The Washington herald., 1912-07-15
CULTIVATE BATHING.

II takes cultivation to appreciate
q bath as truly as to enjoy a paint
ing. Curious that in an age when con-
veniences for bathing are common az
street lamps there is not the most dis
tant need OF warning devout souls
against too great indulgence in the pleas
ures OF the bath. which the church found
necessary in the Middle Ages. Bathing
was then allowed to the devout as
grudgingly as a prohib!tionist would
permit alcohol in case OF Illness. and
as many good reasons were alleged
against the external use of water once
as they are against the inward use Of
ardent spirits to-day.
The bath has many more benefits
besides laundering our garment of skin.
Change OF temperature from heat TO
cold refreshes. A hot bath in winter
finished by a cold plunge or sponge will
heat and stimulate the body so as to
enable It to bear weather better for
daya
Few women understand the necessity
of two baths daily for freely perspiring
persons in hot weather. to clear the
pores and to cool the body morning and
night.
Prostrations from heat would be un-
known IL this were the habit OF ali
classes, especially Of working women
who perspire freely.
The bath as a means of physical de-
velopment hardly begins to be UNDER
stood. A properly fitted bath room is
not second to a gymnasium as a means
of physical perfection. People, especially
men, take their baths too much by
theory. The rigid disciplinarian takes
baths in cold water the year around as
a corporeal benefit and a protest against
weakness Of the flesh.
Some nervous, conscientious women
endure this cold bath regime hoping to
harden and strengthen themselves. Some
intudlcious parents compel their inno-
cent, fearful children to take cold baths,
never dreaming of the mischief done.
Many cases Of hysteria. epilepsy, and
paralysis have been the result of
hardening children in their infancy. II
the cold bath or shower frightens
child. II there is catching of the breath
or tremor empty the bath al once and let
in the warm water till the child Is glad
to get in and play in 1t.
II you want to give a girl a weak
constitution by all means insist on the
various systems OF discomfort which ex-
cellent persons consider improving.
A woman of delivate constitution told
me thol iooh4Hs udCh u
she could hardly remember being COM
Portable as she was forced to bathe in
cold water every morning and to wear
flannels winter and summer. She was
forbidden to go near a fire for fear Of
getting tender and was Obliged to sleep
and dress in icy bedrooms Instead Of
hardening she Is to-day a delicate wo-
man living in constant dread of tubercu-
Icss.
DR.. Shoemaker says all persons he has
known who boasted of breaking a Aim
Of ice to take Their bath died early yet
they probably felt good reaction at the
time. 1t is doubtful II any sane person
allowed free choice ever persisted In cold
bathing which left him chilly. 1t is safe
to take a cold bath only when 1t is abso-
lutely delicious in anticipation and actual
enjoyment. The bath Is woman's best
antidote for pain when taken warm. 1t
Is tonic for her strength and preser-
vative of youth and freshness
Remember: You may drive a child to
cold water, but can't compel 1t to jump
Id