THE SKIN.
A protection from the outer world, it is our only means of communicating with it. Insensible itself, it is the organ of touch. It feels the pressure of a hair, yet bears the weight of the body. It yields to every motion of that which it wraps and holds in place. It hides from view the delicate organs within, yet the faintest tint of a thought shines through, while the soul paints upon it, as on a canvas, the richest and rarest of colors.
ANALYSIS OF THE SKIN.
| 1. The Cutis; its Composition and Character. | 1. THE STRUCTURE | 2. The Cuticle; its Composition and Character. | OF THE SKIN. | 3. The Value of the Cuticle. | |4. The Complexion. | | | a. Description. | _ | b. Method of Growth. | | 1. The Hair…..| c. As an Instrument of | | | Feeling. | 2. THE HAIR AND | | d. Indestructibility of | THE NAILS. | | the Hair. | | | |_2. The Nails….| a. Uses. | |_b. Method of Growth. | _ | 3. THE MUCOUS | 1. The Structure. | MEMBRANE | 2. Connective Tissue. | |3. Fat. | | | 1. Number and Kinds of Teeth. | | _ | | 1. The Two Sets.| 1. The Milk Teeth. | | |_2. The Permanent Teeth. | | | 4. THE TEETH. | 2. Structure of the Teeth. | | 3. The Setting of the Tooth in the Jaw. | | 4. The Decay of the Teeth. | |5. The Preservation of the Teeth. | _ | | 1. The Two Kinds.| 1. Oil Glands. | | |_2. Perpiratory Glands. | | | 5. THE GLANDS | 2. The Perspiration. | | 3. The Absorbing Power of the Skin. (See | | Lymphatics.) | | | 1. About Washing and Bathing. | | 2. The Reaction. | | 3. Sea Bathing. _ | 6. HYGIENE | | a. General Principles. | | | b. Linen. | | | c. Cotton. | |_4. Clothing…….| d. Woolen. | | e. Flannel. | | f. Color of Clothing. | | g. Structure of | | Clothing. | | h. Insufficient | | Clothing. | | 1. Erysipelas. | | 2. Salt Rheum. |_7. DISEASES. | 3. Corns. | 4. Ingrowing Nails. | 5. Warts. |_6. Chilblains.
THE SKIN.
THE SKIN is a tough, thin, close-fitting garment for the protection of the tender flesh. Its perfect elasticity beautifully adapts it to every motion of the body. We shall learn hereafter that it is more than a mere covering, being an active organ, which does its part in the work of keeping in order the house in which we live. It oils itself to preserve its smoothness and delicacy, replaces itself as fast as it wears out, and is at once the perfection of use and beauty.
1. STRUCTURE OF THE SKIN.
CUTIS AND CUTICLE.—What we commonly call the skin—viz., the part raised by a blister—is only the cuticle [Footnote: Cuticula, little skin. It is often styled the scarfskin, and also the epidermis (epi, upon; and derma, skin).] or covering of the cutis or true skin. The latter is full of nerves and blood vessels, while the former neither bleeds [Footnote: We notice this in shaving; for if a razor goes below the cuticle, it is followed by pain and blood. So insensible is this outer layer that we can run a pin through the thick mass at the roots of the nails without discomfort.] nor gives rise to pain, neither suffers from heat nor feels the cold.
The cuticle is composed of small, flat cells or scales. These are constantly shed from the surface in the form of scurf, dandruff, etc., but are as constantly renewed from the cutis [Footnote: We see how rapidly this change goes on by noticing how soon a stain of any kind disappears from the skin. A snake throws off its cuticle entire, and at regular intervals.] below.
Under the microscope, we can see the round cells of the cuticle, and how they are flattened and hardened as they are forced to the surface. The immense number of these cells surpasses comprehension. In one square inch of the cuticle, counting only those in a single layer, there are over a billion horny scales, each complete in itself.—HARTING.