Luis國際資訊事務所

How does it feel to scratch an itch1? Could you describe it in words? It turns out that the relief2 from scratching comes from a special signal that quiets nerve3 reactions4. Scientists have discovered a special kind of nerve in the spinal cord5 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 sensation6 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.

抓癢是一種什麼樣的感覺？您能用文字將它描述出來嗎？原來抓癢所得到的舒緩感是來自於一個特殊信號，它能安撫神經的反應。科學家已經在脊髓裡發現負責傳遞那種『舒緩』和發癢感覺的特殊神經。現在，那些不論多用力抓都無法止癢的人有一線希望了。

許多疾病會導致反覆或持續性的發癢。因此罹患這些疾病的人會受到因過度抓癢而造成的嚴重傷害所苦。

當某物使我們的皮膚不適時，發癢的感覺會被傳送到脊髓。這種感覺讓我們想要抓癢。不癢的時候去搔抓皮膚會讓我們的神經感覺到疼痛。然而在發癢時，搔抓皮膚 卻會產生舒服的感覺，而非不適。有趣的是，光靠脊髓就可以處理這些發癢和紓緩的感覺。『就像是脊髓裡有顆小小的腦一樣』，一位醫生如此說道。『我們真的很 想把它弄清楚，因為我們認為屆時我們就能明白該如何止癢了。』如果他們真能辦到，數百萬發癢難耐的人便終於能放輕鬆了。

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.

1. scratch　vt. & vi. 搔，輕抓
Bill tends to scratch his head while thinking.
比爾在思考時常常會抓頭。
2. signal　n. 信號
Nick gave me the signal to push the button.
尼克對我下了信號，要我按下按鈕。
3. quiet　vt.（使）平靜；（使）安靜
Is there any way to quiet that crying baby?
有什麼方法可以讓那個哭泣的寶寶安靜下來嗎？
4. constant　a. 持續不斷的，經常發生的
The constant noise is driving me crazy!
那個持續不斷的噪音快把我逼瘋了！
5. relieve　vt. 減輕，緩解
This pill can relieve your headache quickly.
這藥丸能迅速減緩你的頭痛。
6. relax　vi.（使）放鬆，（使）輕鬆
Dad often relaxes on the sofa after work.
爸爸下班後常會坐在沙發上放鬆。

1. it turns out + that 子句　　結果是……
It turned out that Steve and I had gone to the same school when we were kids.
結果我和史提夫小時候曾唸過同一間學校。
2. deal with...　　處理……
Ted can't deal with this complex situation.
泰德無法處理這個複雜的狀況。

1. itch　n. 癢 & vi. 發癢
itchy　a. 發癢的
2. relief　n. 減輕（本文中亦作形容詞用）
3. nerve　n. 神經（本文中亦作形容詞用）
4. reaction　n. 反應
5. spinal cord　n. 脊髓
6. sensation　n. 感覺

...no matter how hard they scratch.
（……不論多用力抓……）
1. 本句中的"no matter how"同"however"，表『不論∕不管如何』。how 是疑問副詞，在其所引導的副詞子句中可修飾動詞、形容詞或副詞，且當其修飾形容詞或副詞時，須將該形容詞或副詞往前移位，置於 how 之後，使 how 直接修飾該形容詞或副詞，本句即為此用法。
2. 凡表『不論∕不管……』的副詞連接詞，可用"no matter + 疑問詞"來表示，常見的尚有下列：
no matter what = whatever不論∕不管什麼
no matter where = wherever不論∕不管何處
no matter when = whenever不論∕不管何時
no matter who = whoever不論∕不管誰
No matter where you are, I'll find you.
= Wherever you are, I'll find you.
（不論你身在何處，我都會找到你。）

1. 根據本文，科學家發現了什麼？
(A) 脊髓裡有顆小小的腦。
(B) 一個人只要抓得夠用力就可以止癢。
(C) 一個人抓得愈用力就愈覺得癢。
(D) 一個安撫神經反應的特殊信號可以止癢。

2. 下列何者為非？
(A) 過度抓癢所造成的傷害可能會很嚴重。
(B) 抓發癢的地方和不癢的地方會造成不同反應。
(C) 搔抓發癢的肌膚會產生劇痛的感覺。
(D) 有些疾病會造成反覆的發癢。

答案：1. (D)　2. (C)