The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-04-17

The skin Is to be regarded as IN inn
portant organ. richly supplied with
blood vessels and nerves, sweat and oil
forming glands; it encases and covers
all the other organs and tissues, pro-
tects from injury from without, is the
chief regulator of the temperature of
the body in general. and is the remover
of certain waste products.
The blood-vessels vary greatly in
size and the amount of their contents
according to circumstances; GOLD and
fear, for instance, contract the vessels
and the muscular elements of the skin,
rendering it pale; heat, irritants, and
shame, on the other hand, relax tae
skin and its vessels, producing more
or less deep redness.
An increased supply of blood tends
to increase the amount of the perspira-
ton, the evaporation of which keeps
the body in general from becoming
overheated. There is no immediate
danger of sun-stroke as long as the
perspiration is free; and it is truly won
derful how nearly constant the temper
allure of the human blood remains I'M
der the most varying external ciroum-
stances, in absolute repose or during
the severest toll, on the polar sea or at
the equator.
A thermometer placed in the arm-pit
or under the tongue of healthy per-
son registers 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit,
and a variation of ten degrees either
way is almost surely fatal.
In perfect health there is scarcely q
degree of variation in either direction.
The perspiration also serves the pur-
pose of softening and detaching the
older and used-up layers of cells on the
surface, together with particles of dirt,
clothes, etc, which adhere to it. The
oil-forming glands keep the skin soft
and supple; the roots of the hair are
supplied with them, and il some situa-
tons they are found Independently of
hairy growth.
These hints as to the anatomy and
physiology of the skin will serve to in
dictate to you the important functions
which the organ has to perform, and
make it easier for you to understand
how cleanliness and bathing are of
service.
In general terms q bath and the sub
sequent rubbing to dry the skin
primarily increase the blood supply, or
the rapidity of the blood current, or
both together, in the skin; cleanse the
skin from its own and other impurities,
and thus free the little openings of the
sweat and oil glands from distractions
tending to prevent the proper discharge
of their secretions upon the surface the
secondary effect lies in the promotion
of the health of the body as a whole, in
SO far as the proper functional per-
Torrance of a most important organ ex-
erts an influence on that of all the
others.
Spring is at hand, and few words
about bathing may be timely,
A daily bath is even more important
for baby than for a grown person for
obvious reasons; and indeed, the de-
light which babies manifest in o
properly managed bath is good evil
dence as to its usefulness.
Up to three months of age the bath
should have temperature of ninety
degrees, and may be given in a large
basin after that period, or even before,
according to the size of the child, q
larger bath will be needed and the
temperature may be gradually reduced
not more than two degrees at time
until, at six months, it reaches eighty
degrees. 1t may then be reduced
gradually again to seventy-five degrees,
but at these low temperatures the bath
must of course be short.
Always use thermometer, that you
may know exactly what YOU are doing (;
suitable one costs q trltle.
But, above all, observe closely the
effect on the child. II the child is pale,
tired, or blush for some time after
ward, the bath was either too prolonged
or the water was too cold.
For children between the ages of three
and twelve to fifteen it is impossible to
do more than give the most general
directions. Use your observation and
common-sense in each individual case /;
children of the same family differ nearly
as much as those of different families.
Bear only in mind these few principles
which 1 firmly believe to be safe as well
as sound, and which apply to grown
persons as we'll as to children. A daily
washing of the whole body on arising
in the morning with the use of soap on
certain parts, at least, and with cool
fresh water, followed with vigorous rub
bling with not too soft q towel, is o
valuable aid to health.
Let the bath be short and cautiously
make it as cold as is consistent with
thorough reaction, reaction meaning
that the person Is in glow all over
and warmer after than before the bath
was taken.
A basin full of water is sufficient for
bath if tub, for any good reason,
cannot be used. Youths Companion.
Wall Street Yarn.
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