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The Retirees' Newsletter

The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada

Vol VIII, No. 1, February 1998

Another way of distributing surplus funds is to give all current active members of the plan a contribution holiday. This means, in effect, that the surplus funds are being used to pay the contributions of the active members. More precisely, surplus funds are transferred to the Money Purchase accounts of the active members. This method raises the question of fairness, namely, if surplus funds are transferred to the Money Purchase accounts of active members, then why not, on an equal basis, to the Money Purchase accounts of all members, both active and retired, since they both belong to the same Pension Plan?

As a word of caution, it must be stated that we should not expect surplus to arise in all years. Only a fortunate combination of circumstances leads to the existence of a surplus and we should not be deluded into thinking they arise as matter of course.

FEATURE COLUMN

Health Tips

By Joseph E.J. Habowsky

The Human Skin

It has a greater total mass than any other organ in the body. Based on the relative thickness of its outer layer (keratin), skin is classified as thick (palms of hand, sole of foot) and thin (remainder of the body).

The skin has many functions; to mention a few: it is an effective barrier against pathogenic organisms, regulates body temperature by secreting sweat from sweat glands, makes vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light, it contains nerve endings sensitive to touch, pressure, heat, cold and pain. Without resorting to exploratory procedures, the skin's appearance can often indicate to the physician the existence of a general disease just as accurately as that of the internal organs. Because skin is the most exposed part of the body, it is very susceptible to various kinds of assaults.

Probably the Finns were the first to empirically recognize the health benefits of steam heat, which is known as a steam bath or sauna (dry heat). The secret here is that the high heat (100-120 degrees Fahrenheit) creates an artificially induced fever causing extensive perspiration or sweat. This heat combats the growth of viruses, bacteria but equally or more importantly, the skin functions as an auxiliary organ to the kidneys and liver. Sweat is a clear liquid, possesses a characteristic odour and contains sodium chloride, cholesterol, fats, fatty acids (the building elements of fat), albumin, urea (a nitrogenous waste found in urine) and fat soluble toxins. Thus the steam bath or sauna can prolong the functional life of kidney cells, the major organ of waste removal in the human body and liver cells, the major organ in detoxification of toxic substances.

Other benefits can be attributed to the heat exposure, it acts as an relaxant, can aid in losing weight and cleans the pores of the skin, the minute openings of sweat glands, unsurpassed by soap or other cleansing agents.

WARNING: Check with your physician before using the sauna or steam bath and obtain his approval with respect to your heart condition, respiratory system, blood pressure or overall physical fitness.

Joseph Habowsky taught and did research in the Department of Biological Sciences, concentrating on cytology(cells), and electron microscopy on animal and human cells. In addition to structure, his teaching also related to cellular functions.

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