234 



PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH. 



with these, this very grateful and invigorating ablution can 

 always be performed on getting out of the bed. 



565. The cold bath is most conveniently taken as soon 

 as one gets out of his bed. It is best to take it when one is 

 warm, when there is sufficiency of heat to bear the shock 

 and to produce the reaction. This bath should not be so 

 long continued in winter as materially to reduce the heat 

 and energies of the circulation in the skin; and immediately 

 after it the surface should be dried and rubbed until the re- 

 action commences. The exercise necessary for this rubbing, 

 which the bather should do for himself, and the friction on 

 the surface, excite the circulation, and produce a very pleas- 

 ant glow of warmth upon the whole frame. 



566. None need this bath more than the most industri- 

 ous laborers, who have the greatest demand for their strength, 

 and therefore need to take the greatest pains to develop it. 

 Yet it is generally urged by them, as a reason for the neg- 

 lect of this duty, that their avocations allow them no time 

 for this, and, however well it may do for the wealthy and the 

 men of leisure, it cannot be performed by the poor and labo- 

 rious, who are always in haste in the morning to go to their 

 work. This is certainly a mistake of calculation. The me- 

 chanic considers no time lost that he devotes to putting his 

 machine in good order ; and the wagoner thinks it an advan- 

 tageous disposition of his time to rub and curry his horses 

 faithfully. Both of these believe that they will be enabled to 

 accomplish so much the more for this preparatory care. So 

 it is with the laborer's body. In order that it should be able 

 to accomplish the most work, it must be put in the best 

 working order ; and this is done, in part, by cleansing the 

 skin of all impurities, unloading it of its burdens, and so pre- 

 paring it for its functions that its work will not only go on 

 well during the day, but contribute its portion to the general 

 health and the muscular power. 



567. This cold bathing is a general rule, but not a uni- 

 versal one for mankind ; for some cannot take it with safety. 

 If the body is in full health, and the circulation vigorous, 



