Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-04-20
From the Springfield Republican
WAITED A. NFrer,rftrNrrs

The influence Of personal cleanliness on the
health is pretty generally unders sood, and yet
we suppose no duty is more neglected than
regular bathing, often from want of conven-
fences for it. We have no doubt that tho
heroic treatment by cold water, where there
is vital power enough in tho system to give
the proper reaction, acts very efficiently for
the expulsion Of disease and the general in
vigoration Of tho body. II is mentioned in
some Of the papers that J. +. Bronson Of
Russell, finding his health declining, com
menced bathing in the open air in January
last, and has bathcd every morning since in
the water of some stream, often cutting through
the ice TO get at il, and his health has improv-
ed under this rigorous treatment II does
not follow from tfis instance that everybody
would find this ultra application of the cold
water theory beneficial. 1t would be pretty
certainly fatal to some, and probably danger
Gus to the majority But there are none so
feeble that they cannot endure regular bath
ing if not with positively cold water, then
with that which Is blood warm, reducing the
temperature as the body becomes accustomed
to it, The true tonic effect. however, is only
produced by cold water. A warm bath sim
ply cleanses the skin, and is encrvating rather
than invigorating good illustrative anec-
dtoe is told Of the celebrated DIR. Abcrnethy
Of England. His prescription to q wealthy
patient was-'Let your servant bring to you
three or four pals Of water and put it into
wash-tub; take off your clothes, get into it,
and from head to foot rub yourself well with
IL. and you recover This advice of yours
seems very much like telling me to wash my
self said the patient We'll, said Aborne-
thy, it is open to that objection
Experience has taught us that water is
prompt and certain remedy for all febrile
complaints in children. And it has this great
advantage over medicine that it leaves no un-
pleasant and painful effects behind. An ordi-
nary fever in a child may sometimes be remov-
ed by single bath in cold water If it is
moro obstinate, packing in the wet sheet, or
simple wet bandage about the body, changed
as often as it becomes hot and plenty of cold
water taken internally will soon reduce the
superfuous heat, and leave the little ono to
refresh itself with quiet sleep. The hydropa-
thists say that the same means are Just as
eiectual upon adults, only that they are slow
or in their operation.
1t is we'll understood that for those going
from a temperate to hot climate the best
preventive Of the acclmating fever is frequent
bathing, which keeps the skin clean and ac-
tive, so that the distractions which produce
fever are thrown off Even so violent dis
case as smallpox is successfully treated with
cold water, and it is stated that hydrophobia
has been cured by it. For ft Of drunken
ness the safest remedy is to put the victim in
bath and let him soak till he is sober 1t
is told of an Englishman in the Vest Indies,
much given to bacchanalian pleasures, that he
could get thoroughly drunk three times in
day, his negro servant taking each time to
pond and holding him in the water till he was
sobered, This application Of water is of no
practical use however, because men in their
sober senses don't get drunk at all in this age
Of total abstinence societies and prohibtory
liquor laws We do not doubt that there are
various safe and salutary applications of water
as a medicine. 1t may not cure ali diseases
or be beneficial in all cases, but beyond ques-
ton regular bathing in cold water is a pow
erful preventive of disease, by keeping the
skin in good working order and elevating the
tone of the whole system The practice ought
to be general.