HOT BATHS AND GOLD.

Shannon News, 18 March 1924, Page 3

HOT BATHS AND GOLD.

BOTH GOOD IN THE RIGHT PIiAOE. Civilised mankind may be divided into two classes—into the takers of hot baths and the takers of cold baths —and each class looks pityingly upon, the other, declares “8.E.” in the ‘Daily Mail.’ It "is a great mistake to take, only hot baths or to take only cold baths. By wisely using both the hot and the cold baths we can greatly improve our health and strength.

The cold bath is an excellent tonic to those who take it wisely. It hardens them against colds. Besides, it is invaluable to the constipated. It is recommended to them in the leading textbooks. Cold baths do harm if they leave the body chilled. A short cold bath should be followed by vigorous rubbing with a hard linen; towel and a massage of the body, which gives to the skin a warm glow. Those who can afford the time should have a short run after the cold bath, and they will have a splendid appetite for breakfast.

While cold baths are ordered by physicians in cases of constipation, hot 1 baths are used a 6 a specific for the opposite complaint, especially for colic, Thise who take only hot baths often become physically relaxed. They fall a prey not only to colds and chills but also to constipation.

We have in "our skin about 2,000,000 pores, which ve'ntilate the body and which help in regulating its tempera, ture. They open to the warmth and close down when it is cold, acting like miniature windows. A sudden feeling of cold leads to the rapid contractbwi of these openings, causing a loose skin. In people who soften themselves, with over frequent hot baths the pores lose the- habit of rapid automatic action. They flabbily remain open, alid thus we catch chills. For this reason A hot bath should invariably be followed by a cold shower or a bucketful of cold water emptied over the head and shoulders.

A hot bath, if rarely taken, has a most powerful effect. It is the best means of driving out a chill before it has time to produce a severe cold. Stiffness after strenuous bodily exercise disappears immediately after a hot bath. Of course, a hot bath has •comparatively litle stimulating effect for those who take it every day.