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DENTAL MEDICINE. —
70
Posture also affects the pulse. It is most frequent in the
standing, and least in the recumbent position.
The pulse of a man is twice as much affected by change of
position as that of a woman.
When the pulse is much increased in frequency, change in
position has but little effect, and for the higher numbers entirely
disappears. When the head is lower than the body, the pulse
falls. The general law as to the degree of frequency of the
pulse, as affected by position, is as follows :
The frequency is directly proportionate to the amount of
muscular effort required to support the body in different positions.
The pulse falls in sleep, as much as ten beats. Sleeplessness in-
creases its frequency. On awakening from sleep, there is usually
a decided increase in frequency. Food increases the rate of the
pulse. Mental excitement and activity of the emotions increases
the frequency ; mental depression is often accompanied by a de-
crease. Cold lowers and heat raises the rate of the pulse.
Among other causes producing an increase in the frequency of
the pulse in health, are spirituous and warm drinks, tobacco,
diminished atmospheric pressure. Among other causes producing
diminished frequency of the pulse, besides those before mentioned,
are fatigue, long-continued rest, debility without disease, and in-
creased atmospheric pressure.
Occasionally the pulse is irregular in health, but when it is so,
it is usually congenital. Intermittency is not infrequent in
health, and it is then either congenital or may be due to terror,
anxiety, grief, mental or physical fatigue, and old age. The in-
termittency may be only temporary, or it may become per-
manent ; and if it becomes very frequent, may be pathological.
A pulse of 90 or more may be regarded as a pulse of abnormal
frequency in an adult. There are exceptions to this, but they
are rare. If the pulse is quicker than the temperature will ex-
plain, it indicates cardiac weakness.
A pulse that day by day progressively increases, the tempera-
ture remaining the same, shows increased cardiac weakness. In
all febrile diseases, a pulse, in adults, over 120 is serious, and in-
dicates cardiac weakness. A pulse of 130 or 140 indicates great