In order fairly to estimate the value of baths, we ought to know something of the structure and functions of the skin. The skin is furnished with millions of little holes and tubes, these holes are called the pores of the skin, through which watery vapour or sweat is poured out; it is estimated that there are no less than 3,000 of the tubes and holes pouring out sweat in space not larger than a shilling, so that as long as the skin is kept clean, sweat or watery vapour is poured out from the skin. This sweat contains decaying and poisonous waste matter, which is worse than useless to the system. Hence the importance of baths and personal ablutions. Further, the healthy action of the skin bears a greater relation to our health than we might at first imagine. The function or office of the skin is closely correlated with the office of other internal organs. The skin performs the various functions of absorption, secretion, excretion, &c. If the skin fails in its duty, the work is thrown upon the liver and kidneys, consequently, they are doing double duty, and if not soon relieved they become overtaxed, and consequently injured. Further, a dirty skin affects our spirits; if the skin is dirty the terminal branches of nerves and blood vessels are not benefited and strengthened by atmospheric air. I hope the above is simple and intelligible, and that I have shown that it is impossible to enjoy life if we allow our skin to be clogged with dirt. We have seen the vital importance of fresh air and pure water. Yet, as Dr. Lankester so suggestively remarks in his address upon public health at the last Social Science Congress, “As the animal organism cannot live in air and water, but requires the varied compounds of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen for its existence, the whole question of the relation of the elements used as food becomes the subject of our inquiries. Here our researches are based especially on chemical facts, and we must take for our guides Mülder and Liebig, and the great school of chemical physiologists. The freshest air and the purest water will be no protection from disease and death, unless the human system is supplied in its food with the elements necessary for the play of those chemical forces which result in life. Not only must there be food supplying the materials of combustion and nutrition, but each tissue is built up and constituted its own peculiar way. The blood must be supplied with chloride of sodium and iron, the bones with phosphate, carbonate, and fluate of lime; the muscles with potash; the bile with sulphur; the saliva with cyanogen; the teeth, hair and nails with silica. A diet deficient of any of these materials may be the source of disease. Our navy was formerly decimated for want of fresh vegetables, our army was starved on an excessive diet of salt beef, our children die if fed alone on arrowroot or corn-flour. Those who inhale abundance of fresh air, and have access to infinite stores of pure