LECTURES AND ESSAYS. 521 



There are about 2,000,000 little sweat glands on the surface of the body, 

 and it is very essential to good health that these be kept open and in a 

 healthy condition. You should have at least one bath a week, but one a 

 clay is a great deal better. 



The poet has so beautifully presented some of these points, and as this 

 poem has not reached the general public, you will indulge me in reading it. 



THE SKIN. 



BY SIR ALFRED POWER. 



There's a skin without and a skin within, 



A covering skin and a lining skin; 



But the skin within is the skin without 



Doubled inwards, and carried completely throughout. 



The palate, the nostrils, the windpipe, and throat 

 Are all of them lined with this inner coat, 

 Which through every part is made to extend— 

 Lungs, liver, and bowels, from end to end. 



The outer skin is a marvelous plan 

 For exuding the dregs of the flesh of man; 

 While the inner extracts from the food and air 

 What is needed the waste in his flesh to repair. 



While it goes well with the outside skin. 

 You may fe j l pretty sure all's right within; 

 For, if anythin? puts the inner skin out 

 Of order, it.troubles the skin without. 



The doctor, you know, examines your tongue 

 To see if your stomach or bowels are wrong; 

 If he feels that vour hand is hot and dry, 

 He is able to tell you the reason why. 



Too much brandy, whisky, or gin, 

 Is apt to disorder the skin within; 

 While, if dirty or dry, the skin without 

 Refuses to let the sweat come out. 



Good people all! have a care of your skin, 

 Both that without and that within ; 

 To the first you should give plenty of soap, 

 To the last little else besides water, we hope. 



But always be very particular where 

 You get your water, your food, and your air; 

 For if these he tainted, or rendered impure, 

 It will have its effect on your blood— be sure! 



The food which will ever for you be the best 

 Is that you like most, and can soonest digest; 

 All unripe fruit and decaying flesh 

 Beware of, and fish that is not very fresh. 



Your water, transparent and pure as you think it, 

 Had better he filtered and boiled ere you drink it, 

 Unless you know surely that nothing unsound 

 -Can have got to it over or under the ground. 



