158 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY CHAP. 



drowsy and sleepy. When the muscles feel sore, as 

 after severe physical exertion, a warm bath will afford 

 almost immediate relief. Those who find it difficult to 

 go to sleep may find a warm bath just before retiring 

 very helpful. 



The tepid and cool bath have no special physiologic 

 virtue and are taken for the purpose of cleansing the 

 skin. The other baths are generally employed for 

 their medical effects, when recommended by a physician, 

 and need not be discussed here. 



Many suppose the sea bath to possess wonderful 

 virtues. The novelty, change of scene, fresh, pure 

 ocean air, together with the cheerfulness with which 

 seashore life is accompanied, go far to make up the 

 advantages said to come from sea-bathing. 



The soap used in bathing serves to dissolve the 

 grease and oil, and so is necessary to a thorough cleans- 

 ing. Any good toilet soap may be safely employed by 

 most persons. The so-called medicated soaps possess 

 little virtue. 



The best time to take a bath is a short time before a 

 meal or from three to four hours after it. The very 

 strong can take a bath any time of day, but most persons 

 must exercise some judgment in the matter. Those 

 who take a cold bath will find it most invigorating in 

 the morning ; it should never be taken after fatiguing 

 exercise or just before retiring. Both the kind and 

 time of bathing are subject to wide individual differ- 

 ences and should be adapted to the age, occupation, and 

 general health and temperament of the person. No 



