THE SKIN. 207 



diseases that prevent the circulation in the skin interrupt 

 the flow of this fluid. In some of the stages of fever, the 

 skin is dry and parched. But, without disease, the perspira- 

 tory action is never stayed, so that, whenever we find the 

 skin dry, we rhay be assured that all is not right in the 

 body. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Skin is an Absorbent. Food and Drink sometimes taken into the 

 Body through the Skin. Medicines. Contagion. Poisons 

 absorbed by the Skin. Absorption more active in the Night than 

 in the Day. 



493. The, skin has other duties to perform, besides that 

 of carrying off the waste of the body ; it is an absorbent as 

 well as an exkalent. In certain conditions, it takes some 

 matters into the body, while it throws others out. But this 

 is not usually done in a period of health ; it is rather when 

 in a state of disease. Nevertheless, absorption is not always 

 indicative of disorder. It may be used to prevent or relieve 

 derangement of the system. It is the most active when the 

 fluids of the system are reduced in quantity, and when 

 nutrition is not well sustained. 



494. Sailors, when destitute of fresh water, wear their 

 clothes wet with sea-water. Then the skin absorbs and car- 

 ries some of this fluid into the body ; and thus their thirst is 

 allayed, and sometimes entirely relieved. Dr. Currie relates 

 a case of a patient, who, from disease of the throat, was 

 unable to swallow any thing, and was therefore in danger 

 of immediate death from starvation. His flesh was rapidly 

 wasting away; he suffered extremely from thirst, and was 

 nearly exhausted. While in this state of suffering, he was 

 placed, night and morning, in a bath of milk and water. 

 After this was begun, his body ceased to waste ; and, while 



