登陆注册
4281000000192

第192章

Psychologic Effects of Cold.--Lambert says that the mind acts more quickly in cold weather, and that there has been a notion advanced that the emotion of hatred is much stronger in cold weather, a theory exemplified by the assassination of Paul of Russia, the execution of Charles of England, and that of Louis of France. Emotions, such as love, bravery, patriotism, etc., together with diverse forms of excitement, seem to augment the ability of the human body to endure cold.

Cold seems to have little effect on the generative function. In both Sweden, Norway, and other Northern countries the families are as large, if not larger, than in other countries. Cold undoubtedly imparts vigor, and, according to DeThou, Henry IIIlost his effeminacy and love of pleasure in winter and reacquired a spirit of progress and reformation. Zimmerman has remarked that in a rigorous winter the lubberly Hollander is like the gayest Frenchman. Cold increases appetite, and Plutarch says Brutus experienced intense bulimia while in the mountains, barely escaping perishing. With full rations the Greek soldiers under Xenophon suffered intense hunger as they traversed the snow-clad mountains of Armenia.

Beaupre remarks that those who have the misfortune to be buried under the snow perish less quickly than those who are exposed to the open air, his observations having been made during the retreat of the French army from Moscow. In Russia it is curious to see fish frozen stiff, which, after transportation for great distances, return to life when plunged into cold water.

Sudden death from cold baths and cold drinks has been known for many centuries. Mauriceau mentions death from cold baptism on the head, and Graseccus, Scaliger, Rush, Schenck, and Velschius mention deaths from cold drinks. Aventii, Fabricius Hildanus, the Ephemerides, and Curry relate instances of a fatal issue following the ingestion of cold water by an individual in a superheated condition. Cridland describes a case of sudden insensibility following the drinking of a cold fluid. It is said that Alexander the Great narrowly escaped death from a constrictive spasm, due to the fact that while in a copious sweat he plunged into the river Cydnus. Tissot gives an instance of a man dying at a fountain after a long draught on a hot day.

Hippocrates mentions a similar fact, and there are many modern instances.

The ordinary effects of cold on the skin locally and the system generally will not be mentioned here, except to add the remark of Captain Wood that in Greenland, among his party, could be seen ulcerations, blisters, and other painful lesions of the skin. In Siberia the Russian soldiers cover their noses and ears with greased paper to protect them against the cold. The Laplanders and Samoiedes, to avoid the dermal lesions caused by cold (possibly augmented by the friction of the wind and beating of snow), anoint their skins with rancid fish oil, and are able to endure temperatures as low as -40 degrees F. In the retreat of the 10,000 Xenophon ordered all his soldiers to grease the parts exposed to the air.

Effects of Working in Compressed Air.--According to a writer in Cassier's Magazine, the highest working pressures recorded have been close to 50 pounds per square inch, but with extreme care in the selection of men, and corresponding care on the part of the men, it is very probable that this limit may be considerably exceeded. Under average conditions the top limit may be placed at about 45 pounds, the time of working, according to conditions, varying from four to six hours per shift. In the cases in which higher pressures might be used, the shifts for the men should be restricted to two of two hours each, separated by a considerable interval. As an example of heavy pressure work under favorable conditions as to ventilation, without very bad effects on the men, Messrs. Sooysmith & Company had an experience with a work on which men were engaged in six-hour shifts, separated into two parts by half-hour intervals for lunch. This work was excavation in open, seamy rock, carried on for several weeks under about 45pounds pressure. The character of the material through which the caisson is being sunk or upon which it may be resting at any time bears quite largely upon the ability of the men to stand the pressure necessary to hold back the water at that point. If the material be so porous as to permit a considerable leakage of air through it, there will naturally result a continuous change of air in the working chamber, and a corresponding relief of the men from the deleterious effects which are nearly always produced by over-used air.

From Strasburg in 1861 Bucuoy reports that during the building of a bridge at Kehl laborers had to work in compressed air, and it was found that the respirations lost their regularity; there were sometimes intense pains in the ears, which after a while ceased.

It required a great effort to speak at 2 1/2 atmospheres, and it was impossible to whistle. Perspiration was very profuse. Those who had to work a long time lost their appetites, became emaciated, and congestion of the lung and brain was observed. The movements of the limbs were easier than in normal air, though afterward muscular and rheumatic pains were often observed.

The peculiar and extraordinary development of the remaining special senses when one of the number is lost has always been a matter of great interest. Deaf people have always been remarkable for their acuteness of vision, touch, and smell. Blind persons, again, almost invariably have the sense of hearing, touch, and what might be called the senses of location and temperature exquisitely developed. This substitution of the senses is but; an example of the great law of compensation which we find throughout nature.

