CHAPTER VII.

CLEANLINESS AND BATHING.

CLEANLINESS of the body has at least three advantages: it promotes health, improves the personal appearance, and removes causes of offence to others. So important is it that a great practical divine said that cleanliness is next to godliness. Although cleanliness is not so universal as it should be, it is now much more common than formerly, and a dirty person is not regarded as respectable. No lesson is more important for the young than to learn the necessity for perfect cleanliness of the body; and although they may not be able to accomplish it in its fullest sense, they should make every effort to do so.

When the skin is dirty the pores are covered, and the perspiration which goes on without being noticed, is hindered. This is more important than is generally understood, for it is by means of that kind of perspiration that the body is kept cool, and the heat regulated. In this sense dirt will be more hurtful in summer than in winter, because the cooling of the body is then more needed, but it is required at every hour of the day, and particularly within three hours after meals. It is also more needful in those who have enough to eat than in those who starve. (See Fig. 20, p. 134.)

But besides cooling the body, the skin throws out matters which the body does not need and must get rid of, many of

which have a strong odour when allowed to remain on the skin, so that dirty persons smell sour or are otherwise offensive. If not removed from the skin they prevent more from escaping, and the body is obliged to retain that which for health it ought to lose. Further, perspiration with dirt adhering to the skin, which may not be offensive at first, becomes so after a time, and makes the person disagreeable to all about him.

It must not be forgotten that those who have dirty and offensive skins become accustomed to the smell, and do not notice that it is offensive, and thus they are disagreeable and disliked by others, without knowing the cause. This is particularly undesirable, and, when known, is extremely humiliating.

These remarks apply to the whole skin, for every part of it perspires; but more particularly to certain parts. Thus, the face, neck, and hands being uncovered, cool the body more than the parts which are covered, and therefore should be kept particularly clean. The arm-pits and feet give a peculiarly offensive smell, which is perceived through any amount of clothing, and particularly when the person is warm; and therefore should be kept very clean. When woollen shirts are worn next the skin, and particularly in hot weather, and are not changed frequently, and the skin is not cleansed daily, the part of the body which is covered becomes offensive.

In hot weather the perspiration now referred to, and which is called insensible because we do not see it, is greatly increased, and covers the whole body with vapour or fluid. It is partially absorbed by the clothing, but the parts unclad show the drops or streams of water. This is absolutely necessary in those who make much exertion, and if it were possible to stop it, the person must die. Many of those who

work hard become very dirty with the dust, as is particularly the case with colliers, or chimney sweeps; and if they are not cleanly, it is most difficult for them to keep in health. Many more diseases are due to want of cleanliness than dirty people are aware of.

From all this, it follows that whilst the hands and face should be cleansed several times a day, the whole body, including the feet, should be washed so frequently as to keep it clean. There is difficulty in many small houses in obtaining conveniences to wash the body all over, but every one may wash below the head, face, and neck, and the feet daily, and when engaged in dirty work, may wash down to the loins. There are now public baths in all the larger towns, and everybody should wash in such a bath once a week, or as often as may be possible.

The use of soap is necessary, and particularly to workmen, and hot water should be used whenever the skin is very dirty. The washing and subsequent rubbing should be thorough, so as to completely cleanse the skin and remove the water. Those who do not make much exertion, and who wash the body daily, find that very little soap and effort are necessary, whilst the ease of washing and sense of comfort are very great. Try to do this, and you will find it become easier and more agreeable every day.

The use of clean clothing is nearly as important as washing the skin, for a clean skin and a dirty, sour-smelling shirt do not agree. So also a person cannot be called clean who wears dirty outer clothes, whether gowns or coats, however clean the skin may be; but, in fact, a person who willingly wears dirty clothes does not well wash the skin. Cleanliness of skin will cause cleanliness everywhere, and is one of the best motives for tidiness. For the same reason, a person who has a clean skin will not wilfully cause unneces

sary dirt in anything or anywhere, and therefore becomes a more agreeable neighbour.

Those who handle substances which may cause disease have far greater reasons for cleanliness than others, and such are plumbers and chimney-sweeps. If they would wash their skin frequently, the dangerous matter would not be absorbed into the blood, and they would be spared from colic, skin disease, and cancer. It is carelessness on this subject that has produced permanent palsy of the wrist and hand in many a water-gilder, and liability to lead poisoning in plumbers and painters. In every occupation lay down the fundamental rule that you will not injure your health for want of a little soap and water.

Bathing is, no doubt, a part of washing and cleanliness, for one cannot bathe in clean water without becoming cleaner, but it is used for health on other grounds.

Cold baths when properly taken, harden the skin and make it less liable to take colds, and must therefore be useful. It is, however, necessary to use reasonable caution. As the water is colder than the body it may take away too much heat suddenly, which would weaken, and might even bring on cramp which has caused many to be drowned. It is, therefore, desirable not to stay too long in the water, and to keep moving when in it, and probably five minutes is as long as the bath should be continued. Some remain in so long that they are very cold and exhausted and feel worse for bathing, whilst others remain in for a long time in order to learn to swim; and as everybody should learn that art they may be excused, if they suffer no perceptible harm. In all such cases the skin should be well rubbed afterwards, so as to produce a glow of heat, and if very cold, a cup of hot coffee with hot milk should be drunk, whilst in extreme cases the person should go to bed and be covered with blankets or be put into a hot bath.

When a cold slipper-bath is taken the water should not be too cold, and as no exertion can be made it should not be continued more than two or three minutes. Cold bathing in a house should, however, be restricted to plunging, sponging, and shower-baths, which are over in a very short time. In warm weather nothing is more beneficial or more easily accomplished than a shower-bath, and the cost of the apparatus is now very small.

Sea bathing is the best mode of cold bathing, since the waves compel the bather to move about, and the salt prevents colds; but, even then, the duration of the bath should not exceed five minutes. It is important to cover the whole body with water, so that all parts may be equally cold, and perhaps nothing more is required than to duck over head a few times and then go out. Much of the present bathing of women and children in the sea is useless, if not something worse.

Sea bathing is usually taken as an amusement by persons in health, with pleasure and impunity, but it is very different with those who are in a state of disease. With the water at 55° and the body at 98° it is clear that the latter will very speedily lose much heat, and if the appetite for food, or the digestion of food, be insufficient, it may be very injurious. Consumptive and very feeble people should take such baths with the greatest caution, and under medical advice. On the other hand operatives, who become dirty in the performance of their duties, may thus cleanse the skin, but less easily than in fresh water.

The portion of salt which remains upon the skin is very valuable in stimulating that organ and preventing colds.