A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher SchoolsBlaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Science
A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher Schools
Blaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Human physiology; Physiology
Experiment 127. Plunge the hand into water at about 97°F. One
experiences a feeling of heat. Then plunge it into water at about
86°F.; at first it feels cold, because heat is abstracted from the
hand. Plunge the other hand direct into water at 86°F. without
previously placing it in water at 97°F.,—it will feel pleasantly warm.
Experiment 128. _To illustrate warm and cold spots_. With a blunt
metallic point, touch different parts of the skin. Certain points
excite the sensation of warmth, others of cold, although the
temperatures of the skin and of the instrument remain constant.
245. Necessity for Personal Cleanliness. It is evident that the skin,
with its myriads of blood-vessels, nerves, and sweat and oil glands, is
an exceedingly complicated and important structure. The surface is
continually casting off perspiration, oily material, and dead scales.
By friction and regular bathing we get rid of these waste materials. If
this be not thoroughly done, the oily secretion holds the particles of
waste substances to the surface of the body, while dust and dirt
collect, and form a layer upon the skin. When we remember that this
dirt consists of a great variety of dust particles, poisonous matters,
and sometimes germs of disease, we may well be impressed with the
necessity of personal cleanliness.
This layer of foreign matter on the skin is in several ways injurious
to health. It clogs the pores and retards perspiration, thus checking
the proper action of the skin as one of the chief means of getting rid
of the waste matters of the body. Hence additional work is thrown upon
other organs, chiefly the lungs and the kidneys, which already have
enough to do. This extra work they can do for only a short time. Sooner
or later they become disordered, and illness follows. Moreover, as this
unwholesome layer is a fertile soil in which bacteria may develop, many
skin diseases may result from this neglect. It is also highly probable
that germs of disease thus adherent to the skin may then be absorbed
into the system. Parasitic skin diseases are thus greatly favored by
the presence of an unclean skin. It is also a fact that uncleanly
people are more liable to take cold than those who bathe often.
The importance of cleanliness would thus seem too apparent to need
special mention, were it not that the habit is so much neglected. The
old and excellent definition that dirt is suitable matter, but in the
wrong place, suggests that the place should be changed. This can be
done only by regular habits of personal cleanliness, not only of the
skin, the hair, the teeth, the nails, and the clothing, but also by the
rigid observance of a proper system in daily living.
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