THE SKIN AND THE KIDNEYS 199 



because the blood is not properly purified, and disorders 

 of various kinds are almost sure to result. 



267. Baths and how to take them. The first object in 

 using soap and water on the skin is to keep it clean ; the 

 second, to give vigor and strength to the whole body. 



It takes very little time, expense, or trouble to take a 

 daily bath of some sort. A hand basin, a sponge, a strip 

 of cotton flannel, a piece of Castile soap, a gallon of water, 

 and a towel are all that are required. Even rubbing the 

 body every day, first with a damp towel and afterwards 

 very briskly with a dry one, will, in most cases, keep the 

 skin clean enough during the week, provided a bath with 

 warm water and soap is taken at the end of the week. 



Coarse and rough towels should always be used if the 

 skin will bear it. Some skins are very active and get rid 

 of a large amount of waste matter. In such cases, a daily 

 bath, especially in hot weather, is almost a necessity. 



Hot baths, with hot drinks, causing free sweating, helped 

 on by wrapping the person snug in bed, with a jug of hot 

 water or a hot flatiron at the side or feet, will often save 

 children and others from illness, if these measures are 

 promptly and vigorously taken after unusual exposure to 

 cold or wet. 



268. Bathing in Cold Water. Most persons, especially 

 the young and vigorous, soon get used to cool, and even 

 cold, baths. If, however, we shiver after a bath instead 

 of feeling a warm, comfortable glow, warmer water should 

 be used. 



The first effect of any cold bath is to cause contraction of 

 the vessels of the skin, and make the surface pallid. Brisk 

 rubbing should soon bring on a reaction, as it is called, in 

 which the skin becomes red and full of blood. Always 



