The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-11-06
THE KENOSHA TELEGRAPH
KENosHA, WIS.,, NOV 9th, 1873.
THE SKIN.

standpoint, we should say, perhaps,
that the brain is the most important
part of us but that would be a mis-
take not only the brain, but the
stomach and XII lneys are less nee
essary to life than our skin. Reflect
upon this matter for a moment; you
can go without food for several days,
and not suffer serious injury your
Ii 1s may cease to act for week,
ana you can attend to your business
as usual the brain can be paralyzed
for months, and life goes on: but if
the functions of the skin are sus-
pended for two hours, death follows.
Take dog or cat, and dip the
animal into melted parfine or tallow,
so that the skin excretions and secre-
tions are suspended, and the animal
will die almost as quickly as if ten
grains of strychnine had been al
ministered, The skin Is most i'm
portant auxiliary to The lungs in the
process of aeration of the blood,
aud so intimate is the connection,
or so similar and important are its
functions, that when death ensues
from skin distractions, all the con-
ditions resemble those occasioned by
cutting off air from the lungs. More
deaths from consumption are caused
rimarily by skin obstructlons, than
from any original weakness or dis
ease In the lungs. The lungs are
the first of the important organs to
be Influenced by arrangements Of
the skin, and they often become con.
gested or disorganized through sec
Ondary causes.
One is we'll to-day all the high
functions of animal life go on har-
moniously, the machinery works
without a jar. A ride is taken in
the cold air with insufficient cloth
ing, or a sudden storm occurs and
the body is drenched with RAIN
a chill follows, the head aches, diges-
ton ceases, animal warmth is in
creased to a high point an alarming
change has occurred. What occa-
sions this sudden illness is it due
to the lungs, the stomach, the liver
or the brain? All of these organs
suffer, but it is not due to derange'
ments in any one, or all of them.
The skin has ceased to perform It's
functions, the perspiratory process
has been arrested, the millions Of
little orifces through which the
vast products Of the body find an
outlet have collapsed, the open doors
have closed.
The. skin is like that little valve in
the steam-engine, which controls the
supply OF steam. The wheels ard
levers and shafts move tremendously
and swiftly when it is open, but
close it, and suddenly the hum of
motion ceases, every part Of the ma
chinery comes to rest, and II the
valve obstruction continues, there is
a final end to its usefulness. So If
the pores Of the skin are not prompt
Iy opened whea suddenly closed from
any cause, death must ensue.
1t is with man, as respects the
skin, "a it is with, many animals
which have organs that are intended /!
for protection. and placed under tn
control Of instinct. The skin is the
only organ Of the body which IS per
fectIy under our control--not indeed
the control ofinstinct, but OF reason.
The liver, lungs, stomach, ears, ETC.,
may become diseased from circum-
stances beyond our control, or in
other words, they are organs SO stu
ated that we cannot have them in
special charge as. we do the sNin, and
prevent disease by proper care and