Chapter XIV: Care of the Skin

If you break or cut the skin on your body, you make an opening through which germs can get in. You cannot always help breaking your skin, but you can always wash the break with soap and water, and put a clean cloth over it to keep out germs.

[Sidenote: The work of the sweat glands]

The work of the little sweat glands is very important to your health. These glands are just as important as the kidneys, and if they did not do their work, you would die very quickly. If your body is covered with dirt, the work of these glands is seriously interfered with; and when the sweat glands are not doing their full amount of work, the kidneys must do more than their share. It is never right to make one part of your body do the work intended for another part.

When the body is dirty, not only are the sweat glands interfered with, but the little sebaceous (oil) glands become plugged up, and blackheads appear on the face and body.

[Sidenote: Importance of bathing]

In order that the various glands of the skin may be kept in good health, it is necessary for us to keep clean. To do this we wash our faces and hands and bathe our bodies. Someone may ask, "How often ought a person to take a bath?" The question cannot be answered, except to say, "Just as often as may be necessary for you to keep absolutely clean." Some people do not have to bathe as often as others, but no one can keep clean unless he takes a bath at least twice a week.

[Sidenote: Hot or cold baths]

Another question that is frequently asked is, "Is it better to take a bath in cold or hot water?" This is another question that cannot be answered in the same way for every person. A cold bath is more stimulating than a warm bath. If, after you have taken a cold bath and rubbed yourself briskly with a rough towel, the skin becomes red and warm, a cold bath is best for you. But if, after you have taken a cold bath and rubbed yourself for not more than ten minutes, the skin appears bluish and cold, a cold bath is not good for you, and you should not take it. A cold bath should always be taken in the morning, just after getting out of bed, and a warm bath should always be taken in the evening, just before going to bed.

[Sidenote: How to care for the nails]

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.