The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.

1718. Perspiration.

The discharge from our bodies by perspiration renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.

1719. Change of Apparel.

Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.

1720. Cause of Illness.

When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed in dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.

1721. Diseases of the Skin.

Most diseases of the skin proceedfrom want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.

1722. Vermin.

To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.

1723. Inducing Cleanliness.

Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.

1724. Cause of Fevers.

One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.

1725. Incubation of Fevers.

These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, eat unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wide, to the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of public attention. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbour affects my health as well as his own.

1726. Avoid Dirt.

If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health should keep at a distance, even from their habitations. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.

1727. Tainted Air.

It is well known that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air.

Everything, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.

1728. Clean Streets Necessary.

For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say that the importance of general cleanliness in this respect does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.

1729. Imitate the Dutch.

It were well if the lower cla.s.ses of the inhabitants of Great Britain would imitate their neighbours the Dutch in their a.s.siduity in cleansing their streets, houses, &c.

1730. No Excuse.

Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in Great Britain is more favourable to cleanliness.

1731. Good Impression.

Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honour of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does anything impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.

1732. Cleanliness in Religion.

It is remarkable that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.

1733. Not Only Ceremonial.

However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would seem more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.

1734. Wash Your Hands.

Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.

1735. Frequent Washing.

Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.

1736. Including the Feet.

Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The perspiration and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their pores. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.

1737. Warm Water After Exposure.