mitted into the room.

2d. When we have been visiting or attending on a sick person, it is
judicious to change the apparel worn in the sick-room, and also give
the skin a thorough bathing. The outside garments, also, should be
aired, as poisonous matter may have penetrated the meshes of the
clothing.

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404-413. _Give the hygiene of the lymphatic vessels._ 404. What is
said respecting the action of the lymphatic vessels? 405. What
influences the function of these vessels? What does observation show?
406. Why should the air of the sick-room be dry? What suggestion when
we have been visiting or attending on the sick?

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407. _The stomach should be supplied with food of a nutrient and
digestible character, in proper quantities, and at stated periods._
The chyle formed from the food stimulates the lacteals to activity,
which activity is attended with an inactive state of the lymphatics of
the skin and lungs. Thus due attention should be given to the food of
the attendants on the sick, and the members of the family. Before
visiting a sick person it is judicious to take a moderate amount of
nutritious food.

_Observation._ Many individuals, to prevent contracting disease that
may be communicated from one person to another, use tobacco, either
chewed or smoked; and sometimes alcohol, with decoctions of bitter
herbs. These substances do not diminish, but tend to increase, the
activity of the lymphatics. Thus they make use of the means by which
the poisonous matter formed in the system of the diseased person, may
be more readily conveyed into their own.

408. _The skin and clothing, as well as the bed-linen, should be
frequently cleansed._ This will remove the poisonous matter that may
be deposited upon the skin and garments, which, if suffered to remain,
might be conveyed into the system by the action of the lymphatics.
This points also to a frequent change of the wearing apparel, as well
as the coverings of the bed. In visiting the unhealthy districts of
the South and West, the liability of contracting disease is much
lessened by taking a supply of food at proper periods, keeping the
skin and clothing in a clean state, the room well ventilated, and
avoiding the damp chills of evening.

409. _Absorption by the skin is most vigorous when the cuticle is
removed by vesication, or blistering._ Then external applications are
brought into immediate contact with the orific