Dangers of Sun-Bathing

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1933, Page 16

Dangers of Sun-Bathing

The sun-bath craze is overdone, asserts a French physician.

At its best, he says, it was founded upon a misconception. At its worst, it causes , the weak to become weaker and the well to run serious risks.

Young and old alike should be cautious in taking sun-baths, says Dr. Charles Fiessinger, from whose study in "Candide" (Paris) these points are taken:-r-

"To begin with, one should think of one's age. After sixty there should be an end of the folly of exposing one's skin to the sun cult.

"Doubtless, a man of sixty does not think he is old

"If the arteries no longer are endowed with juvenile elasticity, what risks are run of congestions, not to mention various infections!

"Even among the young, accidents result from sun exposures. A young girl, taking her sun-bath, wag smitten with endocarditis and caught a fever. ''The functions of the skin capillaries are interfered with by the stimulation due to extreme light. Those subject to heart difficulties, and all who. are likely to feel the effect of overstrain, tun another risk. The work

of the heart.is made heavier and a tendency to tension is intensified.

"This great tension is sometimes misunderstood by its victim. He" who has passed middle age would do well, before taking a sun-bath, to consult a physician. . . •

"Those whose kidneys are not in the best shape should also be cautious. Skin exhalation is often checked by the drying process of a sun-bath. "Poisons eliminated through the skin will thus'seek an ontlet by other routes. They will go to: the kidneys, thus imposing greater labour upon an organ which may be overworked as it is.

"Some tuberculous subjects have toped for an improvement in their state by means of sun-baths. They ■would be wiser if they did not pin their hopes to this expedient. There are too many complications to fear. The same holds good for the asthmatic. ''The nudist craze may entail a series of crises in health that will continue hopelessly. "Those suffering from skin affections of various kinds must also be on their guard against sun-rays. Victims of eczema especially should avoid sunbaths."