862 HENRY A. MATTILL 



retention took place, but with great individual variation, depending also 

 on the bathing procedure and on the amount of liquid ingested. As to 

 the nitrogen distribution in the urine, ammonia runs parallel with total 

 nitrogen though slightly below proportionate amounts (Linser and 

 Schmid; Schilling; Formanek(a)). Phosphoric acid also parallels 

 nitrogen. There may be a very slight though not marked increase in 

 purin bodies. The hydrogen ion concentration of the urine is increased by 

 15-20 minutes of heating in a sweat cabinet (Talbert(&)). Urinary de- 

 terminations alone are not sufficient since in conditions of overheating the 

 amount of sweat and its solid content are greatly increased. 



The effects of very hot baths (105-110 F.) on pulse and blood pres- 

 sure were investigated by Hill and Flack. After 15-20 minutes in such a 

 bath body temperature rose 4-6 F., pulse increased to 160 and blood 

 pressure fell 60, thus confirming earlier observations (Bain, Edgecombe 

 and Frankling). They also verify previous findings as to increased 

 respiratory frequency and volume (Edgecombe and Bain) accompanied 

 by a notable fall in carbon dioxi,d tension with corresponding rise in 

 oxygen tension. An increased systolic pressure during a hot bath was 

 obtained by Strassburger(a), the hotter the bath the greater the final rise, 

 which he considered due to increased work of the heart. The pulse vol- 

 ume (Schapals) and the heart volume (Beck and Dohan) are decreased. 

 The viscosity of the blood is said to be decreased (Hess, W.) and certain 

 of the antibodies have showed slight increase after various forms of heat 

 treatment (Laqueur), but these changes are probably as transient as are 

 the more readily determined variations. The non-protein nitrogen content 

 of the blood in nephritis is not reduced by sweat baths (Austin 

 and Miller). The oxidation of benzol to phenol in the organism is, ac- 

 cording to Siegel, greatly accelerated by sweating processes, also by cold 

 baths and by salt water baths more than by ordinary baths at the same 

 temperature. The effect extended beyond the period of treatment, but 

 there was great individual variation. It is stated that hot baths increase 

 the secretion of bile (Kowalski) and that hot poultices or packs induce a 

 secretion of gastric hydrochloric acid (Penzoldt(a)). It has long been 

 known that the hyperemia produced by local application of heat accelerates 

 absorption (Sassezky). 



The Influence of Mechanical and Chemical Stimulation 

 Accompanying Baths 



Under this heading will be considered the effect of mechanical 

 factors in the application of baths in ordinary water, and the mechanical 

 and chemical stimuli arising from the presence of gases, salts and other 

 substances in the bathing water. 





