CARE OF SKIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 10

CARE OF SKIN.

DAILY DUTY. (Contributed by Dept, of Health). The skin is one of the essential organs of the body. Most people do not realise that it is an actively working organ as well as a protective and sensitive covering. The skin forms on outer coat encasing the body and as such it is in constant, intimate contact with the air and with the objects which surround us. By surface radiation and evaporation it regulates the temperature of the body. It is also an excretory organ, as it contains innumerable sweat glands whose ducts open on the surface. There are other glands of the skin—sebaceous glands. The skin is therefore exuding sweat and sebaceous matter which. mixed with shed epidermic scales and scurf, accumulates on the surface, and must be periodically removed if the body is to be fcept in a clean and wholesome condition. Some of this matter penetrates Into the underelothing next to the skin, thus rendering periodical changes of underclothing necessary. Diity skin and dirty clotnes are not only disagreeable to the senses, but are injurious to the health, as they lessen the excretion of waste materials on the surface of the body, and therefore throw more work on the internal excretory organs. Uncleanly people in whom the skin is too clogged with dirt to perform its functions are also more liable to chill than those whose skins are clean. Baths and Bathing. To keep the skin in good health a hot bath should be taken at least once a week, preferably at night in order to avoid chill. Cold baths are less cleansing than hot but more stimulating and invigorating. The best time for a cold | bath is on rising. Very young and delicate people do not as a rule stand cold baths well, and for them a daily Lepid sponge is preferable. ' Swimming baths are of great value.

Not only do they afford opportunity for acquiring a valuable accomplishment, but they provide physical exercise in a form that is most potent for the promotion of health. Where school baths 1 have been instituted they have been found to lead not only to greater cleanliness of underclothing and person among the pupils, but to increased selfreliance. better moral tone, better 1 mental attainment, and most decidedly | better physical development. Clean Feet. Special attention to the care of the 1 feet is essential as a large amount of perspiration is given off by the sweat glands on the soles of the feet, even in the coldest weather This, together j with the scales which collect in the | spaces between the toes, must be daily I removed by washing, as otherwise the j feet rapidly become offensive. Skin Diseases. I Lack of personal cleanliness predisI poses to skin disease such as ringworm. I impetigo contagious, and scabies or itch. Dirty skin and clothing attract lice the effect of which is much more serious than would at first appear probable as the intense irritation inflicts much loss of rest and consequent nervous disturbance on the sufferers. Health Asset. A clean health skin is clear and fresh. It is joy to look upon. Health, wholesomeness and sweetness are suggested by a healthy skin and these are a decided asset in the struggle for existence. As a social obligation alone, therefore, the skin should be kept healthy and clean. Paint and powder do not hide a dull soggy skin; and this subterfuge does not help to get rid of the real trouble. A clean moist skin is one of nature's signs to indicate that the whole body is in good health. Three important essentials for beautiful skin are clean- , liness, good food and elimination.