198 



OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



266. Why we should take care of the Skin. Many 

 thousands of sweat glands in the skin, acting like drainage 

 tubes, together with the countless oil glands, pour out daily 

 about two pounds of sweat, oil, and 

 other used-up matters through the 

 hard-worked skin. 



The perspiration evaporates and 

 leaves the solid and oily matters 

 to plug the mouths of these tiny 

 sewer pipes. 



The dead scales of the scarfskin 

 are continually dropping off. They 

 become sticky with the oil, and, 

 getting entangled in the meshes 

 of the clothing, become glued in a 

 kind of thin crust to the surface 

 of the body. This, if not regularly 

 washed off, attracts dirt and dust. 



The glands of the skin thus get 

 choked up and are not able to do 

 their work properly. Other organs, 



Vertical Section of Skin Such aS the lun S S and the kldne y S > 



showing Sweat Gland with now have to do their own work and 

 its Duct help do that of the skin besides. 



The convoluted gland is seen The balance Q f health is disturbed 

 surrounded with fat cells and 



may be traced through the ,,. . j 



true skin to its outlet in the perspiration. In some cases this is caused 



horny layers of the outer skin, by ill health, but in many, perhaps most, 



cases, it is natural to the sufferer, and can 



only be overcome in a measure by extreme care of the person and attention 



to the bath. Sponging the body with water containing a few drops of 



ammonia may afford some relief. 



Frequent change of clothing will be necessary, and dress shields should 



be worn by all who have this unpleasant infirmity, and the same suit or 



dress should never be worn on two consecutive days. 



FIG. 127. 

 BLACKBOARD SKETCH. 



