If the skin then, is an emunctory of so much consequence, as we have
endeavoured to shew it to be, it stands to reason, that even the
impartial performance of its functions, is incompatible with healthful
existence. One might go farther and boldly aver, that a person who is a
stranger to the bath, is as much to be pitied as a being with only one
lung; both may exist, neither live.
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that there are thousands of men
and women in these islands, who seem to enjoy a large share of robust
health, and who possess what assurance companies would call, "good
lives," but who never indulge in the luxury of either a bath or a
bedroom tub. But it will generally be found, that these people belong
to the out-door working classes, who take abundant exercise in the open
air, people whose pores are kept patent by the toil they undergo, and
who, moreover, possess capacious lungs, substantial livers and healthy
kidneys. Nevertheless, did these same persons make a practice of
constantly using some form of bath, they would throw far less strain
upon their internal organs, their blood would be purer, and their minds
consequently lighter, and they would stand far less chance of catching
cold, and succumbing to inflammation of some vital part. A person whose
skin is not in easy working order, and who depends upon exertion and
exercise alone, for keeping it up to the mark, must, if thrown on a bed
of sickness, have a harder struggle for life than one whose skin is, in
every sense of the word, a healthy one.
Everything seems to point to the conclusion that the health of the skin
is a matter of paramount importance to the individual, we cannot
therefore be wrong if we devote this chapter to the consideration of the
best means within our reach, of maintaining it in a sound and vigorous
condition.
So intimate is the connection between the skin and internal organs of
the body, and so constantly and incessantly do they act and re-act on
each other, that the state of the former may generally be taken as a key
to the condition of the whole system. If the skin be dry, harsh, hot or
in any way possessed of an uncomfortable feeling, the general health is,
for the time being, out of order, or if it be cold or rough and chilly,
the health must be below par, even although that state of being should
be but momentary.
A feeling of warmth, comfort and geniality, pervades the skin of the man
who is well; deprived of this feeling he is deprived of health, he is
ill, acutely subacutely, or chronically ill.
DIET:--The influence of diet on the skin is very great.
This is a fact which should be borne in mind by all, but especially by
those who are subject to any kind of skin complaint, or to gout or
rheumatism. The latter disease, from which so many people suffer
periodically, is, with a good show of reason, believed to be caused by a
superabundance of acid in the blood. This acid is easily got rid of at
most times, by means of the sensible and insensible perspiration; but
if, through some error in diet, an irritable condition of the mucous
membrane of the alimentary canal is produced, and a larger proportion of
acid than usual is the result; and if at or about the same time
something--a cold, or chill, for instance--interferes with the free
action of the skin, it stands to reason that an attack of the old enemy,
gout, or rheumatic gout will supervene, and the character of the attack
will greatly depend on the condition of the patient's system at the
time. If he be full blooded and robust it may be acute or sub-acute.
Thus it often happens that at the very time when a man of rheumatic
diathesis is in finest form, he is suddenly laid prostrate by the return
of his foe. If, on the other hand, he be not of a full habit, the
disease will be less violent in its nature, and this probably accounts
for the fact, that men of spare habit are, as a rule, capable of
weathering more rheumatic storms than men who have been cast in a larger
mould.
No medical man now-a-days thinks of prescribing for a patient without at
the same time giving him advice as to what he should eat, drink, or
avoid. Some hundred years ago, physicians were, we may presume, not so
skilled as we are now-a-days, but neither were they so apt to lose
themselves in that labyrinth we may call _causae morborum_, and they
never lost sight of the state of the stomach and bowels. Indeed, the
exhibition of aperients was often a kind of sheet anchor with them, with
which they held on with determination when everything else failed them,
and we can scarcely doubt that they were often right in doing so. Nor
is the belief so common with the illiterate, that if a man can eat and
drink moderately well, there cannot be much the matter with him, so very
erroneous after all. Diet is of paramount importance with all of us,
for the simplest reason possible. Our blood is generated from the food
we eat, and as the blood is, so will the system be, which it has to
nourish. No matter how clever a mania, or how rich, or how eminent, if
he is guilty of errors in diet, he is but a golden calf with feet of
clay.
But he who lives judiciously in the matter of diet, possesses a truly
marvellous advantage over his fellows who do not. A man in health
should begin the day early. He ought to have his morning tub by
half-past seven at the latest. He ought to dress leisurely, and have,
if possible, a five or ten minutes' walk in the open air, before he sits
down to breakfast.
Well-made tea is probably the best beverage for breakfast, and if
between meals a man requires some refreshment, a cup of coffee or tea
will be found more sustaining and less dangerous than either beer or
wine.
The breakfast maybe a moderately hearty one, and the dinner should be an
early one, and nothing ought to be partaken of which is known to
disagree. Supper should be early and light, but not necessarily sloppy.
Solid food is more likely to be quietly digested than slops. A biscuit
and glass of milk, or beer, may be partaken about half an hour before
retiring, if it is found that sounder sleep is acquired by such
indulgence.
The errors in diet which should be avoided are:--First, eating too fast;
second, taking stimulants of any kind to provoke an appetite; third, the
use of rich sauces and peppers; fourth, eating too much; and fifth,
partaking of too many varieties at one meal. A man should eat with
_regularity_ and _moderation_, and _frequently change his diet_.
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DRINK.--Pure water is the best, but water that will not wash is unfit
for drinking or making food, withal. Cocoa, coffee, tea, and milk in
moderation, and in summer whey and buttermilk are healthful drinks.
Iced waters, cooling cups, and too many effervescing mixtures are to be
avoided.
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Regularity in the times of going to bed and getting up should be
studied.
PURE AIR.--One cannot have too much of this. The air in rooms ought to
be kept pure and sweet, and that of the bedroom moderately warm.
Bedrooms ought to be large, and not overfilled with furniture,
especially things likely to collect dust. Curtains about beds do more
harm than good.
DRESS AND CLOTHING.--No more should be worn than is necessary to keep
the surface of the body agreeably comfortable. It should not be tight,
and mackintoshes and goloshes are injurious to health. Bed clothes
should be light and warm. People, as a rule, heap their beds with far
too much clothing, and sleep is thus often banished.
SLEEP.--Secure it by natural means; _never_, unless under medical
advice, by taking draughts, or "night-caps." Regularity in living,
exercise, and the bath, are the best narcotics, but a pipe of mild
tobacco last thing may often do good.
EXERCISE.--Exercise, to be beneficial, should be pleasant, the mind
should be free and happy. Exercise does little or no good unless
enjoyed, hence work is not exercise. It should never be carried to the
verge of fatigue, and if the under-clothing has been damped by
perspiration, it ought to be changed before sitting or lying down. As
to under-clothing, no one over thirty, who values his health and life,
should neglect to wear it in some form, wool is warmer than cotton, silk
better than either. The best form of exercise is that which maintains
the largest number of muscles in play, and does not over-sweat the body,
nor over-heat the head. It ought to be varied, too, but whether it be
walking, riding, driving, rowing, playing games, or those most
exhilarating exercises bicycling and tricycling, it ought to be taken
regularly, day after day, and we may add, all the year round.
While taking exercise, the clothing ought to be as loose as possible, in
order to permit of the full play of the muscles, and avoid dangerous
contractions of the internal vital organs.
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Note 1. See, "Tea, the Drink of Pleasure and of Health," by same
author, published by Messrs. Field and Tuer, Leadenhall Street.