The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-03-16
Bathing.

Bathing.
Dr. Mayo G. Smith of Newburyport whose
exploits in winter bathing We chronicled the
other Gay, communicates some interesting
facts to the Newburyport Herald in relation
to his experience and the benefit of bathing.
He says:
II have bathed by sponge or shower or
plunge for these tw en,y years-for the nine
last years Of my life in the river or open sea.
AS to the utility of bathing, will cite a few
facts. While student for some years at
Oberlin Collese,and surrounded by hundreds
of Young men, found those who bathed reg
ularly enjoyed better health than those who
did not. was for some years at the Gra-
ham house in New York. A portion Of the
boarders bathed, and among others, Hon.
Horace Greely, who on one occasion observ
ed to me that those who reduced bathing to
system rarely suffered from colds or other
sickness, the cold water and good habits of
those who ba,he on principle keeping them
well. AS laborer at the missionary ground
the Five Points, and officiating as chaplain
in one Of the hospitals, have waited on the
sick and those dying of almost every disease
but suffered no injury Thrice have Iserved
as surgeon of ships with an aggregate Of six
hundred souls, with cholera, ship and shore
patients on board, and once as master, with
my first and second officers both of them
exceedingly sick at the same time,
one with small pox, but never have l seen
those who systematically bathed suffer from
disease.
This is the fourth winter have bathed in
the river or sea since my return to the Uni
ted States. have run five miles, divestcd
myself Of clothing, dashed into the river,
swan amid the ice cakes, then dressed ard
ran two miles home. have dived into the
stream from the end of pier seven to fifteen
feet into the channel whose rapid current
and tidal movement ordinarily prevented
freezing-or if frozen have cut the ice, and
, at no time this or the preceding winter have
been sheltered by house or shed, but after
bath, such is the warmth that summe,
, clothing would suffice for covering. The
coolest morning was Is below zero, or II
e below the freezing point. l usually run {
couple of miles, use flesh brush and towels
sometimes stand in the snow, frequently DIR!
D myself in snow storms and cold north-eas
e winds. take for beverage no coffee, tea o.
t spirituous drinks, nor do use tobacco.
never feel cold after leaving the water, neve
n suffer from cold, never have coughs, neve
/ have had disease of any kind, no aches, nj
= pains. My bathing time is by or before sun
rise.
Cold baths should not be used at all times
know of but one rule for guidance. Shoul'
reaction occur after bathing, it is saf
practice-not otherwise. No man can juds
J. for another-every one may for himself L
IL Immediately after the shock, plunge or show
u er. warm glow is difused over the body,
is is beneficial. Again, never bathe when fs
l. tigued. Exercise or circulete the blood b
friction. Never feel timid if there is reaction
Wipe dry"
"a Lest his indiscreet townsmen should a
y rush into the river before breakfast some fin
& cold morning, the editor Of the Herald yer
'e wisely reminds them that "what is one man
g meat is another mans poison" and thereto,
le it is best not to be in hurry to follow D
As Smiths example Of river bathing in winte