THE SKIN. 203 



ter. This odor is not the same in all persons ; it is said that 

 each one has his own peculiar smell, by which the dog can 

 scent his master at a great distance. 



483. These excretions are intended to be carried, not 

 only out of, but away from, the body. If suffered to remain, 

 they are mixed with the dust in the air, and the particles of 

 th'e scarf-skin that scale off; and they, together, form a thick, 

 crusty matter, which fills the pores and interrupts the trans-" 

 mission of the natural fluids. Then the skin becomes com- 

 paratively stiff and hard, and loses its suppleness and agreeable 

 feeling, and is also more liable to suffer from the effects of 

 cold. The perspiration is usually carried away by mere 

 evaporation. If, therefore, it have sufficient access of air, 

 it will generally be removed. 



484. The air is an important agent in+ the action oj the 

 skin. It. gives it oxygen, and takes from it some carbonic 

 acid. It removes the perspiration and some of its superflu- 

 ous oil. It is necessary, then, that the air should reach the 

 body. For this purpose, the clothing should be loose and 

 porous. Tight clothing, water-proof dresses, oil-cloth, India 

 rubber garments, glazed coats, and even leather clothing, 

 prevent the access of air, and the transpiration of the per- 

 spired fluids ; and, inasmuch as they thus interfere with the 

 functions of the skin, they are unhealthful, and improper to 

 be worn. India rubber shoes retain the perspirationj and 

 the feet that wear them are often wet. It is a common com- 

 plaint that glazed caps worn in summer, however light they 

 may be, make the head ache. This is caused by the close- 

 ness of their texture, which prevents the free passage of the 

 vapor. The cap fits so closely to the head, that no vapor 

 can escape, and its impervious texture offers no avenue 

 through which the perspiration can pass away. 



485. For the same reason, hats made of felt are too close 

 for health and comfort. Ventilated hats are made on true 

 physiological principles, because they allow the cutaneous 

 excretion free passage outward. If a tight felt hat is worn, 

 it is better to be sufficiently large to afford room for much 



