Evening star., 1925-03-06
Benefit From Hot and Cold Baths
BY LYDIA LIE BARON WALKER

| to stand such rigorous treatment as
dip into it. The temperature of the
| water should be modified somewhat
not enough to prevent it's being &C
tually cold, but to temper It, so that
1t would be comparable to that OF
Midsummer ocean water into which
bathers SO delightedly plunge on hot
days. There should be a healthful
and glowing reaction after the plunge
| or shower.
Cold Baths.
1t should be remembered that cold
baths are not taken for cleanliness.
but for invigoration. They must be
supplemented with frequent warm
baths, when plenty of soap is used
and the skin is well rubbed and
washed. There are many people who
cannot stand such cold baths, just as
there are many who find sea bathing
does not agree with their constitu-
tions. For them other forms of bath
ing are necessary. I may add that
sea salt in crystal form, that is sold
at drug stores, may be added to either
cold or hot tubs to increase this idea
of salt water bathing, and also to
provide a further stimulant
When Hot Baths Are Best.
Hot baths are most frequently
taken on retiring. Since they are
relaxing and soothing, this is an ad-
mirable time to enjoy them. More
over, the heat opens the pores and
makes susceptible to colds a person
who ventures forth after taking such
n bath. If hot bath is taken in the
daytime, it is advisable to follow it
with a cold or nearly cold shower
just as a preventive against taking
colds.
When a person is nervously wrought
up, a hot bath will be found soothing,
because it relaxes the muscles and the
nerves, which are always at a tension
when one is annoyed, worried or dis
tressed. This is such a simple rem
edy nearly always available at the
time, or within a reasonably short
period, that it is surprising more peo-
pie do not take advantage of 1t.
Hot Baths Reducing.
When a person wishes to reduce, ex-
tremely hot baths are recommended.
Remaining in them quite while each
time is essential. Persons will find the
best results accrue If, after getting out
of the tub they wrap themselves in
rubber sheets and stay so wrapped for
while. This also induces perspira-
ton which is responsible for the loss of
weight. Always after such treatments
the persons must guard against
draughts and sudden change of tenn
perature, or they may take cold.
Showers of cold water will make them
immune. Turkish baths are wonderful
in their ability to remove impurities
from the system, and also in the mat
ter of reducing weight.
Emergency Remedy.
II either a child or an adult has a fall
or an accident that promises to result
in bruises or sore and tender places
on the body, there is no better emer-
gency remedy than bathing the injured
spot with water. Cold water or hot
will do, though nowadays cold water is
generally preferred. Intermittent ap-
plications of hot and cold water are best
of all, however, when the object is to
reduce swellings or prevent bruises.
The cold applications should be longer
than the hot in most instances. 1t
often happens that this treatment is all
that is needed.
The remedy for many things is
found in the correct use of hot or cold
water baths. and positive benefit, if not
actual cure, is possible. The remedy is
pleasant and the cost nothing.