Nutrition Aided by Cold Applications
Upon the secretions cold applications have a pronounced effect, as they do upon tissue changes. Applied over the ab¬domen, especially over the upper abdomen and the liver area, they cause a larger quantity of blood to reach the secreting cells and also stimulate those cells to secrete more actively. When gastric digestion is subnormal because of a deficiency of gastric juice, or of hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice, any pronouncedly cold applications over the stomach region will increase the amount of digestive secretions and thereby stimulate the digestion. This influence makes such applica¬tions harmful in cases of hyperacidity or gastric or duodenal
ulcer, because in these cases the acidity already is too great. The various functions of the liver arc augmented by the cold bath or cold applications, especially when accompanied by pressure, as by a douche or towel “spank.”