MH page 276

Scrupulous cleanliness is essential to both physical and mental health. Impurities are constantly thrown off from the body through the skin. Its millions of pores are quickly clogged unless kept clean by frequent bathing, and the impurities which should pass off through the skin become an additional burden to the other eliminating organs.

Scrupulous cleanliness and frequent bathing are essential to rid the body of skin impurities and protect eliminating organs. The text makes physiological assertions regarding skin pores, elimination of body impurities, and burdens on organs.

Most persons would receive benefit from a cool or tepid bath every day, morning or evening. Instead of increasing the liability to take cold, a bath, properly taken, fortifies against cold, because it improves the circulation; the blood is brought to the surface, and a more easy and regular flow is obtained. The mind and the body are alike invigorated. The muscles become more flexible, the intellect is made brighter. The bath is a soother of the nerves. Bathing helps the bowels, the stomach, and the liver, giving health and energy to each, and it promotes digestion.

Daily cool or tepid baths improve circulation, invigorate mind and body, soothe nerves, and aid digestion. The text asserts specific physiological and mental benefits resulting from regular bathing.

It is important also that the clothing be kept clean. The garments worn absorb the waste matter that passes off through the pores; if they are not frequently changed and washed, the impurities will be reabsorbed.

Clothing should be kept clean and frequently changed to prevent the reabsorption of bodily wastes passing through the pores. The text asserts a specific physiological mechanism regarding garments absorbing waste matter and impurities being reabsorbed if not washed.

Every form of uncleanliness tends to disease. Death-producing germs abound in dark, neglected corners, in decaying refuse, in dampness and mold and must. No waste vegetables or heaps of fallen leaves should be allowed to remain near the house to decay and poison the air. Nothing unclean or decaying should be tolerated within the home. In towns or cities regarded perfectly healthful, many an epidemic of fever has been traced to decaying matter about the dwelling of some careless householder.

Uncleanliness, decaying refuse, dampness, and mold promote disease and epidemics. Contains direct empirical claims about environmental sanitation, germs, and the causes of fever epidemics.

Perfect cleanliness, plenty of sunlight, careful attention to sanitation in every detail of the home life, are essential to freedom from disease and to the cheerfulness and vigor of the inmates of the home.

Perfect cleanliness, sunlight, and careful sanitation are essential to preventing disease and maintaining vigor. Asserts a direct relationship between environmental factors like sunlight and sanitation and freedom from disease.