The Causes of Blushing.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 158, 2 June 1884, Page 2

The Causes of Blushing.

The physiology ot blushi'ag has long presented a difficult problem ' to 1 solve. Many unsatisfactory explanations have been given of the canses of that interesting phenomenon. The British Medical Journal lately received an inquiry as to the measures to be taken for the cure of a chronic to" blush, and one-of its correspondents takes up the matter m a very pratical way. Among other causes ot blushing, he gives promin-, ence uto the wearing of too thick .underclothing, and especially of too thick socks." He adds that , longsleeved woollen socks or jerseys are often a cause of blushing, and, m fact, warm clothing m general. He does, not fail to remark {that the blusher must choose m this matter , between the risk of rheumatism and the annoyance of hlushing. As collateral evidence m support of his ' views, he says : " An aunt of mine had habitually a red nose from this cause alone, which disappeared when : she took to thinner stockings." Regarding the , matter from a social standpoint, the writer says : " The best plan for ah habitual blusher is to laugh and be very gushing, as, for instance, on meeting an acquaintance m the street, when he colours up; and he will then feel more at his ease than if he looks sheepish and reserved." An obvious cause of blushing is over-sensitiveness and self-con-sciousness, which will wear away as the person becomes used to society and strengthens his character by adopting wise principles of thought and action. The physiological explanation of blushing given by the writer just quoted is that it is due to paraliiYpis of the sympathetic circles of nerves surrounding the arteries, which, not contracting properly, allow a fresh now of blood to the surface.