THE SKIN AND BATHING 263 



473. An easy way of bathing. A cold bath requires nothing 

 more than some water and a towel. A simple wetting of the body with 

 the hands, followed by rubbing with a soft towel, produces all the effects 

 of an elaborate bath tub. Such a bath can be taken in two minutes 

 upon rising and is very invigorating and refreshing. 



474. Turkish baths. A Turkish bath is a combination of hot 

 and cold baths in which the body at first is made to perspire in a hot 

 bath while being rubbed. The body is then suddenly deluged with 

 cold water and rubbed dry. At night the bath is refreshing, but the 

 removal of epithelium and the excessive perspiration make the bather 

 liable to take cold. 



475. Sea bathing. Running water carries off the heat of the 

 body, and thus produces a greater effect than still water. The motion 

 of the waves makes sea bathing exhilarating, and the salt in the water 

 seems to have some stimulating effect. 



476. Bathing in fevers. A cold bath always lowers the ten> 

 perature of a feverish person, and if properly given, greatly adds to his 

 comfort. It also stimulates the skin to greater activity so that it aids 

 the kidneys in their work of excretion. A good way of bathing a 

 feverish person is to uncover only an arm, and wet it with lukewarm 

 water. Then gently rub it with the bare hands until it is dry. The 

 evaporation rapidly produces an agreeable coldness, while the rub- 

 bing keeps up the circulation and prevents taking cold. Then cover 

 it and go over the other arm, and then the legs, and the body in 

 the same way. Finish by washing the face and brushing the teeth. 

 It is proper to give such baths several times a day if the fever is 

 high. 



SUMMARY 



1. The skin consists of a thick network of connective 



tissue, called the derma, covered with several layers 

 of epithelium, called the epidermis. 



2. A hair is formed by the welding together of epithelium 



in a minute tube in the skin. 



3. Sebaceous glands pour an oily substance upon the hair 



roots to soften the skin and hair. 



