Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-26

any number OF deleterious substances
1t Is astounding to learn that about
fifty ounces of fluid are expelled from
the body every twenty-four hours and
converted into gas. 1nasmuch as this
fluid is made up of the waste matter
of the body 1t is composed largely oil
poisonous substances that should moi
be allowed either to fill up the open
pores or to be reabsorbed by them
which is very apt to happen. Those
pores must be. left open. if,they are to
do their necessary work.
The skin is more active in carrying
on the processes of life than most OF
us realize. Otherwise we could not
neglect 1t as we do. 1t not only car
ries away a large percentage of the
waste products of the body, furnish
ing invaluable relief to the burden
placed upon the kidneys, but helps the
lungs as well. 1t actually breathes In
oxygen and exhales carbohic acid gas
In addition to this service 1t regulates
the heat of the body, protecting 1t
from the Ill effects of intense heat and
cold. The person who notices draughts
and catches cold easily from them will
do well to stimulate the action of the
pores of her skin by baths and fric-
tion. It's normal activity cannot be
normal IL the pores are not kept open.
If she can obtain the proper reaction
after a cold bath she will find that the
best possible preventive. If she can
not at first obtain a reaction she may
find 1t worth while to adapt herself to
it by degrees, beginning with mod
erately cool plunge after a tepid bath
and making 1t colder each. morning.
1t Is wise to rub oneself thoroughly
with rough towel not only after the
plunge, but before it, so that the cir
culation will be active before the
shock, and better prepared to respond
to the sudden call made upon 1t. A
salt rundown after a scrub with hot
water and soap will stimulate the
pores so that the reaction after the
cold shower or plunge following will
be more ready.
When one is troubled with a prickly
sensation after a cold bath, the irrita-
tion may be relieved by bathing with
a solution of bicarbonate of soda and
water.
The soothing qualities of hot baths
are so fully appreciated that they fire.
quently constitute the essential part
of the cure of nervous diseases. BY
them the blood is drawn from the
brain and other organs where it may
be congested. Moreover. the innumer-
able small nerves scattered throughout
the inner skin are inexpressibly re-
laxed and comforted by the hot water.
Many a sleepless night may be avoided
If the hot bath Is taken just before
going to bed. A warm sponge bath
will frequently soothe one who is i'll,
so that she can sink gently off to
sleep.
If one cannot indulge in the luxury
of a Turkish bath frequently, one or
two experiences there will prove the
effectiveness of a somewhat vigorous
handling of the skin. We cannot ex-
pose our skins at home to the extreme
heat of the hot room or to the steam
of the Russian bath, but we can linger
for a long time In hot water bath and
get similar results if, when the pores
are thoroughly open, we follow 1t with
the same vigorous scrubbing with a
brush and soap. The bristles of the
brush should be quite stiff. the soap
lather plentiful, and the rubbing hard.
After that a rub down with salt and a
cold spray or plunge at the end will
leave the skin feeling deliciously soft
and alive.
The scrubbing with soap, warm wa
ter and a brush should be daily oc-
currence. Each person must decide
upon the soap that best suits her skin.
Almond meal and bran are frequently
substituted for soap, as being just as
cleansing and not containing any al
kali They soften the water but will
be found too drying for some skins.
1t is wiser to make cheesecloth bags
for them rather than to put them into
the water uncovered, as they stick to
the side of the tub in a most disagree
able way Some times soap is mixed
with the bran or almond meal In the
bags. There are some delicious toilet
waters to make the water fragrant and
soft, milk of benzoin among them
Harper's Bazaar,