Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/95

75&#93; IjUixds, possessing a most exquU file sensation, aicl thus ibriuing the sense of Touch, or feeling. The skin is one of the most im- portant parts of the human frame. On account of its being the seijt of exhalation and absorption, it great- ly contributes to the healthy state of the system j as it is the general outlet of insensible perspiration. Hence the indispensable necessity of paying strift attention to cleauli- 7iess j for the contrary coiuluft vii| prevent the absorption of the viral particles from the atmosphere, and consequently Ij^y the foundation of various inaladies. Thus arise the numerous cruptiqns, which are at present exceedingly prevalent j but which might easil}' be avoided, by a due regard to temperance, as welj as by frequent bathing, or regularly washing the surface of the body. The human skin, especially that of females, in the temperate cli-.' mates, is naturally white and dtli-r cate ; but, as age approaches, ii^ elasticity and activity are, in ^ great measure, impaired : hence the desire of beautifying and im-r proving " that index of health and years" has become universal. So long, indeed, as this desire does not exceed the limits of modera-- tion, it is highly laudable ; but, when the affedation of bcautv in a manner absorbs the mental taculr ties, it becomes a pursuit unworthy of rational agents ; nay, the most improper measures are eagerly adopted, with a view to repel or to conceal the approaching symptom? of decrepitude. — Designirig per- fumers, and empirics, have availed themselves of this " universal pav ^ionj" so that they impose their pernicious compounds on the giddy .(he folly of such practices, till their SKI C75 complexion, constitution, and for- tune, are equally exhausted.— Sec also Cosmetics. SK.IN, in commerce, denotes the hide, or pelt, which is strippe4 oi$ the bodies of animals, in order to be prepared by the tanner, skin- ner, parchmetU-maker, or otht* artisaji, and converted into lea* ther, &c.— Sec Hii>e. In February, 3 Jpy, a patent waf granted to Ivlr. Joseph Watt, fof his improvement' in the art of tauv iug, drcssin,:^, and converting, botll foreign and |i;^glish lamb, goat, and other hkins, into leather, ^c. with- out using either bran, salt, or lime. — It deserve^ to be jemarlici that, according tp the patentee^ statement, skins are dressed, by this new method, in oiie-jijth part oi the time requii'ed by the foiiner processes. Farther, ^ considera- ble i^gviug is made, not only ia workmen's wages, but also in the articles of bran, Ume, salt, and coalj Qonscquently a less capital is XHcefSr- snry. I^nstly, the. quality of the sikins ts thus improved ; their co* lours become brighter; and the gloyes manuf(i6tured of them, arc more durable than such as have been made of skins dressed in thq common way. Another patent we shall notice, is that granted in April, IJQQ, to Mr. James Knowles ; for his in- vention of a method of dressing op preparing skins, ^'c. — ^l"he princi- ple of this contrivance consists in omitting the old processes of liming and drenching, by which the qua-» lity of the leather is not only in- jured, but the various operatiotw are retaidcd.—Thp patentee, there- fore, diredi^ the skins to, be bimply immersed in yater, after tiie haio is removed ; when they are to vuii dcrgo the operation oi Jlcihlng. Next,
 * ^nd undiscerning, who seldom see