On the science of easy chairs, reprinted from "Nature", Oct. 17, 1878 : On posture and its indications, reprinted from "The Lancet", July 2, 1892 / by T. Lauder Brunton, M.D., D.Sc.Edin., LL.D. (Hon) Aberd., F.R.S., &c., assistant-physician and lecturer on materia medica and therapeutics at St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

  • Brunton, T. Lauder (Thomas Lauder), 1844-1916
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the science of easy chairs, reprinted from "Nature", Oct. 17, 1878 : On posture and its indications, reprinted from "The Lancet", July 2, 1892 / by T. Lauder Brunton, M.D., D.Sc.Edin., LL.D. (Hon) Aberd., F.R.S., &c., assistant-physician and lecturer on materia medica and therapeutics at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    besides these we have thicker fascite ensheathing whole limbs. These fasciae act as a pumping apparatus, by which the products of waste may be removed from the muscles which they invest. They consist of two layers, with spaces between. When the muscle is at rest these layers separate and the spaces become filled with fluid derived from the muscle, and when the muscle contracts it presses the two layers of its investing sheath together, and drives out the fluid contained between them. This passes on¬ wards into the lymphatics, where a series of valves prevent its return, and allow it only to move onwards, till at last it is emptied into the general circulation. In strong and healthy people the veins and lymphatics together are quite able to take up all the fluid which the arteries have supplied to the muscles, and thus prevent any accumulation from taking place either in them or in the cellular tissue adjoining them, or at least prevent any such accumulation as might become evident to the eye. In delicate, weakly persons, or in those who suffer from certain diseases of the vascular system, this is not the case ; and after standing or walking for a long time the legs become swollen, so that the boots feel tight, and sometimes even a distinct impression may be remarked at that part of the ankle which was uncovered by the boot. In such persons we can actually see the swelling disappear after the feet have been kept rested for some time on a level with the body, and it may be removed more quickly still by gently and steadily rubbing the limbs in one direction from below upwards. It is almost certain that what we thus see in weakly persons occurs to a slighter extent in all, and that even in the most healthy person after a long walk a slight accumulation of fluid, laden with the products of muscular waste, occurs both in the muscles themselves, and in the cellular tissue around them, even although we cannot detect it by simple inspection. So long as the limbs of such a person hang down, the force of gravity retards the return both of blood through