266 THE HUMAN SKIN. 



The 4th function I will not say more about, and the tempting 

 subject of the 5th function — namely, the Special Sense of Touch — 

 I dare not begin. Suffice it to say that this sense is far more 

 acute in some parts of the body than others. Thus, if you take 

 two blunt needles, and try how near together at various parts of 

 the body you can feel them as distinct points, you will find that at 

 the tip of the tongue and on the finger-ends sensation is most 

 acute, and so on. 



And now the last function — that of Absorption. Its extent is 

 exceedingly limited. The great value of ointments is in their 

 local action, and probably their absorption into the vascular system 

 is very slight. When people talk of rubbing a weakly child with 

 cod-liver oil to fatten it, I ahvays advise them to let the child drink 

 the cod-liver oil, and rub it with a good rough towel every morning 

 after its bath, for, as far as regards the absorption of cod-liver oil 

 by the skin, they might as well rub it into the child's macintosh. 

 It is the friction of the skin that is wanted. 



In amphibia — frogs, etc. — the skin acts as a respiratory organ, 

 important as the lungs ; but in man this function is at the most 

 exceedingly slight, if present at all. 



One or two words I w^ould say in conclusion : — 



First, the great value of baths, followed by friction of the 

 surface. And under this head I would particularly mention the 

 Turkish bath as a most valuable combination of every hygienic 

 method for the skin. If is much too little used by the public. 

 This is a pity, as it is especially refreshing and invigorating to 

 those whose daily life in a city like ours is often of a sedentary 

 character, in whom the lack of active daily exercise prevents a 

 proper action of the skin. Many so-called bilious attacks are, I 

 am convinced, merely due to defective elimination of waste pro- 

 ducts, and may be averted by a Turkish bath, which is cheaper 

 and far more pleasant than going to a doctor. Try it for your- 

 selves, and when you do, remember to stay there at least three 

 hours, taking at least one and a-half hours in the cooling-room, 

 lying quietly before going out into the open air, as you will thereby 

 avoid the least danger of catching a chill. 



Secondly, as to the morning cold bath, the Englishman's pride, 

 it is an excellent thing f^r those who can get warm again imme- 



