Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-12

feet by stopping up the pores. We have
several kinds of baths, among which are the
sponge, the tub, the hot air and the yapor.
Taking it for granted, as we must, that
bathing promotes a healthy and invigorated
action of the skin, the question arises, How
often is it necessary to bathel This de-
ponds both on the individual and the nature
of the bath. Some people, who perspire
freely. find it necessary to bathe daily;
others require bath only three or four
times a week. Taken unfortunately, the
Turkish and Russian baths are unsafe, and
NAV in certain conditions be positively dam
gerous In cases of heart disease, ten
dency to apoplexy or congestion OF the
brain, Russian or Turkish baths are exceed
ingly unsafe, and as general rule 1t may
be stated that this class Of bath should
never be INDUCED in without the advice Of
a physician The tub bath suits most of
US, but the temperature in every case
should be high enough to prevent chills,
and this remark applies also to sponge
baths, which are the safest, and may, with
advantage, be taken every day.
Another question of importance is that Of
soap. There are several essentials to q
good soap. one of which is that it have suffi-
Gent a. kali and another that it be made Of
the purest fat. If there be an excess of
alkali the effect on the skin must be njuri-
Gus by causing an irritation of the cuticle.
One good soap is the old white CASTLE, and
to this tre transparent English soap is said
by some eminent authorities to rank next.
A general principle may be applied with
advantage in this matter, and that is to
avoid purchasing cheap article. Do not
buy cheap soap, for the chances are you will
get q bad one, while, if on the other hand
you purchase an expensive soap you may
reasonably expect that it will be good.
HrN-Dy w CTE-r
WHAT DIR. JOHN V. SHOEMAKER THINKS.
DR.. John V. Shoemaker, professor of skin
diseases in the Medico- Chirurgical college
and hospital of Philadelphia, whose
ssTreatise on Diseases of the Skim has
long been regarded as a text book of the
highest standard on all pertaining to der
matology, thus expresses his views:
1919 WALNUT STREET
PHILADELPHIA, June g. 1881. I
DEAR DocToR-Ladies DESTROYS of having
good compilations must first be made TO I'M
derstand the functions Of the skin and their
importance, as well as the serious conse-
ouences which follow a neglect of its proper
hygienic care and the serious injury done
to 1t by the use of cosmetics. The functions
of the skin are more numerous and varied
than those of any other organ OF the body.
1t forms a protective covering for the un-
DERIVING structures, prevents the too rapid
escape and evaporation of the water of the
tissues, and assists in maintaining the
temperature of the body at the normal
standard. 1t is of the utmost Importance
as an organ of sensation, excretion and
absorption. It also serves as an accessory
organ of respiration.
One of the most important functions of
the skin is that of maintaining the tempera-
ture of the body at the normal standard. An
increase of ten degrees above or a decrease
of fifteen degrees below that standard is in
compatible with life. The respiratory
function of the skin is analogous to that of
the lungs. Oxygen is absorbed and car
bonic acid is exhaled. The Importance of
the skin as an organ of absorption is now
universally recognized and is utilized for
the administration of medicinal prepare
tions.
The absorbent power of the skin Is one
of the principal factors in making the use
of cosmetics injurious. Many of these
preparations contain deleteriouS substances
which being absorbed by the skin seri-
ouSly affect the system. White lead is
the principal ingredient in large number
of toilet preparations and it is the pres
ence of that metal which causes them to
impIrt to the complexion that peculiarly
white, velvety appearance which many
ladies so ardently covet. 1t is by no means
uncommon TO find ladies suffering from
lead collie, partial paralysis, and other Sc
rious ills induced by the use of cosmetics
containing white leads.
The skin SecreteS sebaceous matter and
the respiration or sweat, and eXcretes car
bouic acid and water, and, probably, certain
other volatile principles which have thus
far escaped observation. The elimination
of carbonic acid by the skin is an essential
part of the respiratory process. If this be
interfered with injury must result If the
pores of the skin be so closed by any foreign
substance as 10 entirely prevent the dis
charge of this function by the skin, death
will result. If an animal be covered with
varnish, impermeable by water or gases, it
Will die in from six TO twelve hours A
small boy eilded from mead to foot to orna-
ment the triumphal procession of Pope Leo
XII. died soon after the application of the
gliding.
The cause of this has not been definitely
ascertained. All that is known is that com
plete suppression of the eXcretory function
of the skin in this manner is followed by
rapid fall of temperature and death. Now,
if closing the pores of the entire body will
produce death, it must be injurious to close
any of them, yet every woman closes many
when she powders or paints her face. The
injury is not sufficient to cause death, but
its continual recurrence will inevitably give
rise to red, rough and sallow skin. tn
woman who wants good complexion mud
let cosmetics entirely alone, and substitute
for them healtEfuI rest, recreation, diet,
bathing, fresh air and exercise.
JOHN Y. SHOEMAKER.
DIR. l.. DUNCAN BULkLEY TALKS. a
DIR. l.. Duncan Buckley, whose appendef'
letter closes this symposium, is professor
of dermatology IN the postgraduate med
ical school and hospital of New York, and
one of the highest of all authorities.
4EAsr THIRTY-S SEVENTH STREET.
NEW YORK, June II. (
My DEAR Smart can seldom improve
on nature, and nothing can paint the lily
and the rose in woman's cheeks like fresh
air and sunshine. a l1iss-when admins
tered to a lady's cheek by the sun and
wind, should be both a common and proper
noun. Yours very truly,
L. DUNCAN BULKLEY.
New IeNey Wines Sent scturOUe.