The Cold Bath.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 September 1914, Page 8

The Cold Bath.

ITS GLOW OF REACTION

If you do not feel warm after a cold bath, you had better not take it, for it is doing you no good. We do not take cold baths for \he sake of cleanliness ; cold water may wash off the superficial dirt, but it does not extract the dirt from the pores. We plunge into cold water solely for its invigorating effect and unless we get this effect from it we had better seek the invigoration in some other way. Cold water applied suddenly drives the blood from the skin by constricting the capillaries. It also administers a light shock to the nerves, which has an awakening effect upon all the muscles of the body. The capillaries being closed, the resistance of the blood to the heart pressure is greater. The heart responds to this resistance by greater effort ; it beats more rapidly and with stronger force. The blood surges through the body more swiftly and forces its way through the capillaries as soon as the cold that has closed them is withdrawn. This causes the glow of reaction after the cold bath. When this re-action follows immediately the bath is stimulating ;it has clone you good and has exercised the system in resistance to chill. If you remain shivery and pale for an hour after the bath, do not take it cold. It is a mistake to get into a bath by standing in the cold water and hesitating before taking the plunge, for this drives the blood up towards the head, and is likely to cause congestion of the blood-vessels of the throat. The best way is to stand in an empty bath and turn on the shower, so that the cold water will strike the head and shoulders first. If there be no shower bath souse the head and neck first with a sponge or duck the head under water, then get in and plunge the whole body under as quickly as possible. Another mistake is to stay in too long. Generally speaking, one good plunge is enough. Let all soaping be done before entering the bath, preferably with hot soap suds. Of course in summer time one may remain in as long as the cold water feels really pleasant. After the hath it is well to rub the skin briskly with rough towels to help in the return of the surface cir- / dilation. Vigorous exercise is also good after the bath.