VAPOUR-BATH. 77 



an active remedy in disease, is most certain. Instead 

 of being dangerous by causing liability to cold, it is, 

 when well managed, so much the reverse, that the 

 author of these pages has used it much and suc- 

 cessfully for the express purpose of diminishing 

 such liability, both in himself and others with whom 

 the chest is delicate. In his own instance, in par- 

 ticular, he is conscious of having derived much ad- 

 vantage from its regular employment, especially in 

 the colder months of the year, during which he has 

 uniformly found himself most effectually strength- 

 ened against the impression of cold, by repeating 

 the bath at shorter intervals than usual. 



In many manufactories where warm water is 

 always obtainable, it would be a very great advan- 

 tage to have a few baths erected for the use of the 

 operatives. Not only would these be useful in pro- 

 moting health and cleanliness, but they would, by 

 their refreshing and soothing influence, diminish the 

 craving for stimulus which leads so many to the gin- 

 shop ; and, at the same time, calm the irritability of 

 mind so apt to be induced by excessive labour. 

 Where the trade is dirty, as many trades necessarily 

 are, it is needless to say how conducive to health 

 and comfort a tepid bath would be on quitting it for 

 the day. 



On the Continent, the vapour and hot air-baths 

 are had recourse to, both as a means of health and 

 in the cure of disease, to an infinitely greater extent 

 than they are in this country. Their use is attended 

 by the very best effects, particularly in chronic ail- 

 ments, and there can be no question that their action 

 is chiefly on the skin, and through its medium on 

 the nervous system. As a means of determining to 

 the surface, promoting cutaneous exhalation, and 

 equalizing the circulation, they are second to no 

 remedy now in use ; and consequently, in a variety 

 of affections which the encouragement of these 

 processes is calculated to relieve, they may be em- 

 O9 



