Besides deficiency and excess in this important secretion of the skin, it is a familiar fact that it has, in some persons, a very unpleasant odor, especially in the arm pits and about the feet. Perhaps this is somewhat most manifest in the African and other tropical races, but much depends on individual constitution and cleanliness. A few persons, with all possible care of their skins, still have a considerable odor, at least in warm weather. For such it is important to bathe frequently, applying good soap and water daily to their armpits and feet; and also to keep their bowels regularly and sufficiently open.

In small-pox, typhus fever, and some other diseases, an odor peculiar to each is given off (in some cases at least) from the body.