192 FIRESIDE SCIENCE. 



each day he will perspire moderately, and if he 

 will wear thin under-garments, or none at all, and 

 sleep in a cold room, the functions of the skin will 

 suffer little or no impediment if water is withheld 

 for months. Indeed, bathing is not the only way 

 in which its healthful action can be maintained by 

 those living under the conditions at present exist- 

 ing. Dry friction over the whole surface of the 

 body, once a day, or once in two days, is often of 

 more service than the application of water. The 

 reply of the centenarian to the inquiry, to what 

 habit of life he attributed his good health and ex- 

 treme longevity, that he believed it due to " rub- 

 bing himself all over with a cob every night," is 

 significant of an important truth. 



If invalids and persons of low vitality would use 

 dry friction and Dr. Franklin's " air-bath " every 

 day for a considerable period, we are confident 

 they would often be greatly benefited. Cleanli- 

 ness is next to godliness, no doubt, and a proper 

 and judicious use of water is to be commended ; 

 but human beings are not amphibious. Nature 

 indicates that the functions of the skin should be 

 kept in order mainly by muscular exercise, by ex- 

 citing natural perspiration by labor; and delicious 

 as is the bath, and healthful, under proper regula- 

 tions, it is no substitute for that exercise of the 

 body without which all the functions become ab- 

 normal. 



