The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-02-06
essential 10 health and long life, we have the

essential 10 health and long life, we have the
most abundant proof.
The extent and magni6cence OF the Ro-
man Baths almost exceed belief. Eight
hundred and fifty public baths were in daily
operation in Rome. The citizens consider
ed the bath moi only luxury, but strictly
essential 10 their comfort and health; and we
con conceive Of The correctness Of their opIn-
ion when we are told that in ancient Rome,
during period ofesrtainly not less than five
hundred years, no such profession existed as
that oil the physician, or any class oil persons
practising The curative art.
TIE modus operandi for an abluion, or
sponge bath, is thus given Icy DR.. Shew:-
The hands, or Il sponge. or cloth, Is dipped
iuio vessel containing cold wafer placed
upon chair. The sponge or cloth Is 10 he
gently expressed, and then conveyed for
some few minutes rapidly over the whole
surface OF the body then The same operation
is to be performed with dry cloths, brushes,
&c. until ihesurlace Is entirely dry" The
best time for these additions is in the morn
ing. They are 10 be performed immediate
ly after rising from bed, when The tempera-
ture Of the body is raised by the heat Of the
bed. The sudden change tayors the reac-
ton which ensues, and exciles the skin, rem
dered more sensitive by the perspiration do
ring The night, TO renewed activity.
Having praclised this mode oil bathing fo-
four years, under opposing circumstances, al
home and abroad, III summer and winter, OIL
ten breaking the ice 10 get at The heal'hiul
element. we are prepared 10 speak III IT'S Ia
yor. This mode is preferable TO showerlng.
IL requires about five minutes time for lis
performance. ltkeeps the skin in a healthy
condition, which is Of the first Importance 10
the invalid, and sieels il against armospher
ic changes, SO that lie scarcely need fear ev-
er taking cold.
The drinking Of soft pure water is an i'm
portani adjunct in The cure Of dyspepsia.
Water, when Of proper purity, and taken at
proper times, with appropriate exercise, will
be found 10 produce beautifully tonic effect
upon the stomach and bowels, and often ex-
erls an important influence upon he blood,
in freeing il from various irritating substan-
ces which il may contain. The quantity
usually directed by Priessnitz, is from eight
to twelve tumblers daily. As 10 the time of
drinking, as a general rule, most, he says,
should be taken before breskiast, less before
dinner. and least before supper; az much
drinking late in The day might disturb the
sleep Ii should be taken as general thing,
only after digestion, or when the stomach is
empty. The less The quantity taken al meals
the better will be the digestion, as gener al
rule.* The fever generally attendant upon
dyspep;ic stomach is sure 10 find AN anti
dole 10 the cooling beverage taken before
| breakfast, and tonic effect will ensue 10 the
! feeble organ. No sense Of chilliuass should
be allowed, either alter bathing or drinking.
Active exercise should be resorted 10 as a
preventive.
Warm drinks should be strictly avoided
Tea and coffee are not merely innOxious, but
positively injurious. They are narcotic sub
stances, and will produce delirum tremens
quite az soon as ardent spirits, If they arc
used 10 the same excess. They impair the
| functional powers, all the assimilaiing ,circu-
lating, and other orgars concerned in The
general Office Of nutriIion.-cause more oil
less ofunhealthy irriIabiliry in the nerves o.
organic lile-debiltate the brain-diminisl
the muscular power-in every respect pre-
dispose the body 10 disease-always agra
vale disease when induced-and equally
multiply the chances lorconfrmed bad health
There are, al the present lime, more than ter
million lbs. of Tea. and fifty million lbs
of Coffee, consumed in the United States an
nually, and the quantity is rapidly Increasing
This being the case. we are at no loss to &C
count for the vast difference existing between
Us AMI The ancient Romans, who. for five cen
iuries at least, found no necessity for dis
,inct medical profession; whilst the Amer
can people employ from one TO five in every
Town, upon a constant ride day and night, Il
counteract the mischevous effects cousc
quent upoa violation of the physical law,
I which should govern them in their diet ant
regimen
lfany one now suffering from Dyspepsia
shall receive a hint iron. the foregoing
which may tend 10 bis relief, our object II
accomplished. S. &. +.
Cornwall, Jan 10Th, lS49.