Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1883 — The Cause of Blushing. [ARTICLE]

The Cause of Blushing.

The physiology of blushing has long presented a difficult problem to solve. Many unsatisfactory explanations have been .given of the causes 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 tendency to blush, and one of its correspondents takes up the matter in a very practical way. Among other causes of blushing he gives prominence “to the wearing of too thick underclothing, and especially of too thick sacks.” He adds that longsleeved woolen sacks or jerseys are often a cause of blushing, and, in fact, warm clothing in general. He does not fail to remark that the blusher must choose in this matter between the i isk of rheumatism and th e annoyance of blushing. As collateral evidence in 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 an habitual blusner is to laugh and be very gushing, as, for instance, on meeting an acquaintance in the street, when he colors up; and he will then feel more at his ease than if he looks sheepish and reserved. ” An obvious cause for blushing q over-sensitiveness and self-conscious ness, which will wear away as the per son 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 paralysis of the. sympathetic circles of nerves surrounding the arteries, which, not contracting properly, allow a freer flow of blood to i the surface.