Cleanliness

J uil eieaniiiieöö -i wuw iw healtli is a faot that cánnpt be questioned ; nor is it to be wonderend at when we remember tint the skin of an ordinary-sized man has been calculated to contain about twent-eight miles of perspiratory tubes continually exuding more or less moisture, and relieving the body of a large amonnt of -n-aste matter. The mischief which must follow the obstruction of tliis immense drain by dirt and other causes must be obvious, The skin is alsó a great breáthing srarface, ■which is proved by the fact that if an animal is coated with an impermeable varnish it is suffocated in a short time just as effectually as if it had been strangled with a cord. Lastly, the skin is a great absorbent of various matters coming in contact with it, and in this way lead, arsenic and other poisons may enter the body. Cleanliness is, therefore, absolutely necessary in (1) promoting a healthy perspiration, and through this a tinifoi-m temperature of the body ; (2) in lurgely asnisting the lungs in the performance of the function of respiration ; (3) in preventing the absorption of poisonous matter. To clean theskm thoroughly from the scurf and oily mat■ ter, soft water will be found more ef fectual than hard, its solvent power for saline matter being greater, and, when soap is added, the oily matter is at once saponifled and the cleansing is complete. Soap and water should be used ui ]fnst twice in the twenty-four hours on the exposed parts, t'he face and hands, and the whole body should be ! sponged daily with cold or lukewarm water or soap. Warm water or the Turkish bath (in suitable cases) should be used about once a week, and will bo found conducive to health. Cleanliness in the matter of clothing is also very important, as through this channel germs of disease are carried about which not only infect the person carrying them, but likewise those with whom they come in contact.