Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-07-21

The whole body should be washed
with water at least once day. This is
a necessity which is epjoined upon every
human being by the peculiar structure
and functions Of his skin. Keep as free
as we may from all external sources of
dirt, there will be daily accumulation
Of it on the surface of the body requiring
removal. a''ls
The skin itself. in the performance of
its natural functions, throws off guam
tity of impurities, which, if not washed
away almost as soon as deposited, will
not only obstruct the healthy action of
the integument, bnt of all other parts of
the body. This natural dirt. which is,
however, none the less dirt Of the dirti-
estkind, is composed of the cast-off scales,
the oily secretions, and varisns matters
of the perspiration of the skin. These, if
allowed to remain, become massed to-
gether, and hardened into a crust filth,
which clogs the pores, and hinders the
performance of their functions, SO impor-
tant to health and life.: IF the skin thus
fails, from want of cleanliness, to per-
form its duties, the internal organs are
forced to. assume them, and being over
tasked, become weakened and diseased
from the excess of labor. Consumption
and dyspepsia, with various other dis
eases of the lungs, liver and stomach, are
the frequent results. The skin itself,
too, becomes, from the irritation. of its ac-
cumulated dirt, the seat of ugly erup-
tions, and a ready recipient of every in
fectious and contagious disorder. 81
The Obvious skin purifier is water:
and this, we repeat, should be applied to
allsparts of the body at least once in
every twenty four hours. 1t is astonish-
ing how little Of it is required to do the
necessary washing Of the habitually
cleanly. Miss Nightingale says that no
one who can command a tea-cup of cold
water has any excuse for neglecting to
bathe the whole person daily. z5rag
The moistened sponge, the bathing
tub, and the shower bath, are the ordi-
nary modes of performing the daily alb
luton. In beginning the practice the
water should be tepid, but when once
we'll established it may be of the lowest
temperature. The great point in bath
ing is to make sure of the reaction; that
iss a glow of warmth Immediately fol-
lowing the chill produced by the contact
of cold water with the surface of the
body. This reaction is felt, generally,
by every vigorous person, and may be
secured by the weakly if proper precau-
tions are taken. No psrson should take
his bath Immediately after full meal;
and it especially behooves the feeble to
obey this rule, whose diminished nerv-
Gus power will be so taken up with the
labor of digestion that there will be no
force to spare for any fresh effort. Those
who are not strong had better confne
themselves to the wet sponge, as by this
the ablution Of the body can be perform
ed by degrees, and the intensity of the
cold shock proportionately diminished.
There should be always two towels
used. one for the drying, and the other,
of coarser texture, for the rubbing of
the body. To this may be added, in
cases of excessive torpidity, the hair
glove or flesh brush. Rapidity of action
is of great moment. The water, what
ever may be the mode of using it, should
be briskly applied. and the drying, rub
bling and all other subsequent processes,
be performed with equal dispatch. The
apartment where the bath is taken
should be of warm temperature, and
the under-clothing to be put on ought to
be previously heated at the fire. The
feeblest, with such precautions. can take
their cold baths in the coolest weather.
The shower-bath ought always to be
adapted to the sensations of the bather;
the fall and temperature of the water
should be no greater and lower than is
agreeable. Any one who finds it uncom-
Portable must not persist in it with the
idea that,however painful its application,
it may be useful. The shower-bath. tenn
pered to suit the sensations, may always
be taken with advantage, except by per-
sons in advanced life with an evident
tendency to fullness Of the head.
Sea. bathing has the especial advantage