850 MODUS OPERANDI OF THE 



writers, that it operates by producing reaction. 

 But they seem to have overlooked the fact, that 

 in moderation, it augments the process of respi- 

 ration, on which reaction entirely depends, as 

 proved by the pleasurable glow of warmth that 

 pervades the system shortly after leaving the 

 bath. The consequence of which is, that a greater 

 amount of caloric passes through the body in a 

 given time, and all the functions of life are pro- 

 portionally invigorated, for the same reason that 

 they are more active during winter than summer, 

 and more so in temperate than in hot climates. 

 I have also shown, that besides the influence of 

 cold in augmenting respiration, it has the imme- 

 diate effect of increasing the nutritive process, es- 

 pecially during very warm weather, or whenever 

 the temperature of the solids is raised nearly to 

 an equilibrium with that of the arterial blood. 

 Hence the importance of cold applications to the 

 head and general system during fever, when the 

 nutritive process is greatly diminished. 



It must not, however, be forgotten, that among 

 young children, the aged, and all persons of de- 

 licate and feeble constitutions, the mortality is 

 much greater in temperate climates during winter 

 than summer, by which we are instructed to 

 observe great caution in the employment of the 

 cold bath in such cases. I have had repeated 

 proofs that the temperature of strong and active 

 young men is reduced from 3 to 4 in about ten 



