The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1922-06-10
CARE OF Hi SKIN
BY l.. DUNCAN BULkLEY, A.. NJ, M. D.

THE skin is the largest and one of the most Important excreting riga of
! the body. While it serves admirably as a covering of the frame, and
gives symmetry and beauty and protection to the tissues beneath, it is con-
tnualy performing a great service in regulating the body temperature, and
with the Kidneys and lungs serves to remove watera and excretory substances
from the system.
The total number of the sweat glands has been estimated at over 100000
with a total length, when uncoaed of about pig miles. The average person
persplaton Is necessary Is proved by the fact that when animals nave been
covered with yarnish death takes place. The story is told o a child covered
with gold leaf ito represent al ange at the coronation of Pope Leo Y, who
invites serious disease.
The skin is composed of TWO layers, the coriur, derma or true skin, which
makes thu Gather of commerce, and the epidermis, or outer scaly layer
which is continually shed and replaced from below. The derma contains the
sweat n oil glands, also blood vessels and nerves, which latter give the
sense OF touch lit epmefmls protects The soft tissues below, and when
whole prevents injury from pus organisms n poisons. In vaccination this
epidermis is scratched to allow the virus o be absorbed.
The hair n nans are similar epdernal structures which grow from
their roots rs they ire ut n pulled out. In health the hairs are 80 firmly
attached that the scalp has been torn off accidentally by them, but tin disease
they may fall by a touch. On the face they cannot be destroyed by the
advertised depilatores, but may be made % a by eectrlysis, destroying
the deepseated hair papIla, q. the hands of a skiIful operator.
The hygiene of the skin is important, but harm "a often be done by
injudicious manipulation. The Turkish and Russian baths act like a catharuc
the skin, but their value in purifying the system is greatly overesHmated
by the public They are being advised less and less by educated and thinking
physicians.
Ordinary bathing is also very frequently overdone. Proper cleanliness is
certainly desirable, but those who have been in the extrerne argic regions
report that for seven months they have not taken "A bath, or hardly removed
their clothing, and yet have been in perfect health. Baths cannot cure skin
diseases, and ofen aggravate them greatly. The cold bath suits son neonle
and, in health, IL there is a good reaction with friction, seems to act as a
tonic but there are many who believe that they aus congestion of internal
organs and are ot really desirable
Nor is it thought that warm baths should be taken to frequently. M
except under certain conditions the daily hot bath tends to weaken rather
than strengthen the system. The odfashoned weekly bath served our FORE
fathers well.
Soaps are not curative of skin diseases, and otter their excessive and
injudidous use does harm. Medicated soaps re a delusion.
Cosmetics, as a rule, do not do the harm commonly charged. Actors
continually ue hem and do nt seem to be injured is they seldom apply
for treatment
Clothing is an important item in connection with the hygiene of the skin
Experience seems to show that wool nex to the healthy skin allows of
its best action, although with many sol IF the modern mesh garments seen
to serve very well. 1t is questionable if silk is the best substance for under
clothes. Care should be taken, both as to the weight and quality of under and
outer garments. with change of seasons and weather, to prevent chilling and
checking of "nsenstle perspitation' in order to keep in perfect health.
Undoubtedly very much disease of the kidneys and other organs is
melted by arelessness along these lines.