174 



THE SKIN AND KIDNEYS 



The skin is an organ of feeling. The 

 papillae put us in touch with our environ- 

 ment by sensing pressure, pain, and tem- 

 perature. 



excretes on an average of a quart of perspiration daily. In cases 

 of kidney trouble, it may relieve the kidneys by secreting more 

 wastes. The skin is an organ of protection. By means of its un- 

 broken outer dead layer of epi- 

 dermis, it protects the underlying 

 living dermis from an excessive 

 loss of water and from the in- 

 vasion of germs and dirt. The 

 skin is an organ of sensation. 

 By means of the papillae in the 

 dermis, it receives sensations of 

 pressure, pain, and temperature. 

 The skin is invaluable in equaliz- 

 ing and maintaining the proper 

 body temperature. If the body is too warm, a greater supply of 

 blood is sent to the skin so that the heat will radiate. If the body 

 is not sufficiently warm, the blood vessels in the skin contract and 

 very little heat radiates out. The evaporation of the perspira- 

 tion on the skin cools the body. 



Hygiene of the skin. When the water of the perspiration evap- 

 orates, organic salts and urea clog the pores. These wastes can best 

 be removed by warm, soapy baths. If left in 

 the pores, the wastes, resulting from perspira- 

 tion, give the body an objectionable odor. A 

 tepid bath should be taken at least twice a 

 week. Cold showers are stimulating to the skin, 

 muscles, and the blood vessels, and, if possible, 

 should be taken daily. Dirt may clog the 

 pores in the skin and cause blackheads. If the 

 skin is kept clean, blackheads will not form. 

 Sometimes bacteria clog the pores, and cause infections, pimples, 

 or possibly boils. Pimples should not be pinched or scratched 

 with the fingers as bruises may result and cause more serious 



Papillae on the tongue 

 contain nerve endings 

 which transmit taste 

 stimuli to the brain. 



