The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-06-20
TEae Philosophy OF Bathing.

DIR. Mayo u. Smith, IN the following
article, gives sounder reasons for the prac-
tice Of frequent bathing than any other
writer on this subject we have ever met
with. Indeed, we see nothing for it but
to give the plumber a job forthwith, SO
we may tumble out of bed into a cold
water bath, even though the temperature
be twenty degrees below zero:
There are in the human body 2,700,000
glands and 100000 pores, from 1000 to
5000 to the square inch, one-eighth of an
inch in depth, making twenty-eight miles
of human drainage
Five-eighths of all that is eaten passes
off through these pores, and but one per
cent. of all perspirable matter consists Of
solid substances The change in the mus
cles, tissues and bones, occurs in from one
TO three years, and in the entire body in
from six to seven years. If this old matter
be retained it causes disease-it is real
virus.
Some diseases are relieved almost in
stantly by opening the pores. Diarrhea
is frequently cured; matter from the mu-
cous membrane is expelled through the
skin; tobacco, opium and mercury have
been thus exuded. Whatever through
the skin the body can expel, it can absorb
Hold the end of your finger in spirits of
turpentine, it is absorbed; goes through
the system, ard may be detected by its
odor. Constant handling Of arsenic has
produced death by absorption.
The doctor relates an account of gen
tleman in Barbados, who was i'll the habit
of daily intoxIcation, and had constructed
"A tub, with pillow to accommodate his
head, and when in this state was placed
therein, and the tub was filled with cold
water, in which he reposed for two or
three hours, and would then arise refresh
ed and invigorated. When his wife or
family required him, they would wake
him up by taking out the plug and allow
ing the water to escape, when he would
pleasantly complain of the Gloss of his
bedclothes..'
DR.. Crook, student of Sir Ashley
Cooper, once poisoned dog, which imme-
diately plunged into neishboring river,
and remained for some time with his body
entirely submerged, after which he left
his watery hospital and ran home cured.
Dogs have been repeatedly cured of hy-
drophobia by holding them in water.
Thirst has often been relieved by i'm
mersion, even in salt water, the salt, prob
ably, being excluded during the process
of transudation. Mutton bones, boiled a
long time in soft water, with a slight ad
dition of calcined potash, made fresh every
day, have impaired to the water such
properties that the patient
bathing therein daily, and taking nothing
but few teaspoonfuls Of tea twice a day,
and ore tablespoonful of tonic syrup,
gained fifteen and a half pounds in as many
weeks, simply by absorption.
Perspiration is eliminated from all parts
of the body, and the excretions cutaneous-
ly forced may, from some parts of the
surface, be re-admitted to the circulation,
and if poisonous or injurious, whenever
Nature keeps her side of the interior clean
and soft, and demands an unobstructed
exterior, and exudes to the surface the
refuse matter for removal by bathing and
evaporation. A dry, light powder, mixed
with sweat and oil from the glands, and
dust, clogs upon the pores. AS all parts
of the cuticle have pores, as we'll as the
face and arms, all the body should be
bathed at least one-third as many times as
those are.
On board slave ship the small pox
suddenly broke out. Medical aid was
powerless. Every morning the dead In
great numbers were thrown overheard. In
the midst of terror and anguish, the ne
rroes cried out, s'Let us do as we do in
our own country with the sick" and per-
mission being given, they gently lowered
their sick companions into the sea, letting
them remain few minutes, and then
raised them, and placed them in the sun
light on deck until dried, when the disease
left them and they were cured.
At Charleston, South Carolina, during
an Epidemic, among several northern me-
chancs who had gone there in company,
but one escaped the prevailing fever, and
he alone bathed frequently, and never slept
at night in any of the clothes Worn by
day. The others cast off only the outer
garments, slept in their perspiration, and
died
Cold water is used and prescribed much
more than formerly, though many would
think physician not worth sending for
who should prescribe so simple remedy.
Abernethy's advice to one of his wealthy
patients was, 'sLet your servant bring to
you three or four pailfuls of water and put
it into IA washtub. Take off your clothes,
and get into it, and you II recover" 'This
advice of yours seems like telling me 20