Norwich bulletin., 1913-08-30
ECHbES FROM THE LODGE ROOM
Elks WL Begin Busy Season-Dr C. C. Giderseeve Gave Hsalth Talk Before Norwich Grange-Neopians Going toField Day at the Golden Spur-Grand Army Trip to Chattanooga
PATRONS OF AussANpRY.

v PATRONS OF HUs5ANDRY.
 At tha meeting of Norwich grange, Nc. 172l last Wednesday evening in Pythian hall. Dr. c. c, Gildersleeve accepted an invitation to give medi- cal talk and entertained and instructed the members with paper upon san itation of the Body.
 He said in part
 The literature for the layman per taining to personal hygelne IS In great measure unsatisfactory and ir- responsible. Many of the so- o-called health books are of questionable au- thorship, often the compilation of layman. perhaps an amateur patholo- gist. an inaccurate physiologist moralist of vague opinions with, un fortunately. a tendency to cater to the prurient. Such books make hy pochondriacs of their readers and if they include advice as to self treat ment they may do great harm It is the duty of physicians to correct any morbid attitude of their clientele. We should not have every man his own physician" as seems often the object in lectures, periodicals, and books re- lating to health. rather give every man fundamental Knowledge that will en- able him to understand and if neces- sary. formulate. the requisate rules for health and to distinguish sclenuhc medicine from quackery. Stripped of its superfluous technicalities, this knowledge may and should be i'm parted to every one of average intel1- gence and education, and it is desir- able that more literature and personal explanation in this direction should come from the American Medical Pro- fession. The subject is much too inn portant to be left entirely i'll the hands of lay teachers and writers.
 Care of the Skin.
 A healthful condition of the skin depends largely upon judicious diet ary systematic exercise, regular bath ing and proper clothing. l will speak at this time only upon the subject of bathing as dietary. exercise and cloth ing will come later. For practical purposes baths may be described as cold, below 65 degrees; warm 909S degrees: tepid SO-90 degrees
 Cold baths are stimulent, should be taken before breakfast and soon after arising. A cold sponge bath is very good thing and next in value to the shower bath or tub, Most persons can take a cold bath if they become accustomed to it gradually. For those advanced in years or any person with weakened blood vessels. cold baths are not indicated. If after a cold bath the body is thoroughly rubbed with a rough towel. a reaction follows and the bather experiences a sensation of warmth and general well being, cold baths are all right for him, but con- traindicated if this reaction does not take place. Warm baths have an eX- Ghremely soothing effect on the ner- vous system and for this reason are taken at night before retiring. After @n unusual amount of physical labor, when the muscles are sore and aching, Eothing is more welcome or soothing than a warm bath. Never, when weary, take cold bath at night. A hot bath over sS degrees, should meyer be taken, except upon the advice of a physician. A tepid bath is generally employed for cleans ing purposes. and may be taken at any time though preferably in the af- ternoon or just before bed time and should be taken oftener than once a year as did a patient we received in the hospital The proper time to oathe is just before a meal or about three hours after In order to digest food the stomach needs an abundant supply of blood to form its necessary juices and ferments, and if blood is diverted from the stomach to the sur face of the body by means of a bathe the digestion will necessarily suffer.
 People, should not remain in the water until their fingers and lips are blue and teeth are chattering. Ten to twenty minutes is long enough. Convalescents and persons with or ganic disease sould only bath in sea water when under medical supervision. Turkish, Russian and other baths are not within the scope of their dis cussion. Some people suffer from baths-prurits or itching this is gen. erally due to an irritable skin or ner- vous or digestive disturbances. For such people the bath should be of short duration-the skin dried gently without friction and some dustion powder like starch and zinc oxide ap- piled freely to the skin. In practice, I have often found that adults insist upon bathing and scrubbing children, infants especially too much and themselves too little. If were to build me a house and could not afford both a bath room and a parlor, I'd give up the parlor The face should be daily bathed with cold water as it stimulates the blood vessels and inn proves the circulation. Using hot water upon the face and then under going exposure to cold air and wind has A decided tendency to produce chapping and roughening of the slxin Therefore, young ladies. to keep the chaps away, bathe face with cold wa ter. If the skin is unnaturally dry, grease Qike cold cream) may be used With perfect freedom and without dan- ger of injury. If you will powder your