HOW TO SUN-BATHE
GRADUAL PROCESS VIEWS OF LONDON SURGEONS. Sun-bathing will soon be all the vogue. It is not without its dangers, however. In the following article in an English exchange, Sir Herbert Barker, tile famous manipulative surgeon, writes of its dangers and its benefits Sun-bathing has now rightly reached a high level of popularity as a pleasant pastime and powerful promoter of health,” he says. “Each year it claims an ever-increusing number of devotees, and every encouragement should be given to them. J strongly deprecate the imposition of any prudish restrictions. For many years I have spent considerable time in adding to my stock.of personal experience in regard to heliotherapy, and, like others who have 'closely studied this means of bettering one's well-being, 1 am absolutely convinced of its enormous therapeutic vame. To secure the maximum of good from the sun-bath, the benefit-lent rays of the spectrum must not be interfered with by thick or dark attire, or by the interposition of glass. Thus open-air exposure to the solar influences and thin white and scanty apparel ale essential. The light rays are yellow, and the chemical rays are violet, ultra-violet, and blue, and these arc the most useful, because they are powerfully destrucive of bacteria, and at the same time refreshing to the patient. The red and infrared are the heat rays.
“It is the ultra-violet rays which the most readily absorbed by the tissues, and which are therefore ot the greatest value, for they kill not, only surface bacteria, but those more deeply situated. This destraction is brought about by the action of tho sun's rays coagulating the albumen of the microbe protoplasm. “1 seriously impress upon the sun. bather the advisability of proceeding very gradually, and with the greatest caution. In the case of delicate people the surveillance of a medical man should be regarded as absolutely necessary. To begin with, and il the sun is very hot, and there is no wind, a iO-minutes’ exposure lying on the sand or elsewhere is sufficient. If the heat is not excessive, and there is a breeze, a longer period can safely be indulged in. “Each day, as the skin becomes more and more tanned, longer exposures may be made. The pigmentation prevents the absorption of the sometimes dangerous red rays, and yet allows the healing ultr.'-violet rays to pass into the system and do their work.
“Always wear a hat, and if you are subject to sun-glare headache, darkened glasses as well. It is desirable to divide the time of the sun. bath to lying first on the back and then on the face, and lastly on the left and right sides, but too much of the sun in a prone position is not good for the average. Quick walking, easy springy running, and all kinds of exercises of a light kind are excellent, especially those which contract and relax all the muscles of the body.
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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 9
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488HOW TO SUN-BATHE Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 9
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