BATHING. 233 



mer complaint." During the warm summer nights we are 

 tempted to go to sleep with very little covering over our 

 bodies. But it almost always grows cool before morning. 

 The common summer diarrhea is, in many cases, due to bac- 

 teria taken in food ; but, on the other hand, may be simply a 

 " cold in the bowels." 



Bathing. One purpose of bathing is to cleanse the skin. 

 For this purpose warm water is best ; and it is desirable to use 

 soap, especially on those parts which are especially exposed to 

 contamination, such as the hands and feet, the armpits and 

 groins. 



Another important function of bathing is to act as a sys- 

 temic tonic. For this purpose cold bathing is better ; but this 

 should not be too long continued, and must be followed by 

 brisk friction to give the skin a ruddy glow. For this kind of 

 bath a tub is not necessary, and hardly desirable. The water 

 may be quickly applied by means of a sponge, arid the body 

 thoroughly rubbed with a coarse towel. The whole process 

 should be completed very quickly, especially if the room be 

 not warm. 



Instead of the sponge and the ordinary form of towel, it 

 may be found more convenient to use bath mits made of Turk- 

 ish toweling. These are easily made, and are somewhat more 

 convenient, as thus friction may be more readily applied than 

 with a towel, which is apt to slip in the hand. The two 

 hands may be used at the same time, and the whole time of 

 the bath need not exceed two or three minutes. At the be- 

 ginning of a bath, cold water should be applied to the head 

 and face. 



For students, or others who do not take a great deal of 

 vigorous exercise, which keeps the skin active, this means 

 of keeping the skin active is especially valuable. The use of 

 warm water for cleansing seems best adapted (for busy people) 



