222 



CLOTHING AND ITS USES 



the same time of year, because in the tropics the trade 

 winds cause rapid evaporation of the moisture from the 

 body. On a humid day a blanket of stagnant heated 

 air forms about the body, which makes one feel very un- 

 comfortable. For this reason electric fans and the punkas 

 of India have saved people from much discomfort by 

 keeping the air in motion, thus evaporating the moisture, 

 and removing heat from the body. 



Bathing and the skin. Since the skin is such an im- 

 portant organ for heat regulation and for getting rid of 

 wastes as well, it goes without saying that we should take 

 good care of it. Bathing keeps the pores open and the 



skin clean. In summer, when 

 perspiration is increased, 

 baths should be more fre- 

 quent than in winter. A cold 

 shower or plunge every day, 

 both in winter and in summer, 

 is an excellent habit to accus- 

 tom the skin to different 

 changes. If you find that 

 after a rubdown the skin 

 does not glow and you feel 

 cold and chilly, do not take 

 the baths so cold. It is al- 

 ways well to begin with 

 tepid water and gradually turn on colder as the bath pro- 

 gresses. Hot baths should be taken only at night, as they 

 tend to bring blood to the skin and increase the radia- 

 tion. When we chill the body, the body resistance is 

 lowered and germs, which are almost always present in our 

 mouths and throats, develop rapidly and cause a cold. 



The blood is brought to the surface of the 

 body and there loses some of its heat 

 through the skin. 



