Hot Springs of Virginia. 27 



After coming out of the bath, there is danger of 

 taking cold, and the benefit which might be received, 

 is often prevented or retarded by this circumstance. 

 Many seem to suppose, that the waters are to do 

 every thing, and that the use of them is to supercede 

 all other means and considerations. But this is so 

 far from being the case, that there is even more dan- 

 ger of taking cold after using this bath, than after a 

 warm bath of common water. To avoid cold, it is 

 necessary to go from the bath immediately to a close 

 room, and continue walking for a considerable time, 

 or else to go to bed. When the bath is used in the 

 evening, perhaps, it is always best to go directly to 

 bed. But as a most profuse perspiration, and of con- 

 siderable duration, is the certain consequence of this, 

 it ought not to be done more than a few times by any 

 except those who have a fixed rheumatism, or gout. 

 They, indeed, should do it daily : but as it weakens 

 the system very much, it is certainly to be avoided 

 where circumstances do not render it indispensible. 

 On the whole, one bathing in the morning, without 

 going to bed after it, is sufficient in most cases. And 

 in all cases to avoid a check of perspiration is to be 

 the subject of constant attention. After coming from 

 a warm room, exercise in the open air should be used 

 for some time. 



It is much to be regretted, that these Springs do 

 not belong to some person of activity and enterprise. 

 If they did, they would probably be the first watering- 

 place in America, and perhaps in the world. But 

 the property of them is in the hands of people who 



