Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08
HINTS FOR BATHERS.
Inexperienced Persons Overstay Their
Time in the Water.

From the New York Herald
With the opening of the city baths and
the exodus to the seashore the bathing
season has fairly commenced How to get
the most out of a good thing is the main
consideration. For such as are accustomed
to daily immersion the year round no ad-
vice Is necessary to such an end. With
the majority of enthusiastic bathers the
case Is different. The temptation to over
indulgence is oftentimes too hard to resist
II any one doubts It he be duly con-
WINGED by witnessing the prevalent prac-
tees on the various sea beaches
All the hygienic rules for healthful i'm
mersion are constantly violated This Is
especially so with the novice, who quite
| naturally desires to prove his hardihood by
most foolish ventures. He invariably re-
mains too long In the water and too long
on the shore In his bathing suit. These are
such radical changes of his ordinary habits
that he is sure to suffer In the long run.
The real benefits of good swim are COM
passed In a very few minutes. The sea-
shore Is. of course, the ideal place and the
sea water the ideal medium. but the pru-
dent bather who is after the most benefit
must know when to dive and when to come
out. Frequently repeated dips are never re-
quired.
The main thing is the speedy reaction af-
ter the plunge 1t Is this that gives the
cold bath in any form its invigorating
charm. When such an effect is produced
the plunge has accomplished its full pur-
pose.
There Is nothing gained by the soaking
process. The salt In the water does moth
ing more than temporarily stimulate the
skin, but is never absorbed by Il. The av-
erage amount of saline ingredients in sea
water is only about per cent in any event.
1t is not so much, then. what is In the wa
ter as the cold plunge, the contact OF the
waves and breakers. the fresh air and
glorious sunshine. Reaction Is promoted
by the impact of the waves and by the ex-
ercise of swimming. The good swimmer
has thus a great advantage over the one
who merely hobs up and down while cling
Ing to the safety rope.
The duration of the bath must always be
limited to the period OF reaction, but pro-
Ioneed chilliness In any form Is to be
avoided. The purely hygienic reasons for
this need not be stated. The skin merely
shows its inability to resist the contact of
cold water or cold air. To guard against
taken when overheated, fatigued or ex-
hausted. For like reason 1t is advised
that the plunge does the most good imme-
diately after rising.
of the stomach. All medical authority Is
against immersion after a full meal, as
colo and cramps are most apt to follow
Above all. one should not stand around
after having been In the water. Even the
warmest sun cannot always prevent
shiyering 1T when the immediate effects or
reaction have passed. Oftener the air Is so
much cooler than the water that a vigor-
Gus rub and quick dressing are necessary
to prevent dangerous congestion OF internal
organs. But how often these rules are vio-
lated at all our health resorts! witness.
for instance. the numbers OF haif ciad,
shiyerinR lounzers strewn everywhere over
the sand and cease to wonder why most or
these are invalided for life insconsequence.