THE SKIN. 53 



cause. On the other hand, too much care, in the way of too 

 frequent brushing, combing and .shampooing, is the reason 

 given by some writers on the subject for the early falling 

 of the hair. To prevent baldness, keep the head clean, by 

 avoiding the use of oil or any of the so-called hair dressings, 

 and by thoroughly washing the head occasionally. Have the 

 hair cut regularly say, once a month and comb or dress it 

 twice, or at most three times, a day. Use light coverings. 



7. The Nails. The horny material forming the nails on 

 the fingers and the toes is a development of the epidermis. 

 The root of the nail consists of a furrow in the true skin, and 

 the cells of the epidermis so arrange themselves in this furrow 

 as to shape the nail and give it the horny character. The 

 body of the nail rests, upon the true skin, the bed. The 

 growth of the nail takes place from the root by constant 

 addition of flattened cells, and the thickness is increased by 

 similar growth from the bed. The nail is intended to give 

 protection to the fingers and toes when in use. A nail may 

 be torn off and again grow, unless the bed is destroyed. It 

 may grow in an irregular manner, from the effect of an 

 injury, or more commonly, in the case of the toes, from the 

 pressure of tight boots. The free borders of the nail at the 

 sides of the toe are turned down by this pressure, and/ if 

 continued, form the ingrowing nail. 



8. Care of the Skin. Think of the amount of service 

 rendered by the skin.(0lt covers the tender flesh ; it regulates 

 the heat of the body by the sweat it pours out, and smoothes 

 and softens its surface with oil ; it assists the lungs and kid- 

 neys in carrying off waste material, and it absorbs or takes 

 into the system, to a limited extent at least, whatever may be 

 left long in contact with the body. Knowing all this, should 

 we not look carefully after its welfare 1 



The scales of the epidermis are constantly falling off, and, 

 mixing with the oil, form a sort of crust on the body. Dust 



