Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-25
SEA-BATHING.
Under Some Conditions 1t is Safe and
Healthful, and Hurtful Under 9th


ers.
[From the Boston Herald.l
There is scarcely a more enjoyable or
healthful exercise than swimming, provi-
ded always, the water is not too cold nor
the indulgence too prolonged.
The pressure of the water, and its tenn
perature, if cold, drives the blood from
the surface of the body to the internal Or
gans and the head, congesting them for
the time being. This congestion, if it
only lasts for few moments, and in a
strong, healthy person, does little or no
harm, but if allowed to persist fifteen or
twenty minutes, or longer, the affected or
gans are generally more or less deranged
in consequence.
There are::very many people for whom
mere dip in cold water is hurtful. Circu-
lation is generally weak with them; and
unless in an overheated room in winter
they are constantly complaining of feeling
chilly, while even in warm weather they
need thick clothing that would be intole-
rable to others. After bathing in the open
air, even if only for few moments, they
come out of the water feeling tired, weak
and languid, and "nearly chilled to the
bone" More often than otherwise, also,
the indulgence has brought on a headache,
which fingers for several hours, showing
that they have not wholly recovered from
the effects of the brief congestion in the
head. 1t is scarcely necessary to say that
these people should never enter very cold
water.
A person can easily determine with one
indulgence whether or not open air bath
ing is hurtful to him. If circulation is
speedily restored after he has left the wa
ter; if his skin is well reddened, and he is
soon well warmed up and as strong and
'fively" as when he took his first plunge,
then he may properly assume that his bath
has done him good. If, on the other
hand, his skin continues cold and clammy
for fifteen or twenty minutes, notwith-
standing the brisk rubbing he gives him
self, and for an hour or more afterward he
is weak, dull and languid, then he may
feel tolerably certain that there is some
thing wrong with him which forbids cold
bathing. Sea-bathing has merits which
no other form possesses. The surround
ings are cheerful, the bather is in pure air,
and even the gentle shock of the waves
adds something to the healthfulness of the
indulgence as well as to its pleasures. Sea
water being colder than fresh water, has
greater tonic effect; and, as with all pow
erful tonics, caution must be displayed in
its use.
Of all who indulge in sea bathing, prob
ably not one in twenty does SO judiciously,
and receives the benefit that he ought.
Time passes very quickly in the water,
and, with but an occasional exception,
bathers remain in it much too long, COM
ing out with pallid faces, purplish lips,
and chilled and shivering, if not in state
bordering on collapse. The average dura-
tion Of sea bath should be about five
minutes for young children, and ten min
| utes for older ones. Strong and healthy
women should remain in the water only
| about ten or fifteen minutes, while the pc
riod for robust men should not extend be-
yond twenty minutes. The number OF
those who observe these rules is yery small
| indeed, and for this reason sea bathing
more often proves hurtful than otherwise.