The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-03-30
Bathing.

The human organism, by virtue Of it's
peculiar constitution, necesaitates bath
Ing as one Of the conditions for health.
The skin is one of the chief depurating
organs of the body, upon which is thrown
out considerable amount of fluid and
solid matters in health and in disease,
which require to be removed; and this is
best done by bathing. Hence, bathing
for cleanliness is an important considera-
ton in all cases, and we believe it is the
only justifable object with persons in
health. What else can be the object, if
one is already we'll? Bathing for cleanli-
ness thus Implies pure, soft water, of a
neutral temperament, and continued Just
long enough to accomplish this object.
The water is to be pure because it Is q bet
ter cleanser; it is to be soft, because hard
or salt water irritates and Injuries the
skin; it is to be of neutral temperature,
say ninety degrees, neither hot nor cold,
but simply pleasant, because everything
in the way Of shock or disturbance of the
nervous system is to be avoided; it may
continue two or three minutes, the whole
body being immersed, because q shorter
time would not be sufficiently cleansing,
and longer time would be relaxing.
Frequency is an important point, but
the true way should not be obscure. If
we battle for cleanliness, VIC should bathe
a. often as the skin requires to be cleansed,
and no oftener. If we are persons of sed-
entary habits, engaged in clearly occupa-
tions, we believe that two or three times a
week are sufficient; if, ON the other hand
we perspire great deal, or are engaged
in dusty occupations, we may be required
to bathe daily. Each person can regulate
frequency for himself, always remember
ing that too much bathing is exhausting,
while too little would be insufficiently
cleansing.
The time for bathing should be when
the body is in full vigor, but not immedi-
ately before or after eating, nor when the
circulation or breathing is much dis
turbed by any cause. Early morning
baths are not highly commended, because
they tend to too rapid exaltation OF the
nervous system, and are apt to detlact
from the vigor of the digestive organs.
Midday, or just before the vital functions
have reached their highest point of actvi-
ty, is good time; or, with healthy per-
sons who retire early, and are not ex-
hausted by the days labor or excitement,
just before retiring will be found excellent
practice.
A good formula, then, for persons in
good heath would be, full bath, towel
bath, sponge-bath, or hand bath, at ninety
degrees, two minutes, twice to six times q
week, according to the vigor, activity
and occupation of the person.
The sitz-bath in the evening, at ninety
to eighty five degrees temperature for ten
minutes, is often very valuable for per-
sons in fair health, but who are engaged
in sedentary occupations, or occupations
demanding severe thought, as with book
keepers, clerks, editors, lawyers, divines,
etc. Its effect is to withdraw blood from
overtaxed, and perhaps engorged, organs,
and to direct vitality to the parts i'm
mersed, thus equalizing the circulation
and thereby improving nutrition. Per-
haps, however, exercise by Swedish move
ments, the lifting etc., would be
better. No baths should be taken when
the feet and hands are cold or general
system chilly, unless it be warm baths to
warm them. But exercise or dry heat is
far preferable for this purpose.
Rubbing, manipulation, exercise, etc.,
should always follow baths when they can
be borne. For well persons they are moi
80 important but are advisable; while fol
the sick they are absolutely Indispensable
The kind and degree of exercise, rubbing
etc., must be decided by the needs Of the
patient. in the light of intelligent expert
ence and proper education in these re.
spects.-Scsence Of Health.