BATHING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3222, 27 October 1881, Page 3

BATHING.

It is important to recognise that the only virtues of water as used by the bather are two, namely, its value as a cleansing agent, and as a surface stimulant. In this last capacity it simply acts as a medium affecting the temperature of the part to which it is applied, or which is immersed in ifc. Right views of fact in reference to this matter are important, because there can be no question that some persons overrate tho uses of cold water, and run considerable risks in their pursuit of them. Every beneficial action that can be exerted by a bath is secured by 'simply dipping in the sea, or a very moderate affusion of cold water. Except in cases of high fever, when it is desired to reduce the heat of the body by prolonged contact with cold, a bath of any considerable duration is likely to be injurious. Then again, it is necessary to recognise the risk of suddenly driving the blood from the surface in upon the organs. • The ' plunge,' or * dip,' or ' shower,' or ' douche,' is intended to produce a momentary depression of the temperature of the surface in the hope of occasioning a reaction which will bring the blood back to the surface with increased vigor, and almost instantly. If this return does not take place—if, in a word, redness of the skin is not a very rapid consequence of the immerBion —it is impossible that the bath can have been useful, and in nine cases out of ten, when the surface is left white or cold ifc does harm. . The measure of value is the redness which ensues promptly after the bath, and this reaction should be produced without the aid of much friction, or the bath is not worth taking. The rubbing employed to recover tbe circulation lost by the bath would probably have done more good without it. Another effect of the bath when it acts properly is to stimulate the nervous system through the vast series of the terminal fibres which are distributed in the skin. In this way, also, the action must be very rapid, or it is not efficacious. Unless the vigor or energy is quickly called out, the agent is useless ; and if it produces ' either drowsiness or depression ifc acts mischievously, and lowers the power ifc is intended to stimulate and augment. Bathers should bear these facts in mind, and be warned by them not to trifle with an agency which if it is not of value is worse than useless, and can scarcely fail to do harm. — Lancet.