Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-03
From the Boston Travel,
THE COLD BATH.

this country is that whose temperature does
not exceed IS degrees, WE have thought some
remarks in relation to ilseffects and uses, nigh,
moi. al the present time, be unreasonable. The
frs, sensation experienced by person in orGi-
nary health, when immersed in cold water, is
the general one Of cold, which is almost i'm,
media,ely succeeded by as general sensation
Of warmth; the latter rapidly increasing so as
to cause the surrounding wafer 10 feel of an
agreeable temperature. II The bathing have
been Of short duration, and the body be soon
dried and well covered, the agreeable sensation
of warmth continues, the whole body feels re-
freshed and invigorated, and the natural per,
spiralion i, increased. II, however, the i'm
mrrsion be- continued for considerable time,
and the water he much lower than IS degrees,
he sensation Of warmth goes of, and is often
followed by numbness and .shi, crng; the skin
frequently becomes pale aud contracted, and
,hr vessels near the surface ire evidently d.
unfinished in diameter. The person also in.
cIines 10 drowsiness and inactivity; his respi.
ration become quick and irregular; his pulse
slow aud small, and his joints partially rigid
and irllexihle.
The increase VI animal heat, which is so of.
ten noticed on the sudden application of the
cold bath, is probably TO be attributed 10 that
sis, an external impression by which it might
be injured. 1t is undoubtedly this reaction of
the system that enables the body to derive adj
vantage from the application Of The cold bait;
and why're the reaction does not TAXI place at
all, or, only in a small degree, the cold bath has
been injudiciously employed. II may be re.
marked generally, that if after cold BATH he
person feels heavy, inactive or chilly, or finds
himself affected with head ache or tighlness
across the chest, the apple alton has been Of nd
service to him; and possibly, OF some disad>
! vanta,c. The instances where cold bathing
should be avoided, are certainly, when he sys-
TEN has been debIlitated by long continued
pxeriion or disease, WHEN The temperature Of
the body is below the natural standard; or
where profuse perspiration has come on.
From what has been stated, it would seem,
that the cold bath produces three principa!
effects; at frs, sudden and powerful shack
given TO the body, then sudden abstraction Of
heat from the surface; afterwards the reaction
Of the system 10 counteract the shock, and TO
restore the diminished temperature. AS
general remark, therefore, the cold bath may
be said to act as powerful stimulus 10 the
whole system, and 10 this effect, its advantages,
whatever they may be- are to be attributed.
%sf 81 KfSts ."s1 p nsis
ing in cold water when the body is consilera.
ply iiea'sc, is dangerous practice; aud &C.
eordlngIy II IS customary with ref Give per,
sons, who Ind themselves ov.rheatrd, TO wait
I'LL the system has regained its natural icmbc-
nature, before they apply the bath. DR.. Cur
RE, oil Liverpool however, man Of great CT,
cbrity, has proved both from theory and expe.
rIence, that tbs opinion is erroneous, and the
practice unnecessary. He has shown, that
while the body preserves a temperature above
the natural standard of 90 deg. and the strength
is not exhausted by Precipitation and fatigue,
the iu.mt date bse Of the cold bath is not only
safe, but salutary.
he cold bath has sometimes been used in
the cure OF disease, and the principal adranta.
ges TO be derived from il in medical point uf
view, are said 10 be The reduction Of excessive
neat, and the producing SOLITARY FACTION of
The system. In the former way, i, is stated, it
will prove beneficial in ardent fever; the hot
stages OF lntermlttents, and in several irbri!e
diseases; and In The latter il has been employ
ed with advantage in Locked Jaw in convuIsions
and IN several chronic diseases
The best seasons for cold bathing are in
summer and autumn, and unless in cases where
swimming has become habiiual, and is borne
with lmpunity, the lime OF immersion should
wv sAtSeu d lew WlnultS. us aDpICdlION, ny
medical men generally. we believe, i, consider.
Ed inadmIssible where profuse pespIraIion has
come on; where there is an unusual fuinrss OF
blood vessels, where the person is subject TO
nfammatory affections Of the lungs; ana where
rom constitutional weakness or unrouqnera-
Die dr., adj its use may be productive funplca.
SAINT feelings
In this place, we are free 10 give our opin-
on, that great folly and indiscrelon are shown
n the indiscriminate use OF cold bahIpg,
which is so prevalent in this country; and
which, more or less, must be productive Of per.
licious consequences. On the coast, il we
consider The great difference generally existing
'rIween the summer atmosphere and the tenn
rraure OF The sea, with the bleak, exposed
spect Of many frequenied resorts, and the keen
'inds to which the latter is often exposed, we
annot but think, that invalds, delicate consIi'
l'ions, and young children, have often been
'Jured in their health ty an injudicious use OF
lis powerful application.
The later should resort, If possible, 10 some