274 COORDINATION AND SENSATION 



upon two conditions a clear skin and an active circula- 

 tion of the blood through it. Clearness of the skin de- 

 pends largely upon the elimination of waste material from 

 the body, and where the solid wastes are not effectively re- 

 moved through the natural channels (the liver, kidneys, 

 and bowels), blotches, sallowness of the skin, and skin 

 eruptions are likely to result. In seeking to clear the 

 complexion, attention must be given to all those agencies 

 that favor the elimination of waste, and especially should 

 there be a free and thorough evacuation of the bowels each 

 day. The general health should also be looked after, 

 attention being given to exercise, fresh air, proper food, 1 

 sufficient sleep, etc. 



Bathing is the chief means employed for increasing the 

 circulation in the skin, although exercise which is suf- 

 ficiently vigorous to cause one to perspire freely is a valu- 

 able aid. A daily bath of warm or hot water, finished off 

 with a dash of cold, followed by a thorough rubbing of 

 the entire surface, and this by a kneading of the skin with 

 the thumbs and fingers, will in most cases bring about the 

 desired results. A little olive oil, thoroughly worked into 

 the skin during the kneading process, is beneficial where 

 one lacks flesh or where the skin is dry and thin. The 

 olive oil is also beneficial where the baths are exhausting or 

 render one susceptible to cold. In rubbing and kneading, 

 the skin should not be bruised or irritated. 



The much advertised "complexion beautifiers " which 

 are applied directly to the face frequently have the effect 

 of clogging the pores and of causing eruptions of the skin. 



1 Foods that are difficult to digest, or which cause disturbances of the digestive 

 organs (a coated tongue being one indication), have a bad effect upon the skin. 

 It is in this way that the use of tea and coffee by some people induces a sallow or 

 "muddy" condition of the complexion. 



