Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-05
WASHINGTON. d. c.. TUESDAY. JULY 5. 1881. TWO
Hints on Sea.Bathfng.

Hints ON Sea.Bathfng.
July and August are the months for sea bath
ing, which, Ii properly managed, is one OF ths
most healthfui and invigorating OF exercises.
though Its good effects are often neutralked
through ignorance or carelessness. The fol-
lowing extracts from DR.. j. b. Packard's Sea.
Ar ana Sea Bathing zone OF the american
Health Primers furnish very good summary
reader In this matter:
H0ac Long 10 Bdthe.-It Is quite absurd to lay
down positive rules as to the time people should
watches In with them. And any days eXpe-
r1ence on the beach In the season will show
great many bathers sporting In the water for
1 nan an nour or an hour. and even longer, with
common practice among the young to 60 IN,
take bath. come out and lie on the sand, and
60 IN again, perhaps number OF times The
powers OF endurance vary greatly; and 1t is
weu known that swimmers have sometimes
remained In the water for many consecutive
tours without harm.
sanitary purposes, and as matter Of prudence.
1t is better to take the bath, and to leave the
water for the day.
What is wanted in ordinary sea- bathing is to
carry the chilling OF the body only so far as to
promote the subsequent reaction. The first
sense of cold on entering the water Is soon fol-
this continues for some little time, to be again %
succeeded by sense OF chilliness The second
cooling Is accompanied by diminution In the
activity OF the circulation, shown especially by
blueness OF the lips or finger nails: and this
should Invariably be regarded as signal for
leaving the water at once. To wait until the
teeth teeth ehattsr and @ the skin Of the fingers be-
Is IN very high degree 1mprudent-
For those who have young children or inva-
Ids under their charge. and who are able to
stay In the bath 1t may be said that this may
be according to the condition of the skin,
somewhere between two and fifteen miautes.
1t is always safe to err on the side of prudence,
and to cut the bath needleSsly short rather than
to prolong 1t at any risk.
Perhaps 1t hardly need be said that the colder
When the air ana the water are both cold, the
Duration OF the bath should correspondtngly
diminish. This condition of things Increases
the danger OF shock and OF insufficient reac-
one should enter a sea bath comfortable
warm and exercise actively during the stay In
the water. The temporary chilling OF the sur
lace Will then give place quickly to glow,
which may be kept up or even Increased by
thorough rubbing.
HO,c to Bdthe.-There are very seldom oppor.
tunities for diving into the sea, and only very
small number OF batherS are expert enough to
do 1t. The best plan Is to walk or run rapidly
into the water, Wading out at once far enough
either to dip the whole person, head and all, or
like to have bucket OF sea-water dashed over
them before going In. Once In the water and
thoroughly wet. one need only keep moving, oc-
casionally going unoer a wave, as long as the
water is agreeable and there is no sense Of
chlllnesS.
SaciD,antn0.-It is not safe to swim In the sea
when the tide Is running out, as then 1t is diff
not safe to swim when there Is heavy surf, as
even good swimmer may be so confused and
bafIied by waves breaking over him as to lose
ward instead of to the shore; or he may be eX-
hausted by the force OF the water as to sink.
1t is not safe to swim when there are strong
currents running in the general line OF shore,
keep the bather in deep water longer than
powers can hold out. Should he ind himself
in such current he should never try to make
head directly against 1t, but should swim dag
onally towards the shore, and, above ALL should
try to keep his presence OF mind and save his
strength.
On leaving the surf bath it Is always best for
the bather TO wash the head with fresh water,
so as to free the hair from salt, which would
otherwise make 1t very stin and harsh. At
many places there are connected with the
bathing houses nydrants at a suitable height
by means of which this may be very convent
entity done.
The whole surface OF the person should be
thoroughly dried and rubbed down with coarse
towels. This Is a luxury even In very hot
weather, and adds greatly TO the benefit OF the
Immediately after the midday bath slight
lunch should be taken; and, II there is alter
wards any sense OF chilllnesS, exercise iE some
form. such as billiards. ten pins, or walking ION
piazza, not In the suD). should follow this for
very agreeable, and not In anyway harmful.
bathing for Cnfld1e,a-Tne beneficial effects
or sea- bathing upon children are usually very
manifest, especially in the weakly and delicate
For them, the out door life at the sea-snore and
the stimulus OF the salt air and water will
often do more than any tonic known to the
Children ought Nerer TO be Forced into the
S,uJ.-An good effects which might be expected
from the bathing are nulllf1ed by the fright and
nervous shock. and there may be left lasting
Impression OF terror which will for many years
prevent enjoyment or even comfort In the water.
The proper way Is to get the little one gradu-
ally accustomed to the sea, to let them have
their bathing Clothes on, and play on the beach,
when they will 60 to the dge of the water, and
perhaps find their own way In.
The whole person should always be thoroughly
water. 1t is a very bad thing to let child get
its feet and hands chilled for any length OF time
Withou the head and body being also subjected
TO cold. Neglect OF this may give rise to head
ache and good deal OF discomfort.
Ve''y OLD People should OF course be cautious
anout bathing in the surf, as reaction in them
often Sc occurs but imperfecty and the fatigue
always the case, and no definite rule can be
laid down.
When to BaMe-There is no valid objection
to bathing at any time of the day except lust
after meal. The reason for avoiding this is
simply that the process OF digestion require
and involves fulness OF the blood vessels of
internal organs. as well as certain amount of
nerve force: Hence any shocks. as Of cold
water applied to the surface, which Is apt to
determine the blood towards the intt rior of
the body. may readily induce an extreme con-
gestfon there.
When Not to Bathe.-Persons suffering from
acute disease In any form ought to ABSTAIN
from sea bathing, unless with the express
sanction OF competent physician; and the
same may be said with regard to all who are
laboring under organic affections whether Of
the brain. heart, lungs, liver or kidneys.
HOlp often to Bathe.-R0bust persons may
occasionally, In hot weather, bathe twice day
in the sea without harm. But for most people
once is enough. And It may be laid down as
wholly passed away, another one ought not to
be taken: Children can generally bRthe daily
without harm.
The Murder Of Lieut.. Cherry.
STARTLING STORY OF PLOT.
(OmAha Herald, June IL.
The first report OF the murder Of Lieut.. Cher.
~ assigned insanity as the motive of Locke.
the cavalryman. for killing that gallant young
near Fort Niobrara, and this has been the