HOW TO SUN BATHE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 214, 29 November 1927, Page 12

HOW TO SUN BATHE

GRADUAL PROCESS VIEWS OF LONDON SURGEON The sun-bathing season ia at its height. Every beach within reach of Auckland City has its quota each weekend, and pale faces and limbs are gradually turning to bronze. Sun-bathing is not without its dangers. During the last week-end several unfortunate people overdid it, and were confined to their beds with blistered limbs. In the follow.ng article in an English exchange, Sir Herbert Barker, the famous manipulative surgeon, writes of its dangers and its benefits: 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-increasing number of devotees, and every encouragement should be given to them. I 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 jneans of bettering one's well-being, I am absolutely convinced of its enormous therapeutic value. To secure the maximum of good from the sunbath, the beneficient rays of the spectrum must not be interfered witli 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 are essential. The light rays are yellow, and the chemical rays are violet, ultraviolet. and blue, and these are the most useful, because they are powerfully destructive of bacteria, and al the same

time refreshing to the patient. The red and infra-red are the heat rays. “It is the ultra-violet rays which are the most readily absorbed by the tissues, and which are therefore of the greatest value, for they kill not only surface bacteria, but those more deeply situated. This destruction is brought about by the action of the sun’s rays coagulating the albumen of the microbic protoplasm. “I seriously impress upon the sunbather 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 if the sun is very hot, and there is no wind, a. 10-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 ultra-violet rays to pass into the system and do their beneficent 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 person. 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.