Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-09
Home Course In
Health Culture
W.-Hysiene of the Skin
and Its Appendices
BY EUGENE L. FISK. n. D.
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.
skin is one of the most I'M
portant organs of the body.
This may seem an extraor-

Ibis may seem an eXtra0r-
binary statement to some who
look upon the skin merely al a pro
tective covering for muscle, bons and
other underlying structures.
1t ii a fact. however, that the skin
is q vital organ and that paralysis OF
Its functions would result In death.
One of the most important functions
OF the skin Is to regulate the body
heat. This 1t foes largely through the
evaporation of water brought to the
surface by the sweat glands. 1t has
been estimated that there are about
2,oo0. 600 Of these glands Ia the skin
OF the average Individual and that
they daily pour out from one to three
pints OK water containing salts and
waste products
In very warm weather this loss 10
quite apparent, but In ordinary wealth
err NE are mot conscious OF It, and It
Is termed insensfb1c perspiration.
when the air contains a great deal
Of moisture and the weather man re-
parts excessive humidity. the evapora-
ton OF moisture fFem the skin 10 re
tarded and great discomfort results.
The reverse condition obtains, OF
course, when the air IL dry.
Understanding the functions Of the
skin. we can readily comprehend what
grave injury to other organs may re-
suit If these functions are suspended.
When the weather becomes suddenly
cold the blood vessels of the skin con-
tract. and a greater burden Is thrown
upon the kidneys, which at once be-
come more active, If they are able to
respond. When the skin Is not In a
healthy condition Its heat regulating
and waste ~excreting functions are
chronicaIiy disturbed. with the result
that other organs must bear the bur-
den. This means that the bodily re-
sistance to disease Is lessened.
Structure of the Skin.
The skin is composed of two layers
the epfdermis, or what Is termed the
sscarf skim" and the derma, Or true
skin" The epfdermis Is composed OF
several layers of epithelial cells, which
act as a protective coating for the
daFfaa. fzr7i1a contains the seba-
ceous or oil glands, the sweat glands,
roots of the hair, blood vessels, fat,
nerves, etc.
The cells Of the epidernlis are on
stantIy drying up and are removed by
bathing and the friction Of the clothes.
10 maintain u healthy action OF the
skin the daily bath Is important. Mil
Hons OF people seem to get alcng fair
" well without bathing. but millions
OF people have died before their time
In consequence Of neglect1ng such hy-
gfenic measures as are now known to
promote good health and resistance to
disease.
A daily cold bath should be taken
by all who can react from the shock
without feeling 'tshiyery'' and chilled.
For the more delicate a daily tepid
bath, with Hight sponging or spraying
Of neck and chest with cool water, will
assist in maintaining a proper tone to
the circulation of the skin and fortify
against colds, bronchitis, pneumonia
and tuberculosis.
Importance of Cleansing Scalp.
A great deal of time and money are
wasted in trying TO make hair grow In
poor soil. 1t Is a eurioas but illuni-
mating fact that it it is quite as diff
cult to destroy superfiuous hair as 1t
Is to induce hair to grow where 1t is
desired. These facts are readily ae-
reunited for when we consider that the
papillae, upon which the growth of
hair depends, are located deeply In the
layers of the true skin, where neither
hair tonhs nor hair destreyers ear
reach them.
At is true of the scalp as of all other
parts of the body that it is easier to
prevent disease than to cure it. Pre-
yention of dandruif, which is the usual
cause Of badness, Is not ordinarily a
difficult matter. Sometimes this con-
dition as well as falling OF the hair is
due to d debiiitated ervoa system.
which must first be treated before 10
cal measures are of much avail. The
average individual, however, can pre-
vent dandruf and resultant badness
By keeping the scalp clean.
ane scalp Is prone TO collecl ulTls
Dust and germs. Dandruff is thought
by some to be due to a germ, but this
Is all the greater reason for frequently
cleansing the scalp.
Shsrapooing and Scalp Massage.
mistaken Idea exists that the hair
injured by frequent washing As a
ale, both scalp and fair are benefited
hereby provided they are carefully
lried- Neglect TO dry the hair leads
D decomposition at the roots and Inn
taarnent of its yigor. In the summer
zane exposure to the sunlight will as
,ist In thorough drying. In the win
Ter tinae bot bowels should be nsed-
as1:sasss soaps are not ol much
ralue. ANY pure soap viii answer |
f~lncture OF green soap is an excellent
preparation. There is no danger Of
sndue loss of oil from the hair. as the
iii glands In the skin quickly replace
what IL washed away. In fact. By
clearing away the dead cells aud
eIee asisag the ofiaees of tbe glands Che
III supply may be Increased In old
saacs Of dandraH the head should be