Patent Medicines.—These are medicines advertised to cure ailments which generally cannot be cured by drugs. They are the medicines much advertised in the newspapers and magazines. Never use them unless your doctor tells you to do so. Many of them contain harmful drugs, such as morphine and alcohol. When you are sick, go to your doctor for advice.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
1. Explain how tobacco is raised.
2. How is tobacco used?
3. How does tobacco affect a boy using it for the first time?
4. What is the name of the poison in tobacco?
5. Tell how tobacco keeps boys from growing.
6. What countries do not allow boys to use tobacco?
7. What is meant by being a slave to tobacco?
8. What is tea?
9. What is coffee?
10. Why should you not use opium or morphine?
CHAPTER XII
THE SKIN AND BATHING
Parts of the Skin.—The skin is about as thick as the leather of your shoe. It is fastened to the muscles beneath with fine white threads like spider webs. This is called connective tissue because it connects the skin to the lean meat.
The skin is made of two layers ([Fig. 45]). The upper layer is formed of cells. This is named epidermis or scarfskin. The deeper layer is made largely of fine threads woven together. It is the true skin or derma. There is no blood in the scarfskin, but there is a network of blood tubes in the true skin. It is the crowding of these with blood that makes the skin look so red when we get hot or excited.
The Use of the Skin.—The skin has three chief uses. It protects the softer parts of the body from being hurt by rough or hard things which might touch it. It contains the organs of feeling. It helps keep the right amount of heat in the body.