The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-04
MATER vs.. STEAM.
Al 1Ae Latter Much Preferable for
Bathing from a Hygenic
Standpoint.
4 Hxplanation Of the Scientific Priu-
ctples Upon Which They
are Based.
Aftor Turkish Bath Roll in the Snow is
4 neutrality-suspicious. not
Il 4 Kiss Weakening.

Aft0r . Turkish bath Roll in the Snow is
Glorious not
Weakening.
Y The theory that water-bath is cnefi:-
cient to restore the proper action to the
skin, while the Turkish bath cannot be ex-
celled for this purpose, is founded on this
principle-that the human body is not SO
dense substance rs water, and being po-
rous, no sooner is it immersed in warm
water than absorption begins to take place.
which is the very intention of bath, says
= writer in an exchange. The action should
always be from within, outwards Hence,
when the body is enveloped in heated vapor
or air, and the perspiration has commenced
to flow freely, thirst is felt, and it is good,
generally, to drink abundantly of pure
water, SO as to assist and replace the out
pour of the skin; while, ON the contrary,
nearly every one knows that q water bath,
either hot or cold, Immediately assauges
thirst.
!. This shows the fallacy of expecting bene-
fetal results from water baths. unless for
gross uncleanliness of the actual surface OF
the body. Whoever felt refreshed after
a soaking in warm water, unless vigorous
exercise followed it to enable the skin to
throw out its unnatural load Of water!
From this cause results the liability to take
cold after a warm water bath. which is so
frequently the case. The skin being damp
with the water absorbed from his BATH Is
Habby and inactive. and is in the primest
condition of susceptibility to disorders ow-
ing to the retention of waste matters Ill solu-
ton in the blood.
But after the Turkish bath nothing is
more beneficial than cold or tepid shower
bath, or even roll in snow If IN n northern
cline, for the reaction of the skin IS pro-
ductive of glorious sensations; at the same
time its vitality, as we'll as that of the body,
is SO increased as to effectually resist all ex-
ternal injurious influences. In some parts
of Norway and Russia the vapor bath is
much used by the peasantry as curative
agent. They obtain it by heating large
stones in wood fire, in room appropr,l tat
cold water is thrown on, and is immediate
" converted into vapor. The bathers re-
main in this for some time, vigorously rub
bling themselves. and each other, either
with the bare hands or thick goat-hair
gloves. This is done most frequently dur
ING the rigorous part of the winter, and it
is affirmed that they are better able to
Withstand cold in consequence.
In the generality of private houses it is
often announcement, if not impracticable.
and at all times expensive, to have room
devoted expressly for the purpose of hot
air or vapor bath. To this end various ex-
pedients have been adopted, one of which is
to place kettle with water upon a fire, hav-
ing one end of an India rubber tube at
tached to its spout and the other end placed
while another person arranges one or more
blankets about him to confine the heat and
vaRor. :aa.;,. .uo,,, +ho lot.,o 10 ron.
viewed by the tube to the withinslde the
blankets, and by it the patient is made lit
steam being condensed in its passage
through the tube and the absence of heat
within the blankets little else can be said
of its action; besides the air surrounding
the patient is never changed, OWING to the
absence of circulation, which it is impossi-
BILE to obtain unless the source of heat be
within the inclosed space. Another nno
somewhat hazardous make-shift is to heat
a brick to redness and immerse 1t in buck
ct of water, over which the patient sits; but
efficient, besides being announcement and de.
r. is to obyiate all such inconvenience as
these that the Turkish bath of the last TWEEN
tv wears has been instituted III all the large
cities, and in many smaller cities also. IL
l. r.
Uarded by thousands of men and women
Who are confined many hours of the day tc
counting house or store, to be very I'M
portant and at the same time grateful fac
tor in bracing up the wearied nerves ant
muscles and restoring mental and physical
nover and effectiveness The Turkish batl
has been found pre-eminently convenient
and seryiceable in this way. and it is ever.
wear extending on more and more elab
crate and substantial scale, and its efhcienc.
and comfort is made more and more com
plete. ,..,,
hovever: it is true that nearly all in begin
ming TO use the Turkish bath do 80 becaus
Of It's effects upon the health, or, perhaps
upon the complexion, or for Its refreshing
ir,fluences upon the whole system; yet it j
nearly uniformly true that most bather
* soon forget this phase OF the matter and
n going through the processes of the bath
thiIlk only Of the unadulterated luxur
they enjoy. At first, gentle, pleasan
warmth is felt, the skin by . degrees beeo econ
circulation Of the delightfully."- heated al
fakea place around the body. exposing it t.
4 constant renewal of the pure atmosphere
This is of great Importance, for, unles
such circulation is provided, the AR com
bines with the gaseous products that ar
thrnwn off from the body and are retalne,
vithin the bathrooms; this is a very serlou
drawback to be found in Turkish bait
occasionally that was constructed betor
the principles of heating and ventllatln
were - well understood by the manager
Of these institutions When the ventila alto
q noI ti ;orouynn G.,s in the form of
siirht headache: hut in the we'll devise
hath the effect produced is delightful sen
safiOn of ELASTICITY and vigoi.
A very popular faltacy is that profus
perspiration Is v,asenins. The best reply
perhaps, to iris Sppposition Is reterenc
- The me-, p:a. ell Mt gas works, TO tn
rnddle.s i,.s,. ,t.s,tiutuctute of IRON, to tn
@scar boitels j. ais>i to all whose daily labo
n 81 the seyei.st bodily description. Man
al these work stripped to the waist. Tn
noo oft # II hs sae feet qu 1et tSes
s..a,n nra the perfection of health an
,ar They have no encumbering ia
are free from colds and nearly every di
esse. Again, it is well known how gym
nasts. pedestrians end oarsmen induce pre-
N fnsa perspiration while training, and "
81 they dc not lose their strength or limit the
n noyere of endurance.