Ellis's Primary Physiology; Or, Good Health for Boys and Girls

The hair needs little attention. A boy should not wear it long and it should be carefully combed and brushed. Girls who let theirs grow longer should have it frequently clipped, as it gives it vigor.

Never put oil or grease on the hair, for it catches and holds the dirt in the air, soils clothing, clogs the pores at the roots, and tends to produce baldness.

If you will brush your hair vigorously for several minutes every morning, it will soon acquire a gloss and look better than if smeared with pomatum. The odor will be pleasant and the hair will not ruin articles and clothing with which it comes in contact. Now and then it is well to clean the hair with Castile soap, warm water and a strong brush. Shampooing is excellent.

Hair is a non-conductor of heat,—that is, very little heat or cold can be made to pass through it. It serves as a protection to the brain. While a great many men are baldheaded, you very rarely see a woman thus afflicted. This is because they do not wear air-tight coverings for their heads, but the scalp is kept cool and healthy. It is a good thing for children to leave off their hats and caps, except when necessary to protect them out-of-doors.

THE EAR.

The ears need even less care than the hair, for that which is called by the name, is only the covering of the true ear. Every boy and girl will make sure that when the face and hands are washed, the neck and ears are not forgotten. The shape of the outer ear causes it to catch many of the particles always floating in the air. These can be easily removed with the end of the forefinger, covered by a portion of a moist towel.

Do not pick the ears. The wax is placed there by nature for a wise purpose. It keeps out dirt and insects and protects from injury the delicate organs of the true ear within. If the wax becomes too abundant or hard, it can be easily removed with the forefinger. If anything more is required, go to a doctor.

THE EYE.

The eye is the most wonderful organ of the body, and with simple care can be preserved all through life. Boys and girls who have bright, strong eyes are apt to weaken them by carelessness in their use.

You should never apply water, either warm or cold, to the eyeball. When washing your face, keep your eyes closed, but wash the corners and outer surface. The gummy substance which sometimes collects is thus removed without trouble. It is well sometimes to close the eyes and rub them briskly, just as we feel like doing on awaking from sleep.

Never strain the eyes by trying to read or examine anything closely when the light is poor. When it becomes an effort to see distinctly, cease the effort at once. A strong glare of light is also hurtful.

In reading or study, do not permit the light to fall on the page from the front. It should pass over the shoulder, the left being preferable. It is well also to wear a shade over the forehead, especially when writing at night, and it is necessary that the light should come from the front, on account of the shadow made by the hands.

When the eyes become weary and the letters or figures begin to dance and flicker, cease work. If a cinder lodges under the lids, do not attempt to remove it by rubbing; that only adds to the irritation. Close the eye and then carefully draw the upper lid over the lower. This will cause a flow of the fluid of the eye which will probably wash away the substance.

If this fails, a friend is not likely to have any trouble in removing the object with the corner of a silk handkerchief. Should he find it impossible to relieve you, go without delay to an oculist.

Sometimes the eyes of children have been weakened by sickness, and it is necessary to use spectacles. When a boy or girl feels any peculiar sensation about the eyes, or they seem to act wrongly, the oculist should be appealed to at once.

FEET.

The feet must be kept clean and warm. Some prefer cotton and some woolen stockings. Use whichever are the most comfortable. Never wear shoes that are too tight. If you do you will suffer in after years from corns and bunions. The nails of the feet as well as of the hand should be kept pared and clean, but their surface should never be scraped.

What is said of the hair? What should be done by a boy? By a girl?

What objection have you to oil and grease?

How can the hair be made glossy? How is that superior to pomatum? How should the head be cleaned?

Of what use is the hair? Why are so many men baldheaded? Why is it rare that we meet a baldheaded woman? When only should the head be covered?

What is said of the ear? How should it be kept clean?

What of the wax in the ear?

What can you say concerning the eye? What is often done by boys and girls?

Tell how the eyes should be washed. What is it well to do now and then?

What is said of straining the eyes? What of a strong glare of light?

What rule should be followed in reading or study? What of a shade?

When should you cease using the eyes? What should be done if a cinder gets under the lid?

What should be done if that fails?

When must spectacles be used, or an oculist consulted?

How must the feet be kept? Which are the better, cotton or woolen stockings? What of tight shoes? What should be done with the nails?