416 WA8HTUB-BATH. 



other powerful applications, it should be taken only after digestion 

 is nearly or quite gone through with. As a tonic to the stomach, 

 liver, bowels, womb, spine, etc., this bath is highly useful. In 

 constipation and other irregularities it is famous. Those of seden- 

 tary habits will find its use of rare service. For the tonic effect 

 it is taken ten to twenty or twenty -five minutes or more. If it is 

 continued some length of time, the water is to be changed once or 

 more, as it would otherwise become too warm. 



WASHTUB-BATH. 



Under a great variety of circumstances what may be called the 

 u washtub-bath " is an invaluable resort. For example, a patient 

 is feverish ; by seating him in a washtub half filled with water and 

 at the same time, if we choose, having his feet in a pail of water, 

 cold or warm, according to the case, we can give him any desir- 

 able amount of cooling. We cannot indeed too highly prize this 

 simple contrivance for using water a means which every family 

 possesses. 



THE AFFUSION. 



The patient stands in a wash-tub, bathing-tub, or other con- 

 venient place, when by means of a pail, pitcher or basin, the assis- 

 tant pours water upon the head, neck, etc., either upon the whole 

 of the body or only upon a part. The water is used in quantity 

 and temperature according to the necessities of the case. The 

 affusion is one of the best of hydropathic modes. Fifty years 

 ago, Dr. Currie, of England, performed great cures in fever by 

 the affusion, sometimes tepid, at others cold, according to the 

 strength and heat of the patient. If there was great neat the 

 water was used cold; if not, the reverse. In a variety of febrile 

 diseases, such as typhus-fever, scarlet-fever, small-pox, measles, 

 tetanus, convulsions, etc., he used this remedy with remarkable suc- 

 cess. 



TOWEL AND SPONGE-BATH. 



With one or two coarse towels and a quart or two of water we 

 may take a very good bath almost anywhere, even in a carpeted 

 room, at a hotel, or wherever we may be, without spilling a drop of 

 the water. After a person becomes accustomed to this form of ablu- 

 tion, none but the most indolent will be willing to do without it, 

 unless they can have some other form of bath. A daily towel ablu- 

 tion, thoroughly performed, is an excellent prevention against colds, 

 helps the appetite and digestion and is a good means of preventing 

 constipation. Some are in the habit of sitting in a half -bath, or a 

 sitz-tuo, and with a large sponge making the water pass freely upon 

 the head, neck, shoulders, and other parts of the body. At the same 

 time the bather may pour water from a cup, basin or pitcher, upon 



