The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-05-11
Isathiug and Isaths.

celebrated for their maeniiccncc, ard
formed parts Of buildings Of vast cx
tent aud grandeur, termed gymnasia,
sufficiently large to accommodate sew.
eral thousand persons, and besides the
baths, werc used for the pursuit OF ia
vortc games and exercises by both old
and young, intended TO give strength
aud durability to the muscles, also that
strong determination and vi.or Of
mind which was calculate to make
them accomplished warriors.
In these baths were centercd all that
was elaborate in workmanship, elegant
in design, and beautiful in art. Nothing
was thought too granl or magnificent
for their decoration Precious gems
and metals, and the finest works Of the
painter and sculptor, were TO be found
within their walls. The great hall Of
the bath was generally ornamcnted
with the statues OF Hercules, the god
of strength, llygca, the goddess OF
health, and -Esculapius, tho god OF
medicine.
But here we draw a limo of distinc.
ton between institutions of ancient and
modern times 10 ancient times within
the bath was collected all that contrib
utcd to the luxury and enjoyment Of
the people. 10 modern times, depart.
mcn,s devoted to amuscments, etc, arc
distinct from the bath, and flourish
and increase, while the gymnasium
and bath, two of the most important
branches, have in q measure fallen into
disusc.
Tho benefit of thorough bathing
would not ouly be felt in our families,
but in business, in our legislative halls
and throughout society generally -
One of the greatest hygicnic influences
we can bring to bear upon the public
health, and the advancement Of our
physical condition, is cleanliness. To
be poor is no disgrace; to be unclean
is q shame and crime. II we allow
the skin to become filthy, its proper
action is ntcriered with, thereby ai-
fcc,ing the whole system, aud often
causing dangerous disease.
Health greatly depends upon the
free action Of the skin. Keep .he skin
clean and healthy, and we close many
gates against disease. When the wat
cry por tion of the Precipitation cvap
crates, the solid matter is left behind
on the surface, with the scales of the
worn cuticlc and the excess Of soba-
ceous matter, and in order to have q
healthy, active skin, these impurities
require to be removed by the frequent
application of water But in large
cities, where so many thousands are
collected in so small compass, and
their business being of a scicutary no
turc, almost deprivcs them from the
great benefit to be derived from fresh
air and exercise during business hours,
and the activity Of nearly every organ
in the body is more or less intericred
with, thus causing many thousand
cases Of Of dyspepsia, indigestion and
constipation.
This inactivity undoubtedly extends
: TO the skin, TO greater degree than
TO any other organ, for the simple rea-
son of its being farther away from the
centre Of circulation. But we may say,
1T is only the skin; what can that
have to do with the health {? We oc.
casioual'y take bath aud are about as
clean as the generality Of people, =
This may be true as far as external ap.
pcaranccs are concerned but let us
ask the question. In what condition
are the pores Of the skin? They are
; ithy, clogged up, aud this uudoubted'
ly gives rise to many case Of headache
aud fever, and other symptoms of de,
preston due to this cloggiug up and
retention of cflete matter.
This condition of the skin is plainly
shown by placing such a person in II
' Turkish OF Russian bath for tho first
time. Such person is really sur
! priscd at the lscgth of time required
to get op a free pcrspiration, After
it is once started he is again very much
surprised to see what dirty person
he is wherever he touches tho skin
with the hand, the etfeto matter witt
the old dead cuticle rolls up in wondrou'
quantities. After the second or thirl
. bath the perspiration will start in few
minutes after entering the bath, show
, ing plainly the advantage these bath
have over tho simple water bath
They not only cleanse the skin as Il
, external appearances, but thorough,
|, omen the noras throwing of tho effet,