The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

not176 THE HEALTH BULLETIN.WHEN AND HOW TO BATHEIf you want health, a clear complexion,a system well toned, you shouldmake it an invariable rule to takesome kind of a bath not fewer than365 times a year.The temperature of the bath?Thatdepends. If you are of a vigorousconstitution—or wish to be—I wouldadvise a cold water bath, provided youhave enough vitality for the necessaryreaction; if not, begin with lukewarmwater, and have it less warm eachday, as the body gradually becomesaccustomed to the change. The watershould be of a temperature to suittV body rather than the mind.A certain Chicago doctor claims thatbathing of any kind, especially withsoap, is detrimental. He further claimsthat consumption may be cured andalso prevented by non-bathing. Thereare thousands of people (lazy people)who will rise up and call that doctorblessed. His legitimate sphere isamong the "Weary Willies."Bathing, daily bathing, is necessaryto obtain the very best bodily conditions.Health requires that the foureliminating agents of the body (lungs,kidneys, bowels, skin) should be keptnormally active. Deep breathing isessential to the first; water, Inside andoutside, for the three remainingagents.A cold bath is always stimulating,and has no detrimental reaction forone who is sufficiently robust to takeit.If you are obliged to exercise afterbathing for the purpose of gettingwarm, it is a sure indication that yourvitality is too low for such a bath.This applies with equal force to thematter of dressing immediately afterbathing.When the cold water comes in contactwith the skin, the superficialblood vessels contract, the blood isdriven to the internal organs, and thet mperatu-e there is raised, while thetemperature at the surface is temporarilylowered. Then when the reactiontakes place(a healthful reaction),the skin vessels dilate, the blood rushesback to them, and the bather experiencesa pleasant glow overthe entirebody. A cold water bath in a coldroom is a positive luxury—for onewhose vitality is high.A hot water bath, as a rule, shouldbe avoided, especially by those thatare nervous. While it is a powerfulstimulant of the nervous and vascularsystem, it is usually followed withstrong reaction. The fibrous ends ofthe nerves, extending over the surfaceof the body, are thrown into a state ofexcitement, and so-called nervous leakagefollows. Should you insist upontaking a hot water bath, it should betaken immediately before retiring. Iftaken during the day, do•fail tofollow it with a plunge or, at least, adash of cold water. Be neither overwarmnor chilled when passing fromthe bath to the outer air. A hot waterbath being a reducer, it may be desiredby the very obese, but the thin,spare person should avoid it.A warm water or tepid bath ishighly recommended for those thatcan not take a cold bath. The effectis soothing, the blood flowing into therelaxed superficial vessels of the skin,and thereby increasing its functions.As heat facilitates the bodily functions,a warm bath will often do moreto freshen a fatigued person than silonger time spent in sleep.If the bathbe only moderately warm (tepid) iiacts as a sedative to the nervous system.Those who take the cold bathdaily should take a warm bath, withsoap, at least once a week, for thesake of cleanliness. Idaho State Boardof Health.