THE SKIN AND BATHING 26 1 



stop its growth. When hair is shaved off, it soon regains its former 

 length and then ceases to grow. Shaving seems to have some effect 

 in causing the hair to grow coarser, but it does not add to the number 

 of separate hairs. 



468. The beard. At about the age of sixteen the hair upon a 

 boy's face begins to grow larger and coarser, and if let alone becomes 

 a full beard in the course of two or three years. . A shaved beard is not 

 so silky as one that has never been cut. 



A beard gives to a young man an appearance of age and experience 

 and is popularly taken for a sign of mental and physical strength. As 

 a matter of fact the presence or absence of a beard has nothing to do 

 with a person's experience or knowledge. 



469. Care Of the nails. Biting the nails makes their edges 

 ragged, besides making the ends of the fingers sore. The nails them- 

 selves are not poisonous, but underneath their projecting ends germs 

 of disease may be mixed with the dirt which gathers there. Naturally 

 the nail adheres to the finger nearly down to its end, but is often kept 

 raised and sore by too persistent cleaning. The edge of the semicircle 

 of flesh surrounding the root of the nail is naturally soft and slightly 

 raised so that it looks like a fine silken braid. Sometimes it becomes 

 hard and cracks, especially upon cold, dry days. Cutting away the 

 hard edge down to its soft margin in the flesh prevents the extension 

 of the cracks. A tiny sliver of the edge of flesh around the nail torn 

 back into the flesh forms a hangnail. The hangnail should be cut off 

 close to the flesh. It is best prevented by gently pushing the skin 

 back from the nail. Tight shoes bind the toes together, curving the 

 great toe nail into the flesh, causing an ingrowing toe nail. Broad 

 shoes are the best preventive of the trouble. 



470. Bathing. A noticeable odor of perspiration about 

 any part of the body is a sign of uncleanliness, and is the 

 best indication of the need of a bath. Even in cold weather 

 a bath is needed at least once a week, while in the summer 

 it may be necessary to bathe daily. Soap and hot water 

 soften the epithelium, and if the skin is then rubbed vigor- 

 ously, a large amount may be rolled into small balls, which 

 are often supposed to be dirt. When much epithelium is 

 removed in this way, the body is more sensitive to the cold, 



