The finger nails and toe nails are a part of the skin and they also need to be taken care of. You will see at the root of your finger nails a thin layer of skin that is inclined to grow out with the nail. If this skin is not kept pushed back it becomes rough, breaks into little shreds, and forms "hang nails." This little band of skin should always be kept carefully pushed back. The finger nails should be kept evenly and neatly trimmed, but they should not be cut so close to the skin that the ends of the fingers project beyond the nails. The nails are for the protection of the ends of the fingers and toes. Nails that are trimmed unevenly and nails that are bitten off are ugly and indicate untidy habits. The shape of the nails should follow the outline of the ends of the finger. Neither is it a sensible fashion to trim the nails to points or to let them grow very long. The toe nails need attention just as much as do the finger nails. They should be trimmed to follow the shape of the toe. Failure to trim the toe nails properly will result in ingrowing nails. Dirt is very likely to collect under the nails. This should always be carefully cleaned out. You cannot wash this dirt out unless you use a stiff nail brush. If you clean your nails just after you wash your hands, you will find that it will be much easier to get the dirt out while the dirt and the nail are both softened by the soap and water. In cleaning your nails, use a dull nail cleaner or a smooth wooden stick. Do not scrape the inside of the nail with a sharp knife. This scraping of the inside of the nails will cause them to catch the dirt more easily, as well as to grow thicker and thicker until they become very ugly. Neat, clean finger nails help to make pretty hands; dirty, untidy nails spoil the prettiest hands. =Questions.= 1. What are the uses of the sweat glands? 2. How often should people take baths? 3. How can you tell whether a hot or a cold bath is better for you? 4. Tell how finger nails should be cared for. 5. How should toe nails be treated? =Remember.= 1. If you do not keep your body clean, the glands of the skin cannot do their work properly. 2. Every person should take a bath at least twice a week; some persons need a bath every day in order to keep clean. 3. If you take a bath in cold water, and the skin does not become warm and pink when you rub it with a rough towel, a cold bath is not good for you. 4. Cold baths should be taken in the morning on getting up. 5. Warm baths should be taken in the evening before going to bed. 6. Finger nails should always be kept clean and neat; dirty, untidy nails make ugly hands. CHAPTER XV COMMON POISONS TO BE AVOIDED Many people are killing the cells of their bodies by taking certain poisons into them. There are many kinds of poisons that can be taken into the body, but we are going to learn now about only two. These are tobacco and alcohol.