同类推荐
  • 樵史通俗演义

    樵史通俗演义

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 高上玉宸忧乐章

    高上玉宸忧乐章

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Uncle Remus

    Uncle Remus

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 海国四说

    海国四说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 皇明本纪

    皇明本纪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 听龙永图谈经济与经营之道

    听龙永图谈经济与经营之道

    中国经济已走到全球化发展的关键时刻。中国经济如何在战略大调整中保持旺盛生命力,中国企业如何才能与世界500强企业比肩,中国品牌如何在国际道路上披荆斩棘,中国企业如何应对经济危机?中国复关及入世谈判的首席谈判代表,原国家外经贸部副部长、博鳌亚洲论坛理事、秘书长龙永图先生对上述问题提供了自己见解。
  • 南亚三国行

    南亚三国行

    2006年3月,老伴随贸促会组织的参访团去参加在印度孟买举办的亚洲企业峰会,顺访斯里兰卡和马尔代夫。我曾去欧洲和俄罗斯旅游过,领略过欧陆风光,对同属东方文明而又与中国有很大差异的南亚风情心仪已久,便乘此机会同行,游览了南亚三国。此行的主要目的地是印度,但出国的第一站和回国前的最后一站都是斯里兰卡。前后在斯里兰卡住了三晚,游览了两个整天。斯里兰卡被誉为“印度洋上一颗璀璨的明珠”。短短两天观光,浮光掠影,但总的感觉还是不虚此行。
  • 干部是干出来的:做最优秀的新时期党员

    干部是干出来的:做最优秀的新时期党员

    党的事业不是写出来的,也不是讲出来的,更不是想出来的,党的事业是干部引领群众干出来的。干是真理、是真功,是最有说服力的实际行动;不干,半点马列主义也没有。干部干部,先干一步。只有干出来的干部,人民才信得过,自己才立得起,路才能走得稳。实干兴邦,空谈误国。只有通过埋头苦干,科学实干,才能真正干出干部的人生价值。
  • 老陶杂谈

    老陶杂谈

    书中作者就当前社会的一些现象和事件,生活中的小常识,发表了自己的看法和意见,希望能对广大读者有所帮助。
  • 四爷的心尖宠妃

    四爷的心尖宠妃

    ‘悲惨’的事实告诉我们,穿越是个技术活。而显然叶枣技术一般。被自家便宜舅舅骗进人家府里做小妾也就算了,为毛是四爷府上?还是个侍妾,这怎么混?起点太低,出身太差,筹码太少!大BOSS血太厚,小BOSS个个要命!左思右想,装贤惠会死,因为前有乌拉那拉氏。装泼辣会死,因为后有李侧福晋。生儿子不能养,不生儿子没依靠,这日子怎么过都是个愁!好不容易从府里混进宫里,上头还有一位太后娘娘嫌弃她长得不庄重!还好四爷不嫌弃,并且暗戳戳的就是喜欢她长得不庄重!叶枣的目标是好好过日子,锦衣玉食高高在上。
  • 江南冬景(感动青少年的文学名家名作精选集)

    江南冬景(感动青少年的文学名家名作精选集)

    文学作品是以语言为手段塑造形象来反映社会生活、表达作者思想感情的一种艺术,是人生的一面镜子。好的文学作品具有潜移默化的巨大作用,它能够开阔视野,增长知识,陶冶我们的情操。
  • 偷天圣尊

    偷天圣尊

    穿越异世,一朝崛起,快意恩仇,万世不移!你便是风暴又何妨,因为我,将会成为掌控风暴的人!
  • 周易参同契

    周易参同契

    在汉代出现了一部对后世影响极大的奇书,这部书虽然在当时默默流传,世人很难理解它的奥秘;但唐代后名声大振,宋代时被称为“万古丹经王”、“丹经之祖”、“丹中王”,可谓古今炼丹第一书。
  • 中华励志故事

    中华励志故事

    我们从古以来,就有埋头苦干的人,有拼命硬干的人,有为民请命的人,有舍身求法的人。
  • 大神快到碗里来嘛

    大神快到碗里来嘛

    【2018王者荣耀文学大赛·征文参赛作品】她,是不擅与异性交流的二次元精分宅女。他,是厌恶一切贪慕虚荣之女的腹黑总裁,一场意外。她和他视作仇敌。游戏里,她无赖耍横,追得他上天入地,避之不及。现实中,她惧他犹如蛇蝎,好似猛兽。“你不行~”她素指微勾,笑颜挑衅,不料下一刻便被自家的冷傲总裁支手深抵墙角,冷唇微潋,挑起一抹暧昧绝颜。“行不行,要试过才知道!”“……”以后的日日夜夜,钱小朵看着化身为狼的某人,每每悔不当初,呜呜┭┮﹏┭┮总裁,求放过~【精分宅女VS腹黑霸道总裁】【妖艳女王VS风流浪荡阔少】欢迎入坑~