THE COVERING OF THE BODY 279 



merely increasing the amount of moisture in the air may 

 make the surroundings seem warmer. The relative humidity 

 in our dwellings and school rooms should be about 50 per 

 cent. (94). 



Practical Exercises 



1. Lift the skin on the back of the hand. How thick is it? 



2. How may drinking ice-water cool the body? 



3. Is it desirable to take a hot bath immediately after a hearty meal? 

 Why? 



4. If one ties a string tightly about his finger, it soon becomes cold. 

 Why? 



6. Why does wet clothing make the body feel chilly (92)? 



6. Why can a fat man endure cold better than a thin one? 



7. In summer why does it seem so oppressive when the air is moist 

 (94)? 



1 



8. Why may rubbing the skin when the body is chilled prevent one 

 from taking cold? 



9. Touch the tips of the hairs on the back of your hand. What indica- 

 tion does this give that the hair follicle is supplied with a nerve? 



10. The finger prints of no two persons seem to be alike. Smear your 

 thumb or finger tip with ink and make a clear ringer print of your own. 

 Compare it with that of your classmates. 



11. Draw a hair between your thumb and finger nail, pressing firmly 

 upon it, and explain the behavior of the hair when released. 



