THE NXW-COKTAGiOUS DISEASES. 195 



is eliminated as fast as produced, health is the result; 

 but when the equilibrium is disturbed, disease is the 

 result. It is understood, of course, that there may be 

 a natural increase, or decrease ; i. e., should a man com- 

 mence the blacksmith's or the carpenter's trade, there 

 would be an increase in the size of the muscles of the 

 arm using the hammer or the saw ; should he change his 

 occupation there might be a decrease in the size of the 

 same muscles. In the first instance there would be an 

 excess of growth over waste, and in the second an excess 

 of waste over growth, yet neither would indicate dis- 

 ease. 



When the blood is poor and the circulation sluggish, 

 the little cells and tissues of the body lose their vitality 

 from a lack of nourishment, and it is this condition that 

 opens the door to disease. 



It is estimated that the network of blood vessels 

 which envelop the body, and which lie just beneath 

 the skin, are capable of holding one-half the blood in 

 the system. This is evidence that nature has designed 

 free peripheral circulation. 



In health the average amount eliminated through 

 the skin is about twenty-four ounces in twenty-four 

 hours. This watery exudate contains from two to four 

 per cent of solid matter. Should a part of this be re- 

 tained in the system, it would act as an irritant or poi- 

 son, and produce a low form of inflammation or disease. 

 Should all be retained it would produce death. 



Cold stimulates the nerves supplying the sweat- 

 glands and the peripheral vessels, and they contract. 

 .This locks up the secretions and causes congestion of the 



