THE SKIN. 233 



The bathers, covered with the steam, sit on benches until 

 they break out with a profuse sweat. Then they are washed 

 with soap suds, and next buckets full of warm water, and 

 lastly of cold water, are poured upon the head. Sometimes 

 the Russians will run from this steam bath and plunge into 

 a bank of snow, and feel no injury; on the contrary, a. com- 

 fortable glow of heat comes from the vigorous circulation, 

 which the cold of the snow stimulates.* 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Cold Bathing. Sponge Bath. The most Laborious need Daily 

 Bath. Some cannot bear Cold Bath. 



563. IF the health is good, and the body^is full of animal 

 heat, the cold bath answers the purpose of health in summer ; 

 and if used with energy and perseverance, it is also sufficient 

 for winter. It is an excellent habit of some to take a cold 

 bath every morning, both winter and summer, not omitting 

 it even in the coldest weather. Those who do this find it 

 not only very endurable, but they usually enjoy a glow 

 throughout all the surface afterwards. So far from suffering 

 from cold, the reaction of the cutaneous circulation produces 

 an increase of heat, and they are made the warmer by this 

 ablution. 



564. It is desirable that every one should be able to take, 

 daily, a plunge bath. But this is impossible for all. The 

 convenience of a large bathing tub cannot be provided in 

 every house. Yet a good substitute is within the reach 

 of all. The sponge bath is very easily taken, and requires 

 but a very limited and simple apparatus. Provide a large 

 wash-bowl and a piece of extra carpet, which should receive 

 the drops that fall to the floor, or, what is much better, a 

 large tin basin in shape of a hat, with a shallow crown and 

 very broad brim, and then a soft towel for wiping, and a 

 crash towel for friction. These are all that are needed, and 



* Bell, Chap. II. 



20* 



