166 THE HUMAN KODY. 



6, People who are sick or in pain, often receive great 

 relief and comfort from having the skin rubbed; and 

 it not only relieves, but, when thoroughly and perse- 

 veringly done, it helps to cure many diseases. It is good 

 for well people also. Thorough friction of the whole 

 body with a brush or a dry towel every morning, is the 

 next best thing to a daily bath. It exercises the muscles 

 of the skin. It brings the blood into it. It removes the 

 accumulations of dead cuticle and perspiration. 



7, No other one thing is so important for the health of 

 the skin as bathing. It is possible for a delicate person 

 to bathe too much, and imprudent bathing is sometimes 

 hurtful. But, practiced with discretion, it is of great ad- 

 vantage. True, very many people enjoy good health who 

 never bathe. But it seems unnecessary to argue, that to 

 keep the skin clean, the pores open, the glands active, and 

 the circulation free, by water and rubbing combined, must 

 make the skin, and therefore the whole body, more healthy. 



8, Cold water is a natural stimulant of the skin. The 

 slight shock that it gives to the nervous system rouses the 

 whole body to greater activity. Salt-water bathing is 

 more invigorating than fresh-water bathing, because the 

 salt has a direct, stimulating effect of its own. 



9, There is no other safeguard against colds so good as 

 a daily bath. We take cold because the skin is sensitive 

 and delicate, and will not bear exposure to the damp or 

 chilly air. By regular bathing, it is made vigorous, the 

 blood flows freely through it, and its nerves are strength- 

 ened, so that we do not get chilled. 



For that very common affection, catarrh, cold water, 

 used freely and regularly on the skin, is an excellent 

 remedy. 



