The skin is the protective layer or covering of the body which has over 7 million pores. It is the seat of common
sensation; it is impossible to prick the skin with a needle without producing pain and causing a flow of blood
within. One of the purposes of the skin is to regulate the temperature of the body. One who perspires freely in
the summer is less opposed to heat than one who does not; this being, the surplus heat is carried off by the
sweat together with the exhalations from the lungs.
The animal body is a warm body and is constantly emitting heat. The watery vapor and perspiration is very
considerable, but is greatley increased during violent exercise or in hot weather. It is estimated that at least 100
grains of nitrogenous matter are daily thrown off from the skin. If this is arrested, it throws additional labor on the
kidneys; if it remains in the blood, it will prove fatal to health and life. Therefore, great attention should be given
to the ffucntionsof the skin so as to keep the pores open and its function free.
Long ago, Sanctorius, determined that 2/3 of the food and drink taken into the system is eliminated by the skin
with the remaining 1/3 being passed off by the bowels, lungs and kidneys. When perspiration is arrested for a
day or two, the blood will be charged with impurities to an almost incredible amount and disease will be the
natural consequence due to waste matter not being removed through the skin.
Cold applied to the skin or continued exposure to a cold atmosphere or decreased perspiration produces a
bowel complaint, inflammation in the chest or some other, internal organ. When the functions of the skin are
imperfectly performed, the whole body suffers; the heart, lungs, bowels, liver, stomach, the brain and the nerves.
Health is then weakened by the noxious matter with which the blood is loaded; thus a great weight is placed
upon one's health. By restoring the functions of the skin, this weight is removed.
Medical personnel have attached great importance to the secretions of the bowels which only account for 4-5
ounces each day. However, secreted matter through the skin amounts from 1 - 2 pounds per day. Quiet often
the patient is asked, did you have a bowel movement today. Does your skin act properly, a question few ever
think of asking.
There is a great necessity for keeping the pores open by keeping the skin clean. Persons should wash down
the first thing in the morning, take a shower or a bath; then rub well with a coarse cloth. This strengthens the
process of the nervous system, removes perspired matter which has passed off from the body during sleep,
which if not removed will be rre-absorbedand recharges the blood with poisonous matter.
Dry brushing of the skin with a natural, boar, bristle brush or a massage which produces redness and increases
the temperature of the skin, helps to remove toxins. An infra-red heat lamp or sauna are both excellent devices
to assist with this matter. Foot baths are also valuable in drawing cold and toxins from the system. The water
should be as hot as possible and kept up 10 - 20 minutes. A tablespoon of dry mustard should be added to the
water. Another great way to rid toxins is by taking a bath with baking soda, scrub the skin well and the bottom of
the feet and by wearing ddetox pads on the soles of the feet while sleeping. You will be amazed at the waste on
these pads when you awake.
| Skin Importance |