THE SKIN 



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the facilities at hand and by the health and natural vigor 

 of the bather. Severe chilling of the body should be 

 avoided, especially by those in delicate health. If a hot 

 bath is taken, one should dash cold water over the body 

 on finishing. One should then quickly dry and rub the 

 body with a coarse towel. The dash of cold water closes 

 the pores of the skin and lessens the liability of taking 

 cold. 



The Tonic Bath. The cold bath has been found to 

 have a beneficial effect upon the general health beyond its 

 effect upon the skin. When taken with care as to the 

 length of time and the degree of cold, decided tonic effects 

 are observed on the circulation and on the nervous system. 

 The rapid changes of temperature vigorously exercise the 

 non-striated muscles of the bloodvessels (page 57) and the 

 nerves controlling them. The irritability of the nervous 

 system in general is also lessened. For this reason the 

 cold bath is one of the best means of keeping both mind 

 and body in good condition during the warm months. 

 Sponging off the body with cold or tepid water before 

 retiring is also an excellent aid in securing sound sleep 

 during the hot summer nights. 



Danger from the cold bath arises through the shock to 

 the nervous system and the loss of heat from the body. 

 It is avoided by using water whose temperature is not too 

 low and by limiting the time spent in the bath. A brisk 

 rubbing with a coarse towel should always follow the cold 

 bath. People past middle age are, as a rule, not benefited 

 by the cold bath ; and those in delicate health, especially 

 if inclined toward rheumatism, are likely to be affected 

 injuriously by it. 



Care of the Complexion. A good complexion is a natu- 

 ral accompaniment of good health and depends primarily 



