xii THE SKIN AND THE KIDNEYS 157 



contagious diseases of all kinds. It also increases the 

 digestive and assimilative powers in general. 



Baths may be classed as hot, warm, tepid, cool, and 

 cold water baths, depending upon the temperature of the 

 water used ; and as Turkish, Russian, Roman, mineral, 

 sea, and mud baths. The cold bath should be taken 

 the first thing in the morning or some time after break- 

 fast. Its chief value is in contracting the pores and blood 

 vessels of the skin and driving the blood to the internal 

 organs ; increasing the respiration ; diminishing the 

 pulse ; lowering the temperature ; and stimulating the 

 nervous system. Upon coming out of the bath a reaction 

 should follow at once. The capillaries dilate, the respira- 

 tion and heart beat become normal, the temperature rises 

 somewhat, causing a feeling of warmth and buoyancy. 

 This reaction may be hastened by rubbing the skin 

 vigorously with a rough towel. Many find a cold 

 sponge or shower bath preferable to a plunge, especially 

 during cold weather. A cold bath taken every morning 

 renders a person almost immune against colds which 

 are so common at certain seasons of the year. A 

 person not accustomed to the cold bath must exercise 

 great care in becoming habituated to it. 



The warm bath has a very different effect and is 

 taken at a different time and for quite another purpose. 

 It opens the pores and dilates the capillaries of tjie 

 skin ; forces the blood to the surface ; increases the 

 perspiration ; quickens respiration and the heart beat ; 

 raises the body temperature ; and soothes the nervous 

 system often to such an extent as to make the person 



