THE SKIN AND THE APPENDAGES 201 



skin deep ; others find a short cut by applying a layer of beauty 

 on the outside of the natural skin, in the form of paints and pow- 

 ders ; but we ought to know that there is no way of feeding the 

 skin except through the blood vessels. There is no way of re- 

 moving pimples or blotches except through the blood vessels, 

 and there is no satisfactory way of getting red cheeks except by 

 way of the blood. All this is of course quite apart from the 

 question of what kinds of complexions we prefer, either in our- 

 selves or in others ; that is a matter of taste. 



Another aspect of appearance depends upon mental states. 

 Drooping corners of the mouth might be concealed by an artistic 

 make-up, but in time our habitual moods impress themselves 

 upon our faces so that they cannot be concealed. On the other 

 hand, it is asking too much of most people to demand cheerful- 

 ness and joyousness and good nature when they are suffering 

 from deficient organs, from bad health habits, or from worry 

 about their personal affairs. The remedy in such cases, how- 

 ever, cannot be applied to the skin. 



Nevertheless, both appearance and health require that some 

 attention be given to those parts that we show the world. 



167. Care of the skin. The evaporation of the water in the 

 sweat leaves behind salts and organic substances. Dust clings 

 to the oil on the skin and gets into the pores. The organic 

 wastes often have a disagreeable odor. Some people think they 

 can remedy the disagreeable odor by the use of perfumes, but 

 perfumes neither remove dirt nor deceive anybody as to the 

 real need. On the contrary, we are likely to be suspicious of the 

 person who always smells like a barber shop. If we could ex- 

 pose our skins to the air a great deal and rub ourselves off 

 briskly with a coarse towel at intervals, most of us could no 

 doubt get along very well without bathing ; but the condi- 

 tions under which civilized people live make bathing necessary. 



A warm bath, with soap, once or twice a week, should be 

 enough for ordinary cleanliness if there is a daily cold bath, 

 A daily cold bath is refreshing and at the same time an excellent 

 training for the skin in adjusting itself to changes in tempera- 



