THE INTEGUMENT, OR SKIN. 41 



CHAPTER III. 

 THE INTEGUMENT, OB SKIN. 



The Integument Its Structure The Nails and Hair The Complexion 

 The Sebaceous Glands The Perspiratory Glands Perspiration 

 and its Uses Importance of Bathing Different kinds of Baths 

 Manner of Bathing The Benefits of the Sun Importance of Warm 

 Clothing Poisonous Cosmetics. 



1. The Integument. The skin is the outer covering 

 of the body. The parts directly beneath it are very sensi- 

 tive, and require protection. This is shown whenever by 

 accident the skin is broken, pierced, or torn off, the bared 

 surface being very tender, and painful to the touch. Nature 

 has provided the body with a garment that is soft, pliable, 

 close-fitting, and very thin, and yet sufficiently strong to 

 enable us to come in contact with the objects that sur- 

 round us, without inconvenience or suffering. 



2. The Structure of the Skin. When examined with 

 the aid of the microscope, the skin is found to be made up 

 of two layers the outer and the inner. The inner one is 

 called the cutis, or true skin ; the outer one is the epider- 

 mis, or scarf-skin. The latter is also known as the cuticle. 

 These two layers are closely united, but they may be sepa- 

 rated from each other. This separation takes place when- 

 ever, from a burn, or other cause, a blister is formed; 

 a watery fluid is poured out between the two layers, and 

 lifts the epidermis from the true skin. 



Of the two layers, the cuticle is the thinner in most parts 

 of the body, and has the appearance of a whitish mem- 

 brane. It is tough and elastic, is without feeling, and does 



1 . What is the skin ? Parts directly beneath ? What is shown ? 



2. Microscopic examination ? What is the cutis ? The cuticle ? Their union ? 

 How separated ? What further is said of the cuticle ? 



