The Pedestrian's Record

64 the pedestrian's record. escape of these excretions, or retarding theirevapora­ tion. The epidermis is made up of flattened, oval, or polygonal cells, which protect the true skin from injury, and limit the evaporation of fluids from it. The scurf which a man notices when he brushes his hair is nothing more than the natural separation of these used-up cells, which, having served their pur­ pose, make room for the formation of others to take their place, many of which, if not removed by washing or friction, either with the rough towel or brush, would remain and become so many barriers to the escape of impurities, the conglomerate exudation of the sebaceous and sudoriparous glands holding in its oleaginous mesh the used-up epidermic cells, which, by continuous aggregation block up the pores of the skin, and this injuriously affects the operation of the transpiratory function. Dirt will accumulate on all things on the unworked human body, but more so upon the man engaged in daily physical exertion, or in those pastimes in which the athlete delights; con­ sequently, for such persons frequent libations are demanded, or at any rate some means must be brought into operation so as to effect the removal of the cuticular cttbris which plugs the openings of the glands. This can be effected by other means than washing : the friction obtained by rubbing the body with a rough towel will remove the epidermis, and with it the accumulated dirt; but rubbers and brushes do not effectively accomplish what is required. The Turkish bath, which is only a sequitur of the