In matters of this kind, each one, to
a certain extent, is a law unto himself, and, consequently,
what agrees and what disagrees is only discoverable by the
individual concerned. In what follows, therefore, I have
endeavoured to lay down rules for guidance which will
be beneficial to by far the greatest number ; although this
element of the ego must never be forgotten.
( 24 )
CHAPTER III.
ABLUTION— THE SKIN ANB THE BATH.
It has been estimated that the external skin of an
ordinary adult is equal to an area of about twelve square
feet, and that in a tall man it may be as much as eighteen
square feet. There is a considerable difference between
twelve square feet and twelve feet square, and it is well to
mention the fadt in order that there may be no confusion.
From this large surface alone, therefore, it is quite easy to
see that the skin requires to have some attention paid to it.
But it is really far more important than even its extensive
surface would be likely to indicate, for it fulfils no less than
seven different duties. In the first place it serves as an
external covering to the body, and, as we shall see also, the
internal skin acts as a support to the internal organs.
Secondly, it is endowed with an extensive system of nerves,
which give rise to the sensations of touch, of temperature,
of pressure, and of pain. In this way we can tell whether a
substance is rough or smooth, and whether it is hot or cold;
we recognise, moreover, the difference between a gentle
pressure of the hand and one so forcible as to cause pain.
Thirdly, the skin, as we shall find farther on, contains
thousands of small tubes for the purposes of perspiration,
and besides this, there are other tubes secreting an oily sub-
stance. Fourthly, the skin plays an important part in
regulating the temperature of the body. Thus in a warm
atmosphere the skin becomes reddened and moist, and much
heat is lost ; on the other hand, when the air is colder the
skin becomes pale, cool, and dry, thus conserving the body
heat. Fifthly, the respiratory action of the skin must not
ABLUTION— THE SKIN AND THE BATH. 25
be forgotten, although it is nothing like so great as that of
the lungs. Nevertheless quite an appreciable amount of
oxygen is absorbed through the skin, and beyond all question
carbonic acid is exhaled from it. Sixthly, it is an absorbent;
that is to say, the skin is capable of absorbing into the body
certain substances applied to it. In this way remedies are
often introduced into the system by what is known as
inunction. And lastly, the skin is a great emunctory, and
carries off waste matters from the body. Accordingly it
acts as a purifier of the blood, in which it assists the
kidnejs, intestines, and the lungs. And more than this,
it often happens that the turning point in any disease is
announced by a sudden, profuse, and markedly offensive
perspiration, as if a considerable amount of deleterious and
noxious matter was suddenly expelled from the system.
Page 27
Presented as published in 1893. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In matters of this kind, each one, to a certain extent, is a law unto himself, and, consequently, what agrees and what disagrees is only discoverable by the individual concerned. In what follows, therefore, I have endeavoured to lay down rules for guidance which will be beneficial to by far the greatest number ; although this element of the ego must never be forgotten.
( 24 )
CHAPTER III.
It has been estimated that the external skin of an ordinary adult is equal to an area of about twelve square feet, and that in a tall man it may be as much as eighteen square feet. There is a considerable difference between twelve square feet and twelve feet square, and it is well to mention the fact in order that there may be no confusion. From this large surface alone, therefore, it is quite easy to see that the skin requires to have some attention paid to it. But it is really far more important than even its extensive surface would be likely to indicate, for it fulfils no less than seven different duties. In the first place it serves as an external covering to the body, and, as we shall see also, the internal skin acts as a support to the internal organs. Secondly, it is endowed with an extensive system of nerves, which give rise to the sensations of touch, of temperature, of pressure, and of pain. In this way we can tell whether a substance is rough or smooth, and whether it is hot or cold; we recognise, moreover, the difference between a gentle pressure of the hand and one so forcible as to cause pain. Thirdly, the skin, as we shall find farther on, contains thousands of small tubes for the purposes of perspiration, and besides this, there are other tubes secreting an oily substance. Fourthly, the skin plays an important part in regulating the temperature of the body. Thus in a warm atmosphere the skin becomes reddened and moist, and much heat is lost ; on the other hand, when the air is colder the skin becomes pale, cool, and dry, thus conserving the body heat. Fifthly, the respiratory action of the skin must not
be forgotten, although it is nothing like so great as that of the lungs. Nevertheless quite an appreciable amount of oxygen is absorbed through the skin, and beyond all question carbonic acid is exhaled from it. Sixthly, it is an absorbent; that is to say, the skin is capable of absorbing into the body certain substances applied to it. In this way remedies are often introduced into the system by what is known as inunction. And lastly, the skin is a great emunctory, and carries off waste matters from the body. Accordingly it acts as a purifier of the blood, in which it assists the kidnejs, intestines, and the lungs. And more than this, it often happens that the turning point in any disease is announced by a sudden, profuse, and markedly offensive perspiration, as if a considerable amount of deleterious and noxious matter was suddenly expelled from the system.