Sharp County record., 1881-03-31
flow to Battle.

The bath to be beneficial must be
suited to the organization of the indl-
yidual. To those robust enough to
bear the shock nothing is so refreshing
or purifying as plunge each morning,
summer and winter, into tub OF water
fresh from the well. However, TINS IS
not advisable, when it is not followed
bv a warm glow, neither when followed
by a rush of blood to the head, in both
eases tepid or warm water should be
substituted. If you should not be able
to forego the pleasure of your cold
bath put into it a tablespoonful Of
whisky, eau de cologne or spirits OF
wine and you will have your glow.
But cold water is not cleansing
agent, tending rather to close the pores
of the skin, for one may use it daily,
even with rough application OF the
bath towel, and yet remain as dirty to
all practical intents as though cleanli'
ness was eschewed. Indeed the phySi-
cal evil of the dirt is more likely to en-
sue, for if left to itself the skin would
cast off this refuse and worn out mate
rial in the shape of invisible perSplra-
tiOn.
Warm or tepid water tends to open
the pores, so it is advisable to use that
together with thorough soap scrub
bing, followed by a general sponglnlge
with cold water, for this is most inyig-
Grating and bracing to the system when
followed by glow; but when this does
not occur, warm water must not always
be used Those who take cold from
bathing do so more often from the con-
tact of the feet with the metal bottom
of the bath-tub than from the bath it.
self This may be prevented by stand
inc on q folded towel.
Good soap will not hurt the complex
ion if rinsed off with clean water and is
as necessary for cleansing the face as any
other part of the body. A half tea
spoonful of ammonia in basin ofwater
will remove all unpleasant OdorS from
the skin and as a cleansing agent is
next in power to steam. That your
bath may be thoroughly beneficial, the
body must be well dried. To rpb
the skin slightingly is not only lagi-
ness but injurious, for leaving
it in this halt-dry condition
brings on innumerable irritating atfec-
tionS which, luckily, are more annoy
inc than serious. 1t is a good plan after
the bath to rub the face and hands with
sweet mutton tallow, rubbing well into
the skin with the fingers, and removing
with a soft linen cloth. Then, if the
skin seems parched and dry apply corn
starch with hannel.clOth.
1t is by no means necessary to own a
well furnished bath room to enjoy the
benefits and comforts accruing from
this priceless luxury, for even in the
poor accommodation of a basin an
abundant sponge bath may be taken,
which will be both healthful and in
vigOrating.
In conclusion l must add word in
behalf of that much abused article of
human use-the sponge. The kinds
most in use are the Turkey, rock and
sand sponges. OF these the former is
undesirable for daily use, its tinenesS
making it very hard to keep clean. The
rock or sand sponge, which is the com
mon honeycomb, is the best for ordi-
nary bath purposes, and in buying one
select as white and woolly a one as!r9u
can find, with only a few large holes,
and after washing thoroughly and beat
mo out the sand, you may soften by
soaking in equal parts of muriatic acid
and water. Then sew through and
through with strong cotton to prevent
it from tearing. Nothing is more un-
pleasant than a dirty sponge, as it fills
the whole room with disgusting odor.
To preserve it clean and sweet never
leave it wet, but rinse well and ring
hard. No matter if you do tear 1t, they
are cheap; and it is better to have a
ragged clean one than to use bunch
of decaying, purifying stuff, which only
gives YOU back the human grease and
dirt which you have been so careless
and slovenly as to leave in it. Rinse it
every time you wash your hands and
you will be surprised to see how dirty
the water becomes, while if it is pos
sessed of a Shiny filth, rub well with
laundry soap and rinse again and again
until it is fresh and sweet and fragrant
with the odors of the a.-C0r. Detroit
Free Press.