trunks and branches of nerves on the exterior of the spinal cord and in the internal parts of the brain. The grey substance is composed of granular matter and ganglionic cells. This forms the external layer of convolutions of the brain. This substance forms itself into a double chain of nerve masses or ganglia which are connected by intervening cords and extends down on either side of the spinal column. It is also found in the interior of the spinal cord, the walls of the internal organs and in various parts of the body, forming large plexuses. The solar system, also called the abdominal brain, is the greatest collection of nerve matter in the body outside the skull. Other collections of sympathetic nerve matter are found in the chest and pelvic organs.

Natural will-power can direct its force wherever it is wanted, be it for work or rest; it can sustain on bread and water for many days. Without substance there can be no power. Substantial food, fresh air, water and natural exercise develop strong bodies and minds.

The Brain.

The brain is covered by three membranes, called meninges. One, composed of fibrous substance, forms the lining of the interior of the skull and extends downward around the spinal cord. Next to this is a loose meshwork of delicate fibers, called the arachnoid. The inner membrane rests directly upon the brain substance which encloses a meshwork of small blood vessels and lymph channels. At the base of the brain these blood vessels form a circle, called the circle of “Willis.” Through it the blood is evenly distributed into the fine microscopical structures of the brain.

The cerebrum, or fore brain, is divided into two hemispheres, each of which is further divided into numerous lobes consisting of grey and white nervous substance and millions of nerve cells and fine blood vessels. The hemispheric ganglia are the instruments through which the intellectual powers manifest themselves. If these instruments have become imperfect in structure through retarded development by wrong environment and education, or have been damaged in any manner by severe shock, violence or disease, the manifestations of intelligence are affected in a corresponding degree.

The cerebellum also is composed of grey and white matter and lies at the back part of the base of the skull. It has no convolutions, but is subdivided by many parallel ridges. The pons varolii is the bridge of brain matter which unites various parts of the brain, connecting the cerebrum with the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The cerebellum is the seat of co-ordination, or associating power, through which the various muscular movements are effected.

The medulla oblongata is situated at the top of the spine, on issuing from the skull it enters the spinal column and then is known as the spinal cord. Any injury to this part is more fatal than to any other part of the brain.

By natural feeding, overwork is not possible. The body demands rest when its strength is exhausted. Artificial stimulants are deceivers. They make a man feel strong when he is weak. They produce artificial heat and will-power and an abnormal temperature; they lead to overwork, abnormal development and degenerate brains and bodies.

The cranial nerves are twelve in number on each side and originate in the brain. In addition to these we have thirty one pair of nerves branching out from the spinal column. The spinal nerves also originate in the brain, they converge at its base and form the spinal cord which passes out of the skull through an opening called the foramen magnum into and through the center of the circular spaces in the vertebrae of the spinal column.

The white fibres of the spinal cord consist of collections of nerve filaments, each of which carries on a special work in the transmission of nerve impulses to and from the brain. Each nerve arises from two roots, a motor and a sensory root. The divisions and sub-divisions from these filaments form minute plexuses and fine nerve branches which finally terminate in the muscles, skin and various organs of the body. Each of these five nerve branches consist of neurons and dendrites, by which motions and sensations are carried to and from the brain. These nerve impulses which are carried to and from the nerve centers by a mysterious energy, resemble electricity and can be studied much the same as electrical currents.

The Sympathetic or Involuntary Nervous System.

The chains of the sympathetic nervous system are connected by cross branches to the sympathetic nerve ganglia on either side of the spine. It also connects by cross branches and nerve plexuses with the central nervous system or white nerve fibres. While the white nerve fibres, also called the animal nerves, are largely concerned with the voluntary acts of the body, the functions of the sympathetic, or vegetative nerves, are those concerned with the health of the body. They govern circulation, digestion and elimination, and the repair which takes place after a tissue is injured. The sympathetic nerves spread to every part of the body, especially to the vital organs. An individual who is richly supplied with nervous matter of this nature has more endurance (or vegetative force) than one who is not so endowed. While the brain and body of man wears out from the day’s work and sleep is absolutely necessary, the functions of the heart and lungs and the work of nutrition must go on just the same, but during this time the sympathetic nerves carry on the vital processes of the body without interruption. They never sleep.

CIRCULATION.

The blood is a circulatory fluid and is pumped by the heart through the arteries to every part of the body. The arteries are elastic tube-like canals with walls consisting of fibrous material and are lined by delicate muscular layers. The arteries in their distribution communicate freely with one another, dividing and sub-dividing, becoming continually smaller, until they can no longer be traced by the naked eye. These smallest branches are called capillaries. It is by means of them that metabolism becomes possible. The nutriment of the blood passes out through their walls into the tissues and the waste from the tissues passes back into the blood. These unite forming larger vessels called veins which carry the waste matter back to the heart and lungs. The color of the venous blood is dark blue while that of the arteries is bright red.

The Lymphatics.

The lymphatic system consists of lacteals, glands and lymphatic vessels. The lacteals are small vessels originating in the villi of the small intestine side by side with the blood vessels. They contain the milk-white fluid called chyle. The lymphatic vessels, like the arteries and veins, are tubular canals, lined with delicate muscular layers and membrane. They unite with each other, gradually forming larger vessels. In their course they pass through numerous lymphatic glands and finally unite into two great trunks.

Sunlight is a great disinfectant. Dark rooms are a breeding place for tuberculous germs. Daily out of door exercise in the sunshine will increase health and reduce the coal bill. Without exercise our food can be of little benefit to us.

Absorption.

The alimentary tract with its different departments resembles somewhat a manufacturing plant. The first of these departments is the mouth. When mastication and insalivation are completed, the food is conveyed by deglutition to the stomach. Here it is subjected to churning and chemical changes by the involuntary muscles and the secretion of the gastric juice. When this is accomplished, the contents pass into the intestine. Here they mingle with fluids secreted by the gall bladder and pancreas. Food which has been reduced to chyme by the stomach is now reduced to chyle or liquefied food and is absorbed by the lacteals. When the digested material is absorbed and carried to the liver, the glands and other blood making organs, the process is called sanguification. From there the blood is carried to the heart and lungs to receive oxygen and then it is distributed to the different organs and tissues of the body. These processes are directed by the intelligence of the sympathetic nervous system which therefore governs the nutrition of the central nervous system, known as the animal nerves. Space is too limited to go into a discussion of the functional activities of the different ductless glands and their relation to the tissue metabolism.

Drink sufficient pure natural water between your meals. There is danger in over-drinking as well as in under-drinking.