The Washington times., 1914-06-19
Right and Wrong Methods Are
Explained by Physical Di-
rector c. E. Beckett, of the
Y. M. c. A. Gymnasium.
Average Bath Is Not Even a
Cleansing Process-Fresh
Air and Sun Baths HealthfuI
and Necessary, He Asserts.
Proper bathing is a science.

Proper bathing is a science.
Baths have many other func.
tions than simply to serpe as a
cleansing process. They may be
used as StimulantS, as seddtipeS, as
tonics, as health restorerS.
But the average bath is not even
q cleaning process, because it is
not properly performed. There
are right nays and wrong nays to
bathe. c. E. Beckett, physical
director of the Washington Y. M.
c. A., describes for Times readers
the beneficial, as well as the HARM,
ful, ways to take baths.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.
You have been tasing your bath daily
in your enameled tub. and. perhaps
you harbored a consciousness of su-
taken.
Perhaps you have been holding your
breath, shutting your eyes. and taking
a cold plunge into the chilly waters of
that same tub each morning under the
further impression you were employing
heroic methods to maintain your yigor
and prolong your life. There yeu have
been wrong again.
Proud as we are of our supposed
national cleanliness, we have yet to
earn the A, B. c. Of bathing, experts
declare. Not only have We failed TO
keep clean by bathing, but we have
failed to utilize the bath for such other
ueful purposes as refrigeration, as a
stimulation. as soothing influence, as a
tonic, as a sedative-and in a dozen
other ways the Romans realized and
put into daily practice.
But, letting that pass. the primary
purpose of bathing is to keep clean.
And there is where We have fallen
Of Physical Director Beckett, at the Y.
NJ. c. A. and before ne tells you how
TO exercise he will tell you how to
battle. For he. like other physical cul-
ture experts, considers proper bathing
a matter Of prime Importance.
How To Use the Plunge.
Bathing in a tub in the usual way
does not serve the purpose intended" {"
he said, because, when you get out
Of the water. you carry with you por-
tion Of the scum left on the surface.
That would not be so bad If the body
were rubbed thoroughly with = coarse
towel. but few persons stop to do that"
The great majority of persons spend
100 little time with the towel. and far
TOO much time in the tub, in Mr.. Beck
ett's opinion. He asserted that the prac-
tice OF reposing in a tub of warm or
hot water, and allowing the oody to
soak" not only fails to cleanse the
body. but 1t weakness the constitution
and leaves general feeling of lethargy
and lassitude.
Next to the misuse of the hot bath,
probably the greatest harm IS done by
Many persons believe morning cold
Nath is a sort OF preventative of every
0unIan i'll Because Tom Smith reports
DCnefits from such a procedure, John
! JOnes takes IL for granted the cold
plunge is the very thing for him. Jones
nay not get the same reaction as Smith.
IN that case. the cold bath, for Jones.
: most harmful II no immediate i'll
elects follow they are bound to arise
Iater ir life.
NO person should take a cold bath
Who does not feel a healthy reaction
sfterward. and who does not see a ruddy
slow to the skin after a vigorous rub
iown. II the skin is cold and clammy
then you may be sure the cold bath is
detrimental
Put the ideal bath is one which is