The Skin in Nature
In a state of nature and nudity there may he no special need of bathing for the sake of cleanliness, because this pur¬pose will be well enough provided for by the exposure to the air and the occasional friction to which the skin is subjected. The so-called “scarf skin” consists of innumerable tiny epi¬thelial cells, in the form of diminutive scales, constantly form¬ing and pushing to the surface from where, in a deadened and dried condition, they are rubbed off. At least they are so rubbed off and forced off’ under natural conditions, that a rea¬sonably clean and good condition of the skin is continuously provided. Theoretically this should be sufficient for cleanli¬ness, though actually it is quite likely that water bathing, if only in the form of swimming, would be necessary to maintain the highest degree of skin cleanliness and skin health. As a matter of fact the savage often bathes for the mere exhilara¬tion of it, although he does not give a thought to the health of any part of his body. In the use of clothing we have so seriously impeded the process of self-cleansing of the skin that bathing becomes an actual necessity from the standpoint of cleanliness, and therefore from the standpoint of health.