THE INTEGUMENT, OR SKIN. 47 



"taking cold/' When the perspiration is completely 

 checked, the consequences are very serious. Experiments 

 have been performed upon certain smaller animals, as rab- 

 bits, to ascertain the results of closing the perspiratory 

 tubes. When they are covered by a coating of varnish 

 impervious to water and gases, death ensues in from six to 

 twelve hours ; the attendant symptoms resembling those 

 of suffocation. 



19. It is related that, at the coronation of one of the 

 Popes about three hundred years ago, a little boy was 

 chosen to act the part of an angel ; and in order that his 

 appearance might be as gorgeous as possible, he was cov- 

 ered from head to foot with a coating of gold foil. He was 

 soon taken sick, and although every known means were 

 employed for his recovery, except the removal of his fata! 

 golden covering, he died in a few hours. 



20. The Importance of Bathing. From these con- 

 siderations, it is evident that health must greatly depend 

 upon the free action of the skin. " He who keeps the skin 

 ruddy and soft, shuts many gates against disease." When 

 the watery portion of the perspiration evaporates, the solid 

 matter is left behind on the surface. There, also, remain 

 the scales of the worn-out cuticle, and the excess of seba- 

 ceous matter. In order to secure the natural action of the 

 skin, these impurities require to be removed by the frequfcnt 

 application of water. 



21. In warm climates, and during hot weather, ablution 

 should be more frequently practised. For a person in 

 good health, a daily cold bath is advisable. To this should 

 be added occasionally a tepid bath, with soap, Avater alone 

 not being sufficient to remove impurities of a greasy nature. 

 Soap facilitates this, by forming with such substances a 

 chemical mixture, which is readily soluble in water, and is 

 by it removed from the body. 



19. Give the story in relation to the boy covered with gold foil. 



20. Give the quotation. Perspiration ? 



2 1 . Ablution in warm climates '- What advice i? iriven * 



