< I.EAM.IM 109 



waste of the system, the remainder passing off l>y the bowels, kidneys, and 

 lungs. To promote the egress of this thud is of great consequence to 

 health ; for when it is suppressed, disease is apt to fall upon some of the 

 other organs concerned in the discharge of waste. 



One of the most notable checks which perspiration experience i* that 

 produced by a current of cold air upon the skin, in which case the pores 

 instant 1 v e< -n tract and close, and the individual is seixed with some ailment 

 either in one of the other organs of waste, whichever is in him the weak- 

 est, or in the internal lining of some part of the body, all of which is sym- 

 pathetic with the condition of the skin. A result of the nature of that 

 la^t described is usually recognised as a cold or catarrh. We are not at 

 -ent called on particularly to notice such effects of checked perspiration, 

 but others of a less immediately hurtful or dangerous nature. 



The fluid alluded to is composed, besides water, of certain salts and ani- 

 mal matters, which, being solid, do not pass away in vapour, as does tin* 

 cry part of the compound, but rest on the surface whore they have 

 i discharged. There, if not removed by some artificial means, they 

 form a layer of hard stuff, and unavoidably impede the egress of the cur- 

 rent perspiration. By cleanliness is merely meant the taking proper m- 

 to prevent this or any other matter accumulating on the surface, to tin- 

 production of certain hurtful consequences. 



Ablution or washing is the best means of attaining this end; and ac- 

 iingly it is well for us to wash or bathe the body very frequently. 

 Many leave by far the greater part of their bodies unwashed, except, per- 

 haps, Dii rare occasions, thinking it enough if the parts exposed to common 



w be in decent trim. If the object of cleaning were solely to pres 

 fair appearances, this might be sufficient; but the great end, it mu- 

 clearly seen, is to keep the skin in a fit state for its peculiar and very im- 

 portant functions. Frequent change of the clothing next to the skin 



a great aid to cleanliness, and may partly be esteemed as a substi- 

 tute for bathing, seeing that the clothes absorb much of the impurities. 

 i, when chanired, may be said to carry these -if. l>ut Mill this will not 



be -nd nearly M> well as frequent ablution of the whole p.- 

 iy one will ln> convinced of this, who goefl into a bath, and uses the t ! 

 brush in c].-an>in^ his body. The quantity of scurf and impurity which 

 in even a body whic! of linen once a 



day, will surprise him. 



