MANUAL OF NATURE STUDY. 
67 
skin is porous and therefore an absorbent. If the 
water contains poisonous gas, or poison in solution, 
the skin will take it up and carry it into the gen¬ 
eral circulation of the blood and thus seriously en¬ 
danger the health of the individual. For further 
remarks on bathing, see Second Year work and 
Jenkins ’ Physiology. 
4. Unwholesome drinks .—Under this heading 
all drinks containing Alcohol as an active principle 
may be considered. 
1. Cider. How made? Where does the alcohol 
of cider come from ? What would be the effect of 
habitual drinking of hard cider ? Real hard cider 
is about one-tenth alcohol. 
2. How is alcohol made ? -Make several experi¬ 
ments with alcohol to show its evil effects. First: 
put a small quantity in a cup or saucer and set fire 
to it. Will it burn? Second: treat the white of 
an egg in a cup or small vessel, with a quantity of 
alcohol. Stir for a few moments. What is the 
effect upon the egg? What then would be the 
effect upon all proteids, or albumenoids in the 
stomach if treated to a drink of alcohol? What 
effect upon the brain ? ^Nerves ? Muscles? Would 
a small quantity of alcohol as found in hard cider, 
if repeated several times a day for a few years, affect 
our system? How is beer made? What is the 
