The sponge bath has practically no value as a cleanser. Its chief virtue
consists in stimulating the circulation of the blood and the lymph in
the skin. In summer it is cooling. It is important to have good surface
circulation, but this can be attained as well by means of dry rubbing.
The rubbing is more important than wetting the skin. A skin that is
rubbed enough becomes so active that it practically cleans itself, and
it protects against colds and other diseases. Some advocate dispensing
with the bath entirely, but that is going to extremes. Cleanliness is
worth while for the self-respect it gives the individual.
Hot baths are weakening and relaxing, hence weak people should not stay
long in the hot bath. Cold baths are stimulating to strong people and
depressing to those who do not react well from them. Swimming is far
different from taking a cold bath. A person who can swim with benefit
and comfort for twenty minutes would have a chill, perhaps, if he
remained for five minutes in the bath tub in water of the same
temperature. Swimming is such an active exercise that it aids the
circulation, keeping the blood pretty well to the surface in spite of
the chilling effect of the water.
Pages:
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333