Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-10-25
OFFICES OF THE SKIN.

EsCAT IN PACE
e OFFICES OF THE SKIN.
As an encient to cleanliness and 10 exercise
to the seden,ary ana sludlous-as precaulion
agains sudden changes Of temperature, close
heated rooms and thin clothing--and with a
general view Of preserving health, we give the
following from Conbe on health
(" Besides performing the mechanical office
Of shield to the parts beneath, the skin is adj
mirably fitted, by the great supply of blood
which it receives, for its use as secreting
and excreting organ. The whole animal sys.
tenn is in state Of constant decay and renova-
ton and while the stomach and alimentary
canal take in new materials, the skin forms
one Of the principal outlets or channels by
which the old, altered, or ueeless particles are
eliminated from the body. Every one knows
that the skin perspres, and that checked per-
spiration is powerful cause of disease and of
death but few have any just notions Of the
real extent and influence of this exhalation
such as we shall exhibit it. When the body
is over-heated by exercise in warm weather, a
copious sweat breaks out, which. by carrying
Of the superfuous heat, produces an agreeable
feeling of GOODNESS and refreslment. This is
the higher and more obvious degree Of the
function Of exhala,ion but, in the ordinary
state the skin is constantly giving out large
quantity of waste materials by what is called
insensible perspiration. process which is Of
great importance to the preservation Of health,
and which is called insensible, because the
exhalation, being in the form Of vapor, and
carried off the surrounding air, is invisible to
the eve; but its presence may often be made
manifest even to sight by the near approach Of
dry cool mirror on the surface of which 1t
will soon be condensed SO as to become visl.
BILE.
The largest quantity Of insensible perspira-
ton from the lungs and skin together amour.
ted to thirty-two grains per minute; three
ounces and quarter per hour, or i've pounds
per day. Of this the cutaneous constituted
two.thirds, or sixty ounces in twenty-four
hours. The smallest quantity observed amoun-
ted 10 eleven grains per minute, or one pound
eleven and d half ounces in twonty-f0ur hours,
of which the skin furnishes about twenty oun-
ces. The medium or average amount was
eighteen grains minute. of which eleven
were from the skin, making in twenty-four
hours about thirty three ouaces. When the
extent of surface which the skin presents is
considered, these results do not seem extrav-
agant. But even admitting that there may be
some unperceived source Of fallacy in the ex-
periments, and that the quantity is not so
great as here stated, still, after making every
allowance, enough remains to demonstrate
that exhalation is a very important function OF
the skin. And although the precise amount
Of Precipitation may be disputed, still the ma
iority of observers agree that the cutaneous
exhalation is more abundant than the united
excretions of both bowels and kidneys; and
that, according as the weather becomes warm
CT or colder, the skin and kidneys alternate in
the proportions of work which they severally
perform; most passing off by the skin in warm
weather, and by the kidneys in cold, and VICE
VERSA. The quantity exhaled increases after
meals, during sleep, in dry warm weather.
and by friction or whatever stimulates the skin,
and diminishes when digestion is impaired,
and in moist atmosphere.
What we have considered relates only to
the insensible perspiration. That which is
the consequence of superabundance of
heat or severe exercise is evolved IN much
greater quantity; and by accumulation at the
surface, it becomes visible end forms sweat.
In this way, robust man may loose two OF
three pounds weight in the course of one
hours severe exertion !; and if this be sudden.
" checked, the consequences at certain states
Of the system are often of the most serious de-
scription. When the surface of the body is
chillad nv cold, the blood-vessels Of the skin
become contracted in their diameter, and hin.
der the free enterance of the red particles oil
the blood, which are therefore Of necessity
| COLLECTED and retained in greater quantity in
the internal organs, where the heat varies We
nv little. The skin consequently becomes
pale, and its papile contract, forming by
their erection what is called the goose's skin.
In this state it becomes less fit for its uses /;
the sense Of touch can no longer nicely dis
criminate the qualities of bodies, and cut OF
| bruise received with comparative little pain.
From the oppression of too much blood, the
internal organs, on the other hand, work heav-
iIy: the mental faculties are weakened, slee-
piness is induced, respiration Is oppressed,
the circulation languishes, and digestion ceas-
es and il the cold be very intense, the vital
functions are n last extinguished without pain,
and without struggle. This is picture Of
The extremes but the same causes which in
an aggravated form occasion death, produce
when applied in minor degree. effects equal
ly certain, although not equally marked OF
speedy in their appearance.
Every thing tends 10 show that persp'ra'lon
is direct product Of vital process ana mol
a mere exhibition Of watery particles tnrough
the pores Of the skin.
Taking even the lowest estimate Of Lavoiser,
we find The skin endowed with the important
charge Of removing from the skin about TWEEN.
~ ounces of waste matter every twenty-foui
hours and when we consider that the quaint.
~ not only is great but is sent forth in so di-
vided state as to be invisible TO the eye, and
that the whole Of itls given out by the very
minute rami6cations Of the blood-vsssels Of
tho skis, We perceive q once why these are
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