The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-01-05
Home Course In
Health Culture
Vl.-Hyeiene of the Skin
and Its Appendages
By EUGENE L. FISK, N. D.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
HE skin is one of the most i'm
portant organs of the body

IN II & SKID Is one or the most i'm
portant organs Of the body.
This may seem an eXtraor-
dinary statement to some who
look upon the skin merely as pro
tective covering for muscle bone and
other underlying structures
1t is IL fact. however. that the skin
is 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 it does largely through the
evaporation of water brought to the
surface by the sweat glands 1t has
been estimated that there are about
2,O0O.O0O of these glands in the skin
of the average individual and that
they daily pour out from one to three
pints of water containing salts and
waste products.
In very warm weather this loss Is
quite apparent, but in ordinary wealth
er we are not conscious of it. and it
is termed insensible perspiration.
When the air contains great deal
of moisture and the weather man re
ports excessive humidity. the evapora
tion of moisture from the skin is re,
tarded and great discomfort results
The reverse condition obtains, of
| course, when the air is 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 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 IL
healthy condition its heat regulating
and waste excreting functions are
chronically disturbed. with the result
that other organs must brar the bur
den. This means that the bodily re-
sistance to disease is icssened
Structure Of the Skin.
/ The skin is composed of two layers
the epidermis. or what is termed the
scarf skin." and the dernn or true
! skin" The epidermis is composed of
several layers of epthelial cells. which
act as a protective coating for the
/ derma. The derma contains the seba-
ceous or oil glands. the sweat glands.
roots of the hair. blood vessels. fat.
nerves. etc.
The cells of the epidermis are con
/ or nI
bathing and the friction Of the clothes
! To maintain healthy action Of the
skin the daily bath is important Mil
lions Of people seem to get along fair
| ~ we'll without bathing. but millions
of people have died before their time
in consequence of neglecting such hy-
gienic measures as are now known to
promote good health and resistance to
disease.
i A daily cold bath should be taken
by all who can react from the shock
without feeling ''shivery" and chilled
For the more delicate a daily tep;d
bath. with light 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 curious but illumi-
Mating fact that it it is quite as diff
cult to destroy superfuous hair as II
is to induce hair to grow where It is
desired. These facts are readily ac.
counted 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 tonics nor hair destroyers car
reach them.
| 1t is true Of the scalp as Of all other
parts of the body that it is easier tc
prevent disease than to cure it. Pre-
yention of dandruff, which is the uslla
cause Of badness. is not ordinarily Z
difficult matter. Sometimes this con
dition as we'll as falling of the hair is
due to debilitated nervous system
which must first be treated before 10
cal measures are of much avail. The
average individual. however. can pre-
vent dandruff and resultant badness
Dy keeping the scalp clean
The scalp is prone TO collect dirt
dust and germs. Dandruff is thOugh
by some to be due to Il germ. but thi:
IL all the greater reason for frequentl,
cleansing the scalp.
Shampooins and Scalp Massage.
A mistaken idea exists that the hai
Is injured by frequent washing As
rule. both scalp and hair are benefited
thereby provided they are carefull!
dried Neglect to dry the hair lead
to decomposition at the roots and i'm
pairment of its vigor In the summe
time exposure to the sunlight will as
sist in thorough drying. In the win
ter time hot towels should be used.
Medicated soaps are not Of nucl
value Any pure soap will answer
Tincture of green soap is an excellen
preparation There Is no danger .
nndne loss of oil from The hair. as th
oil glands in the skin quickly replac
what is washed away. In fact. b,
clearing away the dead cells an,
cleansing the orifices of the glands tli
oil supply may be increased In oil
l.,S l~~, 81, l.