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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 10 (January 1, 1936)

The Skin's Story

The Skin's Story.

During the month of November we have, in Wellington, experienced cold and changeable weather, but now, with the advent of the Christmas month we have the promise of warm, even hot temperatures, which we hope will favour us for many weeks to come.

Has it ever occurred to you to ask why, no matter what the atmospheric temperature may be, the temperature of a normal healthy body remains always the same, 98.4 degrees Farenheit?

Now, to answer this question we must tell you a little about your skin, which perhaps you regard as merely the covering for your body—the wrapping round the parcel, as it were, and of no more importance.

However, it is of much more importance than this, being the largest and one of the most important of the organs of the body.

In structure it is composed of three main layers, the outermost, commonly called the epidermis, is composed of layers of cells which, with wear, are being continually cast off, and in which there are no blood vessels or nerves. The middle layer is composed of fibrous and elastic tissues containing blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics, while the innermost layer is composed of looser tissues and fat cells in which the hair follicles and sweat glands begin, eventually finding their way to the surface through the other layers.

Attached to each hair follicle is a little gland which secrets an oily substance (sebum), while the sweat glands, quite independent of the former, secrete a watery substance.

The four main functions of the skin are: 1, Protective; 2, Sensory; 3, Heat Regulating; 4, Secretory.

1. Protective: The skin resists physical injury and protects underlying structures. It also prevents the ingress of germs. Furthermore it forms, amongst other substances, the much talked of Vitamin D, which is a protection against bone diseases such as rickets and dental caries.

2. Sensory: The nerves which permeate the second layer provide for the appreciation of touch, heat, cold, pain and pressure.

3. Heat Regulating: Heat, resulting from either external temperature, or from exertion, causes the superficial blood vessels to dilate and the skin to redden, so that a larger volume of blood comes to the surface, and consequently heat is lost from the body by process of increased radiation, the reverse taking place on exposure to cold which causes the vessels to contract, the skin to blanch, thereby preventing loss of heat by radiation.

As we will see later, the sweat glands also play a most important part in the matter of heat regulation.

4. Secretory: The glands of the hair follicles secrete an oily substance which lubricates the hair and forms a protective film on the skin surface. The watery secretion from the sweat glands normally equals the amount of urine passed by the bladder, the quantity increasing with heat, thereby reducing body temperature, and decreasing with cold, thereby conserving body temperature. The sweat glands also aid in ridding the body of impurities.

Now you will realise what an important organ the skin is, and appreciate the necessity of caring for it just as much as you care, or should care, for the stomach.

Its duties are manifold and complex Cleansing is essential in order to prevent blocking of the secretory glands, and to remove impurities given off by the sweat glands.

Correct clothing must be worn to suit atmospheric conditions, thus aiding the skin to maintain normal body temperature. Changing of clothing must be attended to, as it becomes contaminated by the skin secretions.

Avoid exposing the skin to sudden changes of temperature which gives rise to chills.

Above all, remember that the skin is one of the most important organs of your body, and give it the care and attention which it demands and deserves.

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