142 FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 
\ See 
cere OF THE 
oa 
STEAM OR VAPOR BATH. 
** On the continent,” _says Dr. Combe, “ the 
t air baths 
are had recourse to, both 
ith and in the cure of disease, 
this country. Their use is attended by the very 
particularly. i in chronic ailments, and 
there ci be: po_ay uestion that ea action is 
chiefly on the skin, and ae s medium on 
ans - 
quently, in a variety of affections w vhich the en- 
couragement of these processes is.calculated to 
ve, they may be employed with’ every pros- 
pect of advantage. The prevalent fear of catch- 
ing cold, which deters many from using the 
d 
u 
analogy between its effects and those of profuse 
perspiration from exercise or illness. The a 
weakens the body, and by diminishing the powe 
of reaction, renders it susceptible of injury =a 
en changes of temperature. But the effect 
of the ie th, properly administered, is very 
different. hen not too warm or too long con- 
ad of ge the 
>a and ity exciting the vital action of the 
ise to a power of reaction which en- 
ny 
