7A HYGIENIC PHYSIOLOGY. 157 



35. Which should bathe the oftener, students or out- 

 door laborers? 



This depends entirely on circumstances the amount of ex- 

 ercise, the individual freedom and character of perspiration, the 

 state of the system, etc. Each case must be decided by itself. 



36. Is abundant perspiration injurious ? 



No. It removes impure matter from the system, and hence 

 may be beneficial. It may, however, weaken the body, and 

 frequent hot baths should therefore be taken only on suitable 

 medical advice. 



37. How often should the ablution of the entire body be 

 performed ? 



For the preservation of perfect health there should be daily 

 morning ablution in cold or cool water, using soap sparingly. 

 A warm or tepid bath, with a free application of soap, may 

 advantageously be taken once a week, followed by a dash of 

 cool water. It is well for children and delicate persons to 

 stand in warm water, having the cold water in an extra tub or 

 basin. They can then, with a large sponge, dash the cold 

 water freely over their bodies, and get the full tonic effect of 

 the cold bath without the coldness or discomfort which might 

 otherwise ensue. A cold bath should always be quickly per- 

 formed, accompanied by vigorous rubbing to insure the reac- 

 tion. Children especially should be thoroughly rubbed and com- 

 pletely dried. Above all, let the daily wash be a delight, and 

 not a dread, to the little ones. A reluctant bath, with a hasty 

 dismissal, leaving the skin wet, the blood chilled, and the spirits 

 depressed, not only inflicts upon the helpless and unhappy 

 child a needless misery, but will be likely to result in chapped 

 skin and chronic catarrh, if in nothing worse. 



38. Why is cold tvater better than warm for our daily 

 ablution ? 



(See Physiology, p. 64.) 



The daily repetition of the cold bath renders the system 

 less sensitive to changes in atmospheric temperature, the re- 

 verse being the case with the warm bath. Still, it should be 

 said that not every one is able to endure the cold bath. If the 



