The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-01
SOMETHING ENTERS THROUGH
 UNBROKEN SKIN

UNBROKEN SKIN
 Notwithstanding much propagan- da supported by the unconf1rmed experiments of subsidized investi- gators, I still believe the human skin is impermeable to all medi- cines, foods, chemicals, poisons, secretions, vitaminS or hormones. I believe the skin never absorbs anything unless it. is first scratched, punctured, cut, burned, blistered, abraded or cracked. I'm from Mis- souri, and my skin is still avail- able to any resoonsible or repu- table physician or other scientific individual who believes anything can be absorbed through unbroken skin-the experiment to be con- ducted on properly controlled con- ditions and both sides agreeing in advance to publish the result and to abide thereafter by the result so far as this controversy is con- cerned. If I'm wrong the world ought to know it; if the other side is wrong the world has right to know it.
 What is it, then, that penetrates the unbroken skin to convert sterol Ca fat-like substance) into viosterol, vitamin D, in the tissue under the skin, when the naked skin is ex- posed to sunlight? Or to ultra violet light from lamp? It is ul- traviolet Cnvisible) light of short wave length, the rays that account for sunburn and tan, and for the chemical change produced by light on photographic film or plate. That sunshine or just skyshine when there is no direct sunshine is ab- sorbed through the skin to that ex- tent we know, because exposure of the naked skin to sunshine or sky shine prevents and cures rickets even if the patient receives no vit- amin D in food or medicine.
 Conditions which rob infants, chil- dren youths and grown-up people of the benefits of the ultra -viclet are fog, smoke and dust in the air, clouds, superf1uous clothing, the bad habit of remaining indoors or under roof most of the time, occupations which confine to factory, story, office building, mine or other sunless place in the middle of the day when the ultraviolet is available.
 The sunlight of mountain regions and at the seashore or at sea is richest in ultraviolet. Vertical or nearly vertical sun rays are richer in ultraviolet than oblique rays, and hence midsummer sunshine is richer than mid-winter, the mid- day hours (say from II a. m. to p. m) offer the most ultraviolet, and tropical or subtroopical latitude offers more than temperate or north temperate.
 Prevention or cure of Tickets, al- ready mentioned, is only one of the numerous effects of ultraviolet ex- posture, sun bathing, nudity. This is not the place to attempt to describe specific advantages of exposure to sunshine or Skyshine, as much ex- posture as one can stand without sunburn. AS an indication, however, vitamin D is essential for the utili- zation and retention of calcium and phosphorus, and these elements are important in growth, development of sound teeth, strong steady nerves '' prevention of sick headache, asthma, hay fever, allergic conditions, sinus troubles, tuberculosis.
 From the most delicate infant to the most aged invalid nudity or the nearest approach to nudity con- sistent with actual physical (not mentaD comfort is as desirable at all times as is fresh air, wholesome food and pure water, for good health. l Shots
 My dauphter fifteen receives