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.