One of the first things that boys and girls should study is how to keep the health which their kind Creator has given them. Such knowledge will save them days and nights of suffering and perhaps bring them many years of enjoyment. Children give little thought to the care of their bodies, and often form habits whose ill effects are not seen for a long time. Let them, therefore, try to learn, in early life, what is right and wrong in this respect. It is not a hard study. What is more interesting than to learn about the most wonderful machine in the world? That machine is yourself. There never can be any invention to compare with it. God alone can create it, and it is your duty to do all you can to keep it running until worn out. Anatomy is the study of the structure or make-up of our bodies. Physiology tells of the offices or purposes of all the parts of our bodies. Hygiene, or Good Health, is the knowledge of the laws by which all the organs and parts of our bodies are kept in the best possible condition. * * * * * How long ought every boy and girl to live? What is said of death from old age? What is necessary to secure long life? Are these laws simple? What mistake is made by many people? What should be one of the first things for boys and girls to learn? What will such knowledge save them? What do children do? What, therefore, should they try to learn? Is it a hard study? What is the most wonderful machine in the world? What is your duty? What is Anatomy? Physiology? Hygiene, or Good Health? CHAPTER II. CLEANLINESS.—BATHING. One of the first things to remember is the need of keeping your bodies clean. Of course you wash your hands and face as soon as you rise in the morning, and if necessary through the day, but that is not enough. The skin is composed of two layers, the outer or scarf skin and the inner or true skin. The outer is continually wearing out and falls from the body in fine scales. The skin is pierced by thousands upon thousands of pores, or tiny openings, through which a large part of the waste of the body passes. If these pores are allowed to become clogged by want of cleanliness, the waste matter enters the blood and may cause disease and death. The way to keep the pores open is by bathing or cleanliness. When the weather is cold, you should bathe at least once a week at home. The water should be moderately cold. After bathing, rub yourself from head to foot with a coarse towel until the skin becomes warm and red. Then dress quickly and do not go out-of-doors for half an hour. During summer it is well to bathe every day. Salt water is better than fresh. Boys are fond of bathing and are inclined to spend too much time in the water. Avoid stagnant or impure water. Running streams, ponds into and from which water continually flows, creeks, rivers, lakes, and the ocean afford good bathing.