It is supposed that one could commit suicide by completely gilding or varnishing the body, thus eliminating the excretory functions of the skin.

There is an old story of an infant who was gilded to appear at a Papal ceremony who died shortly afterward from the suppression of the skin-function.

The fact is one well established among animals, but after a full series of actual experiments, Tecontjeff of St.

Petersburg concludes that in this respect man differs from animals.

This authority states that in man no tangible risk is entailed by this process, at least for any length of time required for therapeutic purposes.