THE INTEGUMENT, OR SKIN 65 



26. Time and Manner of Bathing. A person in sound health 

 may take a bath at almost any time, except directly after a full 

 meal. The most appropriate time is about three hours after a 

 meal, the noon-hour being probably the best. For the cold 

 bath, taken rapidly, no time is better than immediately after 

 rising. Those beginning the use of cold baths should first try 

 them at 70 Fahrenheit, and gradually use those of a lower 

 temperature. From five to twenty minutes may be considered 

 the proper limit of time to remain in a bath ; but a sensation 

 of chilliness is a signal to withdraw instantly, whether at 

 home, or at the sea-side. Two sea-baths may be taken daily ; 

 one of any other kind is sufficient. 



27. The body should be warm, rather than cold, when step- 

 ping into the bath ; and after it, the skin should be thoroughly 

 dried with a coarse towel. It is best to continue friction until 

 there is a sensation of warmth or " glow " throughout the entire 

 surface. This reaction is the test of the good effects of the 

 bath. If reaction is still incomplete, a short walk may be 

 taken, especially in the sunshine. It is very congenial, how- 



the age, sex, and constitutional strength of the bather. Due regard should 

 also be had to the state of the weather and season of the year. 



"In the case of children, five, gradually extended to ten minutes ; of 

 women, ten to fifteen minutes ; and of men, a quarter of an hour or more, 

 is a fair average period. There are some people, doubtless, to whom 

 these periods will appear insufficient, and who insist on remaining so long 

 in the water that their skin becomes cold and blue, their teeth begin to 

 chatter, and a condition of general exhaustion comes on ; people, in short, 

 who have the ' most ' for their money, like the countryman who grumbled 

 at having been conveyed thirty miles in about half-an-hour by an express 

 train, on the score that the length of time occupied in the journey was 

 not proportionate to the fare that he had paid. On entering the water, 

 the bather should immerse the whole of the body two or three times, so 

 as to get the action of the shock from the cold water distributed over its 

 entire surface. There should be no hesitancy, no dabbling about with 

 the feet, but a good plunge at once into the next wave that washes in. 

 Upon coming out of the water the bather should dry the body with good 

 rough towels, dress quickly, and take a brisk walk for a short distance. 

 If there be any feeling of exhaustion or nervous depression, a little food 

 or drink should be taken." 



26. What is said as to the time and manner of bathing ? 



2T. Condition of the body when bathing ? Direction, after bathing ? 



