Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-07-09
From Dr Ktchiner's Tnvahd oracie, Just re5oubised
 BATHING

 general consists in its power of contracting the solid parts ef the body, which contraction is followed by general reaction, indicated by a salutary glow of the whole surface. Any part of the body which is exposed to the sud den contact of cold water experiences at the same time degree oftension and contraction, ; and becomes narrower and smaller. Not on ly the larger blood-vessels, but also the small capillary tubes, are liable to this contraction and subsequent relaxation. The application of cold, when made to suitable habits aud proper states of constitution, is obviously at tended with an immediate tonic effect, from the general glow which takes place through the whole body, and the accompanying feel ing of renewed strength, which indicate an increase of action of salutary nature in all tthe vessels of the system and this increased vigor of action is test to the p|opriety of the application of cold, and explains the manner in which it is beneficial. It shows that the nerves, blood-vessels, and all the organs of the body are excited to more healthy and energetic performance of their functions; and when this reaction does not take place, the failure is sufficient proof of such a weakness or other state of the body existing, as pre- cludes the further use of the cold bath.
 Cold bathing is of the greatest service in all disorders originating in, connected with sHiipiS WcdkneSS aIu reldhitlOI; Ipdf ie, III debility unaccompanied with any disease of structure, or positive injury in an unimportant Iorgan. In the scrofulous complaints and ge- neral weakness of children, in the debility and langour following fever, intense study, seden- tary occupations, grief, debauchery, it is of ten employed with the best effects; since the debility in these cases directly arises, for the most part, from unhealthy habits, depressing passions, or the long continuance of feversh action. In these cases, the cautious applica- ton of cold proves bracing and salutary but in case of positive injury to rhe structure of some important organ, the employment of cold is alEuays imhroter; is too great shock to the system and the part diseased, and the patient is then benefited only by the use of qoarm bathing. Indeed, in complaints which call for the use of the cold bath, it IS generally an excellent practice for the patient to com mence with tepid bathing at about 90 or 93o, which he may resort to three of four times for the first week or two, and then try the cold bath. This rule should always be observed in cases where the weakness of the patient is extreme, or where the debility has been of | long continuance. Whatever may be the complaint for which | it is resorted to, every cold bath applied to the whole body ought to be of short duration; since all the advantage depends upon the first imhreSsion winch is made on the skin and nerves The head should be always first wet, leither by immersion or by pouring water up Ion it. The immersion ought always to be sud- den, net only because it is less felt than when we eDter the water slowly and timerously but likewise because the effect of the first impress | sion is uniform over the whole body, and the blood in this manner is not propelled from the ] lower to the upper eXtremities- The shower bath possesses great advantage, asit pours the j water suddenly upon the whole body, and thus in the most effectual manner fSlflls the \ rules just specified Gentle exercise ought to precede the cold bath, to produce some re- action of the vascular system on coming out nf it. fer r,eith complete rest nor violent ezs- ercise are proper previous to the use of this reniedy. The morning or forenoon is the most proper time for cold bathing; and while in the water the bather should not remain inactive, but move about, in order to promote the circu- lation fthe blood from the centre of the be- dy to the extremities. After immersion, the whole body ought to be wiped quickly with dry and rough towel, and moderate exercise
 in the open air is proper, and indeed necessa- Try.
 The cold bath is altogether improper in the following cases, viz: in general plethora, or full habit of body, and in the febrile dispo- sition which attends it; in active hemorrhages, or fuxes of blood, that'is, bleedings attended with quick, hard, and full pulse, and other signs of an inflammatory tendency; in every kind of acute inflammation, in diseases of the breast, difficult breathing, and short and dry cough; in gouty and rheumatic paroxysms; in most diseases of the skin; in state of preg- nancy; in palsy ,in indigestion it is also hurtful, at least in the commencement of the treat ment: and whenever it occasions chills, loss of appetite, langor, pain ill the breast or bow els, or violent headaches, it ought in such cases to be discontinued. These unpleasant sensations are surest proofs that the actual state of the patients habit is useful to bear the shock; and that either the reaction of the heart and arteries is too weak to overcome the cold pressure on the surface, or that the de- termination of blood to the head, or some other vital part, is rapidly increased.
 general, the best method of cold bathing is in the sea or river; but there are not few instances where the shower bath merits deci- ded preference, and this is especially the case where there is determination to the head Although the shower bath does not cover tn. surface of the body, so universally as the usual cold baths, yet this circumstance is rather fa vol able than otherwise; for those parts which the water has not touched feel the impression lby sympathy, as much as those in actual com tact with it. Every drop of water becomes partial cold bath in miniature; and thus stronger impression is made than by any other mode ofbathing
 The shower bath, for the following reasons, possesses advantages superior to all others- l. The sudden contact of the water, which in the common bath is only momentary, may here be prolonged, repeated, and modified at pleasure. 9. The head and breast, which are exposed to some inconvenience and dan ger in the common bath, are here effectuaily secured by receiving the shock of the water; tbo bIooI ,e i'm ,elIed to he Iowev