AND PHYSIOLOGY. 



309 



quently washing the whole surface of the skin, but also the 

 frequent change of the bed-clothes, under-clothes, etc. And 

 it should be a fixed rule with every one to change the linen 

 and under-garrnents both night and morning ; that is, the 

 under-garment worn during the day should not be worn at 

 night, and the reverse. 



542. — 3. Must be Kept at a Uniform Temperature— 

 We also learn that the skin should be kept at a uniform tem- 

 perature, and up to its normal standard. It therefore needs 

 proper clothing, not so much in the coldest weather — for then 

 our feelings will impel us to do it — but at the changes of tem- 

 perature so common and so great in our climate in spring and 

 autumn, for then we are too apt to neglect it because we feel 

 no especial inconvenience, and yet at these times there is 

 more danger of disease from a want of proper clothing than 

 at any other season of the year. We seldom injure ourselves 

 by too much clothing, because we can easily throw of superflu- 

 ous garments, but often do it by too small an amount of pro- 

 tection. An important rule for every one is, when going * 

 abroad even a short distance from home, to carry with him 



an over garment when exposed to evening air. 



543. -4. Must Come in Contact with the Air.— The 

 skin imbibes oxygen from the air, and hence it is important 

 that air be brought in contact with this membrane. The 

 clothing should be worn so loosely that a thin layer of air will 

 be in contact with nearly every part of the skin. 



544. — 5. Needs Friction —Frequent and thorough dry 

 friction applied to every part of the skin greatly promotes the 

 health, not only of this membrane, but of the whole body. So 

 smooth are the clothes we generally wear next the skin, that 

 but little stimulus is received by them, and hence a thorough 



542. What is necessary for the temperature of the skin, especially for changes in 

 weather? What is said of an over-coat as a constant traveling companion ? 543. Why 

 should the" skin have air in contact with it ? 544. What is the use of friction to the 

 skin? 



