Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-06-22
BATHING.

bd hIJfG.
The extreme heat of the weather
lately renders the bath as much an
article of absolute necessity with us as
1t is in Asia or Africa The following
article, from 7egg's Book of Utility, is
seasona5le and may be serviceable -
The ancient Greeks, Romans and Ger
mans, as well as the Pe~slans, Turks, and
especially the modern Egyptians, enjoy
The comforts and luxuries procured by
bathing, in degree of which we can
scarcely form an adequate conception.
From Mr.. Savary's" Letters on Egypt
it appears that bathing is employed by
those voluptuaries, not only for procur-
ing the most delightful sensations, and
removing that irksomeness and apathy
which is the general conc of an
idle or. sensual life, but likewise with a
view 10 prevent or cure rheumatisms,
catarrhs, or such cutaneous diseases as
their climate produces, an atmosphere
loaded with humid and impure exhala-
tons, and highly unfavorable to insensi-
BILE perspiration. There are no people
on earth who are less troubled with
asthmatic complaints than the Egyp-
tians; and few nations so passionateiy
fond Of bathing.
Though the ancients could less dis
pense with the use Of the bath, on ac-
count Of the frequency. Of their athletic
exercises, as we'll as from the want Of
linen, which was then much less in use
than at the present, yet, in our times. it
would be OF great service if the use of
baths we're more general and frequent.
and this beneficial practice not confined
to particular places or seasons, as mere
matter of fashion. Considered as spe-
cies of universal domestic remedy, as
one which forms the basis of cleanli-
ness, bathing, in its different forms, may
be pronounced one Of the most extern
sive and beneficial restorers of health
and vigor.
Cola Baths are those Of a temperature
varying from the 33d to the 56ih degree
of Farenheit's thermometer. The gen
eral properties of the cold bath consists
in its power of contracting the animal
fibres, while il dissipate the caloric Cor
matter of heat) that exists between
their interstices, and thus effects great
er approximation of the particles, which
were before dila:ed aud relaxed by heat.
That such is the natural influence OF
cold cannot be doubted and hence this
species of bath, by its powerful action
on the whole system, is one of the most
important medicinal remedies presented
by the hand, and, as it were, supplied
by the very bosom Of nature.
The superior advantages of cold bath
ing over all internal corroborants, con-
sisls chiefly in its immediate saIutary &C
ton on the solids, without the interyen-
ton Of the organs of digestion and nutri-
ton without having to perform a pas
sage through the numerous channels,
before it can exert it's efficacy. For
this obvious reason il is peculiarly adapt
ed to those const tutions which, though
robust, and apparently healthy, are liza
BILE to nervous, hysteric, hypochondriac-
al, and paralytic affections, as well as to
frequent attacks of flatulency and conse-
quently indigestion.
Cool Baths may be called those which
are Of temperature between the 56th
and 18th degree Of FahreDheit's scale.
They are of great service in all the cas-
es where cold bathing has been recon-
menced, and require nearly similar pre-
cautions. As their Influence however,
on first entering them, is less violent,
though their subsequent effect may be
attended with equal advantages, ii fol-
lows that even persons of a more deli
cate organization may resort 10 them
with greater safety.
With respect to rules for cool bathing
we shall only remark that, notwithstand-
ing its effects are less perceptible while
the body continues in The water, il is ne.
cessary that the bather on coming out Of
it should be wiped dry with the greatest
expedition, to prevent catarrhal affec.
tons.
Warn, Baths are such as have tenn
peratnre above the 10th, and not ex-
ce eding the 96th or 93th degree Of the
thermometer before mentioned. There
are various springs TO which Nature
has given this temperature, the most
beneficial TO the human body. But
whether the tepid bath of this descrip-
ton be natural or artificial, it is equally
conducive to the restoration Of energy,
though its effects have. till lately, been
little understood. Physicians, as well
as patients, have hitherto been too gen.
lerally accustomed to consider a warm
bath as weakening the body, and used
only for the removal Of certain diseases,
especially those Of the skin. Experi-