The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-23
Hiatt. for the Seaside.

Hint- for the Seaside.
What are the precise virtues Of sea bathing
and sea air. and under what conditions those
remedial agents should be employed. are ques-
tons Of cons siderable interest ut this season Of
the year. We find them answered in a brief.
explicit trustworthy way by member OF the
New York Academy OF Medicine. DR.. GHIsLAN1
DURAST, who has given us the results OF his
special experience and study in pamphlet.
called Sea Bdt,iI.0. It's Use and Abuse. When
we consider how widespread s the notion that
salt water is as harmless rs fresh. and that in
its use We may follow without peril the prompt
ings Of instinct. we can see that nothing Is moro
needful to sojourners by the seaside than exact
information, supported by authority ana con-
nrmed 10y personal observation.
A curious physiological effect is often re-
marked in visitors 10 the seashore who persist
emily shun bathing in the salt water and DIR. Du
rant. therefore. prciaces his monograph with a
word or two about the tonic influence Of tne sea
air. Owing to its greater density. this s re-
spired in larger volumes. The quality. more
over. is better. both ON account Of the constant
disturbance and renewal OF the atmosphere by
winds and Of the attested presence OF larger
percentage Of Ozone or active Oxygen. not TO in
sist on "A possible infusion Of bromidcs and
iodides carried in the evaporating water and
spray. Passing TO the specific action Of sea wa
ter on the human organism. we find this cN-
planned by temperature, by chemical compost
ton. 10y density. by absorption. and by the con-
tinual motion and shock of the impinging
waves. All these clements OF influence are in
diligently discussed by the author, and the
chapters thus devoted to analysis lay substan-
tial basis for many practical hints. to some OF
which we would call attention.
As 10 the proper season for sen bathing, Dr.
DUrant points out that the temperature Of the
ocean increases gradually during the month
II July In a proportion which never exceeds
pa Fahrenheit q day; that during the month
of August it reaches its maximum. &C. sc Fab
renhelt, whore II remains for some time nearly
constant. seemingly unaffected by the changes
taking place In the atmosphere, and that about
the first OF September il begins 10 fall. the de-
crease thcnceforward proceeding steadily.
Thus it appears that the maximum Temporal
ture Of sea water is about 80 below that Of the
human body Now for the hour OF the BATH
which the writer II this treatise considers a
matter OF great importance. we are told that
those who battle in the morning before break
fast besides -ubiectng Themselves TO the risk Of
syncope are apt TO experience a feeling Of lassi-
tude OF weakness. and in addition to these un-
toward after effects expose the pulmonary
organs 10 an atmosphere which. in the early
part of the day al the sea shore. IL always
more or less damp. Observation has shown
that. for the majority Of people. the best
time for q plunge in the surf Is from seven
10 eleven in the morning. the maximum tonic
influence being then assured by the fact that
the temperature, both Of the air and the water.
is nj its lowest point. For those. however. who
are in delicate health. or very nervous and for
children of weak constitutions more suitable
4. - a..
until four in the afternoon. since between those
hlurs the temperature Of the water steadily IN
crcascs. These are general rules and they
only need to be modified with reference to tho
period Of high water. 50 lar "a TO insure easy
access to the ocean and the least possible OK
posture In returning 10 the bath house. As 10
the relation which should be- maintained be-
tween the hours " bathing and those OF meals.
nothing can he more inIudiciuus. according to
the wrtor. than the practice followed by So
many solourners NJ the seaside. that. namely. Of
sitting down to table Immediately after leaving
the bath
About the shape or dimensions Of the dress
worn in bathing. Dr. Durant has Of course.
nothing to say; but he insists that the material
should he wool. which retains the heat of the
body and prevents Il too rapid evaporation. 1t
is perhaps worth mentioning that maroon and
ulut NIe tue fpl'I- Hlil'f llfN I'Slhl lue
corrosive and bleaching effects ~ saline water
All head coverings such as the broad brimmcd
straw hats ana the oilskin caps commonly
worn. are to be avoided. for they arrest the Sc
cretions IT the scalp and leave the brain 10 per-
form moro than its share Of work whereas
owing 10 the increased cerebral circulation in
cident to the cold plunge all possible care ought
to he taken to keep that part of tho body at its
habitual temperature. We may add that while
the author renews the familiar caution about
waiting until perspiratiOn has subsidized before
entering the waves, we are eniOined ON no ao-
count to throw of our clothing and await in q
bathing dress tho lowering Of the temperature.
Another point on which DR.. Durant dwes quite
urgently is the danger. especially FOR youn..
children. OF bathing after shutdown. when tho
chilling land breeze has sot in.
While no absolute rule can la given rs to tho
duration Of the bath, it ia imperative that the
should leave the water Fifteen minutes Is the
limit TO which any sea bath should be pro-
longed. Dr. DurHnt thinks that the majority Of
adult bathcrs who frequent the seaside for the
benefit ~ their health may be permitted to re-
main in the water from six to twelve minutes,
but in the case Of delicate, lymphNtr children.
and of women extremely nervous or weakened
| by disease. tho period of immersion must not
exceed from one to throe minutes We may
add that all except the most robust should be
| careful to let the impinging waves strike the
| latera! or posterlor portions Of the body. never
! the stomach and chest. II the day DO worry