常春藤生活英语【133】Got an Itch? 搔到痒处最痛快

Got an Itch? 搔到痒处最痛快

How does it feel to scratch an itch? Could you describe it in words? It turns out that the relief from scratching comes from a special signal that quiets nerve reactions. Scientists have discovered a special kind of nerve in the spinal cord that carries the "relief" and itchy feelings. Now, there is hope for people who can't stop feeling itchy, no matter how hard they scratch.

Many diseases can lead to repeated or constant itching. Therefore, people with them can suffer from serious injuries which are caused by too much scratching.

When something bothers our skin, an itchy sensation is carried to the spinal cord. This sensation makes us want to scratch. Scratching without an itch makes our nerves feel pain. However, when an itch occurs, the scratching causes a good feeling instead of a bad one. Interestingly, the spinal cord alone can deal with these itchy and relief feelings. "It's like there's a little brain in the spinal cord," one doctor said. "We really want to understand that because then we think we'll understand how to relieve the itch." If they can really do that, millions of itchy people can finally relax.

抓痒是一种什么样的感觉？您能用文字将它描述出来吗？原来抓痒所得到的舒缓感是来自于一个特殊信号，它能安抚神经的反应。科学家已经在脊髓里发现负责传递那种『舒缓』和发痒感觉的特殊神经。现在，那些不论多用力抓都无法止痒的人有一线希望了。

许多疾病会导致反复或持续性的发痒。因此罹患这些疾病的人会受到因过度抓痒而造成的严重伤害所苦。

当某物使我们的皮肤不适时，发痒的感觉会被传送到脊髓。这种感觉让我们想要抓痒。不痒的时候去搔抓皮肤会让我们的神经感觉到疼痛。然而在发痒时，搔抓皮肤却会产生舒服的感觉，而非不适。有趣的是，光靠脊髓就可以处理这些发痒和纾缓的感觉。『就像是脊髓里有颗小小的脑一样』，一位医生如此说道。『我们真的很想把它弄清楚，因为我们认为届时我们就能明白该如何止痒了。』如果他们真能办到，数百万发痒难耐的人便终于能放轻松了。

1. According to the article, what have scientists found out?
(A) There is a little brain inside the spinal cord.
(B) An itch can be stopped as long as one scratches hard enough.
(C) The harder one scratches, the itchier one feels.
(D) A special signal that quiets nerve reactions can relieve an itch.

2. Which of the following is NOT true?
(A) Injuries that are caused by too much scratching can be serious.
(B) Scratching with or without an itch causes different reactions.
(C) Scratching itchy skin creates feelings of serious pain.
(D) Some diseases can cause repeated itching.

Building Your Vocabulary  

1. scratch　vt. & vi. 搔，轻抓
Bill tends to scratch his head while thinking.
比尔在思考时常常会抓头。
2. signal　n. 信号
Nick gave me the signal to push the button.
尼克对我下了信号，要我按下按钮。
3. quiet　vt.（使）平静；（使）安静
Is there any way to quiet that crying baby?
有什么方法可以让那个哭泣的宝宝安静下来吗？
4. constant　a. 持续不断的，经常发生的
The constant noise is driving me crazy!
那个持续不断的噪音快把我逼疯了！
5. relieve　vt. 减轻，缓解
This pill can relieve your headache quickly.
这药丸能迅速减缓你的头痛。
6. relax　vi.（使）放松，（使）轻松
Dad often relaxes on the sofa after work.
爸爸下班后常会坐在沙发上放松。 

Phrases for Learning  

1. it turns out + that 子句　　结果是……
It turned out that Steve and I had gone to the same school when we were kids.
结果我和史提夫小时候曾念过同一间学校。
2. deal with...　　处理……
Ted can't deal with this complex situation.
泰德无法处理这个复杂的状况。

Extra Words  

1. itch　n. 痒 & vi. 发痒
itchy　a. 发痒的
2. relief　n. 减轻（本文中亦作形容词用）
3. nerve　n. 神经（本文中亦作形容词用）
4. reaction　n. 反应
5. spinal cord　n. 脊髓
6. sensation　n. 感觉

Tips In Use  

...no matter how hard they scratch.
（……不论多用力抓……）
1. 本句中的"no matter how"同"however"，表『不论∕不管如何』。how 是疑问副词，在其所引导的副词子句中可修饰动词、形容词或副词，且当其修饰形容词或副词时，须将该形容词或副词往前移位，置于 how 之后，使 how 直接修饰该形容词或副词，本句即为此用法。
2. 凡表『不论∕不管……』的副词连接词，可用"no matter + 疑问词"来表示，常见的尚有下列：
no matter what = whatever 不论∕不管什么
no matter where = wherever 不论∕不管何处
no matter when = whenever 不论∕不管何时
no matter who = whoever 不论∕不管谁
No matter where you are, I'll find you.
= Wherever you are, I'll find you.
（不论你身在何处，我都会找到你。） 

中文翻译  

1. 根据本文，科学家发现了什么？
(A) 脊髓里有颗小小的脑。
(B) 一个人只要抓得够用力就可以止痒。
(C) 一个人抓得愈用力就愈觉得痒。
(D) 一个安抚神经反应的特殊信号可以止痒。

2. 下列何者为非？
(A) 过度抓痒所造成的伤害可能会很严重。
(B) 抓发痒的地方和不痒的地方会造成不同反应。
(C) 搔抓发痒的肌肤会产生剧痛的感觉。
(D) 有些疾病会造成反复的发痒。

答案：1. (D)　2. (C) 

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