St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1906-01-13
The Principle
and Practice
of Health ~
By EDWARD B. WARMAN
tAuthor Scientific Physical Training" For
mer Editor Health Department
Ladies Home JournaI)

Battle SOS Times Year-Cold Bath
Has No Detrimental Reaction for
| the Robust - Nervous People
Should Avoid the Hot Bath-Warm
Water Refreshes When One Is Fa-
tigued-Benefcial Effects Of Salt
Water, Turkish and Vapor Baths
Bathing as Preventive of Chill
dren's Skin Diseases-Don't Fol
low a Bath with Vigorous Rub
bing or Immediate Dressing.
If you want health. a clear COM
| plexion, system we'll toned, you
should make it an invariable rule to
take some kind OF bath not fewer
than 365 times year.
Tie temperature OF the bath? That
depends. If you are of vigorous
constitution-or wish to be, l would
advise a coldwater bath, providing
you have enough vitality for the neces-
sary reaction; if not, begin with luke
warm water, and have it less warm
each day, as the body gradually be-
comes accustomed 10 the change. The
water should be of a temperature to
suit the body, rather than the mind.
A certain Chicago doctor claims that
bathing Of any kind, especially with
soap, is detrimental He further
claims that consumption may be cured
and also prevented by non-bathing.
There are thousands of people Oazy
people) that will rise up and call that
doctor blessed. His legitimate sphere
is among the weary Willies.''
Bathing. daily bathing, is necessary
to obtain the very lest bodily condi-
lions. Health requires that the four
eliminating agents of the body (lungs,
kidneys, bowels, skim should be kept
normally active. Deep breathing is
essential to the first; water, inside and
outside, for the three remaining agents.
Cold-Water Bath.
a cold bath is always stimulating,
and has no detrimental reaction for
one who is sufficiently robust to take
it. If you are obliged to exercise after
bathing for the purpose Of getting
warm, it is sure Indication that your
vitality is too low for such bath.
This applies with equal force to the
matter of dressing Immediately after
bathing.
When the cold water comes in con-
tact with the skin, the superficial blood
vessels contract ana the blood is
driven to the internal organs. and the
temperature there is raised while the
temperature at the surface is tempo
rarily lowered. Then when the reac
ton takes place "a healthful reaction).
the skin vessels dilate, the blood
rushes back to them, and the bather
experiences a pleasant glow over the
entire body A coldwater bath in
a cold room is positive 1uxury-for
one who is vital plus.
Hot-Water Bath.
A hot-water BATH as rule, should
be avoided, especially by those that
are nervous. While it is a powerful
stimulant of the nervous and vascu-
lar system. it is usually followed with
strong reaction The fibrous ends of
the nerves, extending over the surface
of the body, are thrown into state
of excitement, and so-called nervous
leakage follows. Should you insist
upon taking a hot-wdter bath. it should
be taken Immediately before retiring.
If taken during the day, do not fail
to follow it with a plunge, or at least.
dash of cold water. Be neither over
warm nor chilled when passing from
the bath to the outer air. A hot-water
bath being reducer, it may be de-
sired by the very 'oDese,' but the thin,
spare person should avoid it.
Warm Water Bath.
A warm-water or tepid bath is high
ly recommended for those that cannot
take cold bath. The effect is sootb-
ing, the blood flowing into the relaxed
superficial vessels Of the skin, and
thereby increasing its functions. AS
heat facilitates the bodily functions,
a warm bath will often do more to
freshen a fatigued person than long
er time spent in sleep. If the bath be
only moderately warm (tepid), it acts
as sedative to the nervous system
Those who take the cold bath daily
should take warm bath, with soap,
at least once a week, for the sake of
cleanliness.
Saltwater Bath.
This form of bath may be taken
warm, tepid, or cold; preferably the
last 1t has an exhilarating intiu-
ence, tones up the entire system, and
gives to the skin healthful glow that
amply repays for the time and trou-
BILE involved. Bathc the entire body
not emitting the hands, face and
neck. AS winter cath it is an excel
lent preventive of colds, and also an
excellent substitute Cor face cosmetics;
ne chapping, no clogging of the pores,
no roughness of the skin will annoy
the person who Systematically and
regularly takes the saltwater bath.
OF course no soap shoulG be used at
the time of using the salt.
If taken in the summer, rinse the
body each time, with clear water; in
winter, only once a week when using
warm water and soap. Use table salt,
rock salt or sea-sal:. The latter con-
tains medicinal properties not found
in the other two. Place in the bath
tub about two double handfuls of the
salt. and mix thoroughly. If bath
tub is not available, place nearly a
single handful in basin or bowl Of
water. No sponge or cloth is needed
Just the hands.
Turkish Bath
If one would revel in the luxury Of |