Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-23
Use and Abuse OF Cold Bathing.

In a general way, it may be said that
cold bathing is salutary when yigore
Gus habit exists; it is injurious when the
general strength Is too feeble TO admit
Of reaction under its influence Il Is
also to be employed when the system is
relaxed by indolent habits, sleeplessness
and mental unrest During GONZALES.
cence from fevers and tedious illnesses
its continuous use is productive of good
results. Persons who take cold" easily
will find the daily bath of cold water a
most effectual means of prevention. Tne
corpulent need its tonic influence; the
same may properly be said of the dys-
peptic and those of the so-called bilious
temperament.
Many who might prudently indulge
in cold water bathing do so at first with
fear and trembling. But this reluctance
can easily be overcome. To learn to
regard it as luxury one should begin
with tepid water, lowering the temper
ature each day. A cold bath should al
ways be of short duration. Its benefit
is in the first impression made on the
skin and nerves. The immersion should
always be sudden. The effect is then
uniform. If the water is entered hesi-
tatingly, the blood is driven from the
lower extremities to the upper parts.
The shower bath is especially advocated
for its sudden and general shock, and
its application to the head. Very
many lack the conveniences of bathing,
and yet none can be denied sponge
baths. These are easily applied, and
are general luxury. The ancient theory
that after violent exercise and while
perspiring freely, the body should be
allowed to cool before immersion is no
longer accepted. 1t would certainly be
judicious to exercise before bathing. the
body's temperature being thus elevated
and reaction after the application of
cold insured.
Sea-bathing has peculiar advantages,
chiefly the cheerful surroundings, the
low temperature, and the gentle shock
of the waves. The vigorous can safely
battle daily; the less strong on alternate
days. An hour before noon is the best
time to indulge. The water should not
be entered hesitatingly, but q bold
plunge taken at once. The more cour-
ageous will do we'll to dive The aver
age duration of the bath should be from
five to ten minutes for children, fifteen
minutes for women, and but little longer
for men. To delay much beyond these
periods is pernicious practice, inviting
debility and injury On leaving tine
water the body should be rubbed with q
coarse towel until the skin is heated and
reddened. Afterward brief brisk walk
should be taken. Those who feel weak
and depressed would do we'll to take
cup of tea or coffee. More powerful
stimulants should rarely be used. IL.
After diving, or when the head has
been submerged and the nasal passages
are filled with water, bathers will fire.
quently make violent expulsiEe efforts
to clear them by closing first one nostril
and then the other. The dangeris that
in so doing they sometimes force water
from the back part of the passage up
the tube 10 the middle car, causing a
cracking sensation" and laying the
foundation for catarrhal Inflammation.
BY taking deep inspiration, suddenly
closing the mouth, and expelling the air
through tho nose. it will be equally as
effectual and the danger referred to
obviated.-N Y. Journal. ''.