The Russellville Democrat., 1893-08-17
SEA BATHING.


 A sea bath is to most persons ex- ceedingly agreeable and refreshing, and, when iudiciously employed, a medicinal agent of great value; but, like all other medicinal agents. 1t may be productive of good or bad results, depending upon the condi- ton of the one who takes the bath and his manner of taking it. To the convaiescent, impatient for de- layed strength, to the inland dweller whose devotion to business pursuits or house .ifely cares has resulted in feeble health and nerv ous bank ruptcy, and to all overworked in mind or body, TO measure, when discreetly used, so surely brings vigor and rest as a sojourn at the seashore and daily plunge into the salt water. Though not every one's experience in sea bathing has been agreeable, and perhaps to some it has proved positively harmful, it can be asserted that in nearly all such cases the unsatisfactory results are due to some indiscretion of the bather or misconception of the principles that should guide one in resorting to sea baths for sanitary purposes. Sea bathing IS more powerful tonic than the ordinary cold bath. The stimu- lation of the cutaneous surface by the dissolved salt, the changing and cooler currents of air, the impact of the waves upon the body, and the mental effect of the unusual sur roundings, combine to impress the system very forcibly. While such conditions may have depressing effect upon one who is unaceus- toned to them, they are highly bracing and stimulating to him who is strong enough to make sea bath ing safe.
 On entering the cold sea bath there is a sense of depression of greater or less degree, depending upon the nervous susceptibility of the bather and the degree of the temperature of the water below that of the body. The water looks very alluring as one stands on the hot, sandy beach, but proves distressing ly cold if one advances slowly into it; the skin becomes pale and shriv- eled, and presently the familiar geose-skin appearance, caused by a contraction of the skin and conse- q uent protrusion of the hair follicles spreads over the body. There is a general shivering, a blueness of the lips, nose and extremities, as the blood recedcs from the cutaneous vessels and masses about the internal organs. An involuntary sobbing breathing as the water rises to the chest marks its impression upon the nervous system. If the advance in to the water continues, or still quicker, if a plunge into it's depth be taken, the system in few sec onds is aroused to meet and over come these depressing effects and sense of collaboration follows. The skin now becomes ruddy, the whole body is in a glow, the pulse is stronger, the breathing is full and easy, the body and mind are in- vigorated.
 This abrupt dilatation of the cutaneous vessels, the stimulation of the hearts action, and restoration of the body heat is the reaction which is sought for in the therapeutic use of the sea bath. One or two more plunges can now be taken or two or thres waves be allowed to pass over one, and then all the good that can be derived from the bath has been acquired. It may be prolonged for the sake of the pleasure to be de- rived from sporting in the cool water or from the profit to be att taintd in learning to swim, but no further constitutional bene- fit will be secured by an extension of the five or eight minutes already passed in the water If the bath is further prolonged the bather must be in the best of condi- ton, and should exercise in swim ming or otherwise, for the more hurried circulation of the blood dur ing the bath causes it to cool rapidly as it cones to the surface, the tenn perature of the whole body is soon lowered, and there follows a second contraction of the cutaneous vessels and a chilliness more protracted than the irst.--Pierre &. Starr, M. D., in Washington's Magazine for August.