The Skin and the Kidneys 197 



A cold bath which is not followed by reaction is likely 

 to do more harm than good. The lack of this reaction may 

 be due to the water being too cold, the bath too prolonged, 

 or to the bather being in a low condition 

 of health. The ruddy glow which fol- 

 lows a cold bath is the main indication 

 of its favorable influence. After taking 

 a bath the skin should be vigorously 

 rubbed dry with a rough towel, and the 

 clothing at once put on. FlG> Io6 . Epithe ii a i 



^ 299. Precautions in taking a Cold Bath. Cells from the 

 A daily cold bath, when the body is com- Sweat Gland s- 

 fortably warm, is a safe tonic for almost < The cells ar <; very f: 



* . tinct, with nuclei 



all persons during the summer months. enclosing pigmentary 

 It should not be indulged in after severe granulations.- Magni- 



. o e< * 35 times> ) 



exercise or great fatigue. Serious results 



have ensued from cold baths taken when the body was in 



a state of exhaustion or of profuse perspiration. Cold baths, 



taken regularly, render persons who are susceptible to colds 



much less liable to them, and less likely to be disturbed by 



sudden changes of temperature. 



J 300. Additional Hints on Bathing. Outdoor bathing 



should not be indulged in for at least an hour after a full 



meal. Except for the robust, it is not prudent to bathe 



with the stomach empty. 



Hot baths, if taken at bedtime, are often serviceable in 

 preventing a tKreatened cold or in cutting it short, especially 

 if the patient goes immediately to bed, with extra clothing 

 and hot drinks. The free perspiration induced helps to 

 break up the cold. 



The golden rule of all bathing is that it must never 

 be followed by a chill. If chilliness occur after bathing, 

 it must immediately be broken up by some appropriate 



