19 ANSWERS TO PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 



39. How does one cough in his sleep ? 



By the reflex action of the near nervous centers. A 

 tickling in the throat, or some other cause, acts as the 

 stimulus to excite their action. 



40. Give illustrations of the unconscious action of the 

 brain. 



(See Physiology, page 225.) 



194. i. Why does a laundress test the temperature of her 

 flat-iron by holding it near her cheek ? 



The sense of warmth is very keen in the palms of the 

 hand, the cheek, etc. This sensation is much less deli- 

 cate in the lips and the back of the hand. 



2. When we are cold, why do we spread the palms of our 

 hands before the fire ? 



(See Question i.) 



3. What is meant by a ''''furred tongue ? " 



In health, the tongue has hardly a discernible lining, 

 but in disease, the epithelium, or scarf skin, accumulates, 

 and gives a white, coated appearance. This covering is 

 likely to be of a yellowish shade when the liver is dis- 

 turbed, and brown or dark in blood diseases. One's oc- 

 cupation often colors it Thus it is said the tongue of a 

 tea-taster has a curious orange-tint. 



4. Why has sand or sulphur no taste ? 

 They are insoluble in the saliva. 



5. What was the origin of the word palatable I 



The mistaken notion that the palate, or roof of the 

 mouth, is the seat of the taste. 



