The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-08-07
USEFUL DEPARTMENT..
Rufcs for Bathing.

/. Baths should not be taken within at
least one hour before eating, nor within two
hours after; and not within two hours be-
fore, and three hours after, is still better.
The reason for this is, that in bathing,
the blood is brought to the surface in large
quantities, and circulates freely in the cap
~illaries of the skin, being drawn away from
internal organs and generally diffused
through the whole body, and the more
freely this external circulation and warmth
Is kept up, the more refreshing and invigo-
rating the bath becomes, and the greater
the benefit derived from it; whereas, when
the stomach has been recently supplied
with food, the blood is diverted from the
external circulation to the digestive organs
TO supply the secretions and juices necessa-
~ to carry on the digestive process.
From these facts; it will be evident that
if the food be taken into the stomach too
soon after o. bath the blood is dir ected to
the stomach before a full reaction has taken
place, thus interfering with its beneficial
effects /: while, IN the other hand, if the
bath be taken too soon after a meal, the
blood is diverted from the digestive organs
before digestion is completed, and thus a
very important function of the body is in
terfered with. '}~s r'#-tsH
-3= In cases of active congestion or infiam.
nation, in fevers, or in severe pain and dis
tress, it may be necessary to make water
applications irrespective of this rule.
g 2. The head and face should be thor
6ughly bathed at the commencement of ev-
cry bath. This will prevent the rushing of
blood to the head and ward off unpleasant
sensations. -.#"ts.,. .
5. A. bath should never be taken when
the body is exhausted, Or too greatly ia
tigued by exercise, as q person in such a
condition would not be likely to secure the
proper reaction and warmth. Moderate
exercise before q bath is usually beneficial,
a comfortable degree Of warmth, which is
always desirable before taking a bath.
There is no danger from taking q general
bath while in a perspiration, providing no
fatigue accompanies it; for the sitz and foot
BATS, however, it is better that the body
be warm, but not perspiring.
A.. ALI general baths should be taken
briskly, and the bather himself, if able,
should rub vigorously that he may quicken
his circulation and respiration, and thus Sc
cure the warmth and glowing reaction that
is SO essential after every bath this should
be observed not only while in tie bath, but
I'm rubbing dry after it. aa-.s,a. f. .9t.,."
5. For drying the body after a general
bath, a strong linnen or cotton sheet is
much better than towels; this should be
for an adult at least two yards square, SO as
TO envelop the whole body like a cloak, and
with it he should be rubbed or rub himself
till thoroughly dry-by using the sheet for
wiping, the body is protected from the air,
! the escape of heat is prevented, and there
lis much less liability to feel chilly after
wards-towels will suffice, however, for all
local applications.
9. AT the completion Of the bath, the
bsther should Immediately dress, and, if
able exercise in the open air, or engage in
some active employment. If not able to
exercise, IT Is well to cover up warm in bed
tor an hour or so, and sleep, if possible.
Z. very nervous persons or those whose
-digestlons is much impaired, or circulation
is imperfect and feeble, or temperature is
below the normal standard. should be care
fnl not TO use cold water to any GREAT ex-
tent in bathing; it may have a Temporary
SASSt3 bOt All LAG Slu IHStF SuueF-
ings sAt bs likely to be increased.
id Feeble lnvaiids, consumptives, persons
subject to hemorrhage Of the lungs or The
stomach, those who have just passed the
crisis in levers or other accute diseases,
those suffering from profuse discharges,
such as suppurations, diarrhoea, cholera, etc,
ana also females during the menstrual pc
s,od. should avoid the nse OF cold water, az
+, wen as The excessive use Of il in any form
b. Always use 4 thermometer II deter
mine thestempcrature Of baths for lnVallds
10. An invalid should not battle in
z room with. the temperature belov1 30 Deg.
and for most persons 80 or So degs. wonif
be better provided there is good Eentlla
tion.-E. p. Miller, NJ. D. Y
To REaosE GREASE sroTs,-Make
batter of wheat -four and cold water, am
amply 10 the wrong side OF The cloth dr.!
Slowly by the fire, and when perfectly dry
rab oTthe -four, and the grease will b