PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3099, 23 January 1909, Page 3

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

(By TC. 0. JARULTT, Plmu-nl CllltUl'lKl). THE SKIN AND KIDNEYS, AND THE VALUE OF BATHING. The skin is the most extensive organ of the Inmnn body. The natural discharge of perspiration is a salutary emanation, which frees the frame from acrid and impure humours—a freedo'm which, as everyone shouiJ kn::>w, is so essential to good health. The skin, which looks passive, is really always working hard, riddirg the body of poisons, which if not removed are dangerous 'to life. The skin expels these poisons, in the form of perspiration, and though not always visible, perspiration oozes from us all the time. If a man's pores wer° closed with an airtight solution, he would die in a very short space of time. The skin, lungs, liver and kidneys, are the organs upon which we are dependent for the extraction of poisonous matters from the system. In every instant of our lives our bloxl is being constantly contaminated by various poisons created by the wear and tear of our body tissues. These poisons must be expelled from the system by natural means as fast as they are produced, or we must suffer from disease. Each ■; movement that we make, each breath we draw, necessitates waste of tissue; and the tissue wasted or used up is converted into uric acid and other poisons. Unless the liver and kidneys are in a fit state to thoroughly perform their task, the poisons which it is their particular duty to make and extract, will remain in the system; and it is only when we begin to feel by a sensation of pain, such as sick headaches, billiousness, rheumatism, backache, general debility, etc., that we know there is something wrong with these organs. Nature's way of keeping these organs in a fit state to thoroughly perform their functions is by rational exercise and bathing, externally and internally. To this end any or all of the exercises previously illustrated in this column of the Age may be used with distinct and far-reaching benefit, combined with the cold tepid and hot baths. My advice has often been asked in regard to bathing. "Is it actually necessary to take the cold bath. I could not stand it these cold, frosty mornings? Ugh! I would never get warm all day. I.always Use warm, water when I bath." In reply to those who feel the same antipathy toward the cold bath, I must say that personally I enjoy it at all seasons of the year. The plan I follow is as follows: —Immediately after exercise, which consists of a few breathing and tensing movements, and sometimes skipping or ball punching, as soon as breathing has become normal, I splash the water well over the head, chest and shoulders; then a quick duck into the bath, roll over and over, two or three times, drying off as quickly as possible. Then, with another towel rub myself thoroughly till I am all aglow. This, I think, is the very finest way to brace one up in the day's routine. Another substitute is to rub quickly all over with a wet towel, after splashing as above mentioned, I follow with the dry towel, after which rub briskly. This is a stimu-, lating tonic for skin and nerve.-). Everyone, of course, cannot take a bath of this description, but everyone can indulge in a bath more or less tepid, and indulge in a gcod towelling afterwards. For cleansing purposes, a warm bath should be indulged in once a week; not merely warm, but hot, using a good soap, gradually cooling off, and finishing with a cold douclu, which will prevent catching a cold. When one is thoroughly tired, and weary, a hot bath before going to bed is relaxing and soothing, but should not be resorted to daily, as one begins to bok to it as a stimulant much the same way as one may go to excess with alcohol or other stimulants, and continuous hot bathing is, in my opinion, weakening. I am a firm believer in the copious drinking of cold water. If used frequently the result will be found most beneficial. HEALTH VALUE OF PURE WATER. ! ) People do not drink enough water to keep healthy. The numerous cases \of stomach troubles, kidney and J bladder diseases, and rheumatism are mainly due to the fact that the drinking of water, nature's greatest medicine, has been neglected. You must make the kidneys do their own work; they are the filters of the blood. They must be made to strain out of the blood the waste matter and acids that cause rheumatism; the urine must bo neutralised so that it will no longer be a source of irritation to the Lladder, and, mo«t of all, you must keep these acids from forming in the stomach. This is largely the cause of stomach troubla, I aid poor digestion. Drinking plentifully of pure water provides the natural acid for cleansing these organs upon which our health so much depends.