Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-29
BATHING IN MEXICO.
SEA BATHS REGARDED As A REM
EDY FOR HYDRoPHoBlA

SEA BATHS REGARDED As A REM
EDY FOR HYDRoPHoBlA
River Bathing Extremely Unpopul>r In
Some Parts of Mexico-Some Queer
Ideas-CustOms at the CapitAl-Ap-
parent Lack Of Dignity.
It may be stated as general rule that
on the coast of Mexico bathing IS moro
frequent than in lakes and rivers. owing
to the curative properties of sea water.
and In some instances on account Of eli
matte conditions. In Vera Cruz. for In
stance, during the heated term, sea baths
are of almost universal use. notwishstand-
Ing that sharks are so numerous in the
waters thereabouts that bathing places
have to be palisaded in. guarded BY boats
6lled with men to beat the water, aad
otherwise protected against the inroads
OF the sanguinary monsters. at tho castle
Of San Juan de Ulua. just outside this
port, there Is large. exceOently arranged
bath house for tlSe use of the officers at
the castle and their families. and the
present writer remembers no similar ex-
perience moro pleasant than a plunge
therein, enjoyed after mornings tramp
around the island fortress, climbs to the
top of the lighthouse and signal towers,
and other such gentle exercise scarcely in
keeping with the scorching heat OF sum-
mer days there.
On the coast of Barlovento, particularly
about Misantla, where rabid dogs are
frightfully numerous, sea baths are re-
garded as sovereign remedy for hydro
phobia When mad dog runs amuck
there the parties bitten are bundled OF to
the shore as speedily as possible, and put
through a course of fortnight's system
attic bathing. The oldest inhabitants de-
clare that hydrophobia has never been
known to develop in patient who has
undergone this treatment. Domestic ami
mails with the trouble are subjected to the
same process, and it is said tho results
are equally eticacious, save in the case Of
mules, with which it is utterly futile.
FEVER AND AGUE
On tie other hand, although this section
is blessed with an Astounding number of
beautiful streams and rivers, bathing
therein Is extremely unpopular, the in
habltants declaring that river bathing is
ague), especially if one walk at all 10 the
SUM performance hardly to be avoided
unless one condemns oneself to prison
like seclusion. During a considerable
stay in Misantla the writer, accustomed
to cold bath every morning, used TO rise
at dawn, ride the milo or SO to particu-
larry fine bathing place at the river, take
glorious plunge, tramp about all day in
the tropical sun in quest of butterflies,
colecpters and ''sich like" specimens of
natural history. and toward evening again
wend to the river, entering the water bot
and debilitated, yet never a shake of
calenturas appeared. One rides past the
little ranches or villages in that section
and sees the people painting like lizards
from the heat, inert. languid and useless.
Before their doors runs abundance of
clear, cool water, and yet they swelter in
their hot and dirty misery In the state
of Morelos, particularly in the Cuernavsca
and Cacahuamilpa district. baths, whether
cool or otherwise, are said to produce
calenturas if taken in the evening, while
in the morning they may be INDUCED in
with impunity.
In the same way all over the republic
there are queer ideas as to the pernieious
effects of bathing at certain times or un-
der certain conditions. Few things call
the attention Of Mexicaps more strongly
than the eagerness with which Anglo
Saxons seek the bath on coming off
journey; the people here prefer to retain
the dust of the road and other discom-
forts attendant on travel for some days
at least after debarking, firmly convinced
that the other course would result in
bad cold, at least. To battle, having
cold, would be to sign the death warrant;
and one often sees people under these
conditions who have not so much AS
touched the tips of their fingers to water
for a fortnight. This is peculiarly awk-
ward stumbling block for those who de-
sire the practice of cleanliness by their
In chihuahua. for instance.
it is almost impossible to induce the ser
want class to keep themselves tidy to the
degree Of their presence near one being
endurable In other cities also the writer
to have suffered species of
nartyrdom from the proximity of the
people serving at table, yet their masters
to perceive nothing unpleasant,
Notwithstanding they were people of the
highest rank. and themselves OF exquisite
personal habits
BATHS AT THE CAPITAL
In the City Of Mexico the inhabitants Of
the better order, as general rule. battle
freely, and they laugh to scorn tho pro-
vincial prejudices on this point. seeing in
frequent baths oneof the best preventiyes
Of rheprnstism. typhoid, pneumonia and
other lis that flesh is here heir to, owing
to the dampuess and bad drainage. Il
have bad cold coming On; must 60 and
take shower bath" is @ remark very
often heard here. One Is always recon-
nended TO walk for exercise after bathing
Ia this city, as one is apt 60 be chilled If
one enters Immediately the houses. Gs a
rule rather damp and gloomy. II am
going to take bath. VIII it please you
10 accompany meT' Is a very common
speech with the Me1icans, who have tho
habit Of inviting one TO partake OF what
ever they indulge in at the moment. be it
coffee. drink. dinner, a ride. drive. or
including a bath. "a aforesaid
Mexican men Of good standing, lawyers,
etc. nay be net going 20 the
baths gQil.less Of linen. .l.s-coat put Oh
directly over the und-rahir., sometimes
With handkerchief or scarf about tho
neck, at others showing the bare throat,
Md IL they chance to Iaeet ladies Of their
they see no reason why that
yaxb IS not as appropriate for conversation
$ any other. Tho ladies. on the other .
hand, promenade home through the most
,roxded streets with their hair streaming,
~ often as nc. with towel hanging
Town the back beneath II. and DO GIG Is
l. 49, 4