Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-11-16
WATER AND HEALTH.
BY MARY ANNABLE FANroN.

/ ments in modern medical science is the
| certain proof of tie immense importance
/ of cold wster to health, both as remedy
for and prevention OF disease. But cold
water should not be confounded with ICE
water. that is almost as disastrous to
stomach, heart and liver as liquor or
drug habit. Cold water means the tenn.
perature OF spring water Of an October
morning, Just crisp freshness about It,
/ but no shock. For drinking purposes
water should be cooled In an ice box, just
| bottled or aimed, but never with ice In
| 1t, which IS unhygienie as well as un.
aesthetic.
Physicians declare that very few Amer
leans drink enough water, that the bad
| digestion, bad compositions, bad nerves OF
our city and town people are largely due
to the result OF not drinking sufficient
cold water. The system demands its full
allowance Of clear, cool, natural fluid in
order TO do its work properly, and break
last conee, luncheon chocolate and din
ner cocktails are not only bad substi-
tute, out worse Than none.
when the body is thirsty it's calling for
"ater' at ieast nail pint before breakfast,
another before going to bed and three
hslt fIn's curing the day, preferably not
at meals. IL is an exceliant plan every
morning ana night before drinking the
water, 10 rinse the mouth with solution
OF warm Weter anc oorsx. Just a pinch
OF powoef IN q nail tumoier OF water.
IL gives the water deiieiousiy fresh taste
oeslues s"eetening the mouth, hardening
the gums ana CLEANSING the teeth.
course OF this cold water treatment is
worth trying II just Tor sake OF hearty
appetite ana rosy cheeks. To get the
best Vaiue OF your enjrt you should ac-
company the cold water drinking with
daily morning cold bath.
Inc oath shouio De taken before the
drink, SO that there Is not the faintest
chance OF arresting even the simple pro-
cess OF dlgesting water. A cold bath Is
only success with an empty stomach.
"hi!e the water Is running In the tub
prepare ior the siignt shock oil the nrst
plunge ny taxing long oreaths at an open
winoow. wrapped In wool bath gown,
there VIII be no danger OF catching cold,
and two or three minutes long, slow In
haling and exhaling fresh air will start
the circulation SO that there is no hest
tstion about cold water bath, rather a
sense OF enjoyment OF it. But II at the
very start you should still be at all sensi-
tive to the straight cold plunge, stand at
the edge OF the tub, lean over, and dash
cold water over the fsee, arms, neck, chest
and throat. Dry thoroughly with crash
towel, aud plunge IN first one leg aud
then the other.
Alter week OF this sort OF temporizing
you will be able to take the straight
plunge. That is, of course, IL the room is
warm. A cold bath in a cold room may
be fine heroism for athletic boys, but is
more than likely to prove dangerous TO
the average woman who has not much
power OF reaction.
The daily tepid bath usually taken by
women In winter may be luxurious aud
cleansing, but 1t is no substitute for the
health giving power of the cold water.
It's the sting Of the cold that starts the
blood coursing through lungs and heart,
that warns the hands and feet. and sends
fine color to the cheeks. A cold bath
should be taken quickly, always followed
by brash towel rub and always in soft
water.
Much OF the value of the cold bath Is
lost II the water is hard, the pores are