588 Of the Salubrity of Warm Bathing. 



dinner on those days when I bathed than on those 

 when I did not bathe, and also that I had a better 

 digestion and better spirits, and was stronger to endure 

 fatigue, and less sensible to cold in the afternoon and 

 evening. 



As these favourable results appeared to be quite reg- 

 ular and constant, I was induced to proceed to a more 

 decisive experiment. I now began to bathe every 

 second day, and, finding that all the advantageous 

 effects which I had before experienced from warm 

 bathing still continued, I was encouraged to go one 

 step further, and I now began to bathe every day. 



This experiment was thought to be very hazardous 

 by many persons at Harrowgate, and even by the 

 physician, who did not much approve of my proceed- 

 ings ; but as no inconvenience of any kind appeared to 

 result from it, and as I found myself growing stronger 

 every day, and gaining fresh health, activity, and spirits, 

 I continued the practice, and actually bathed every day 

 at two o'clock in the afternoon for half an hour in a 

 bath at the temperature of 96° and 97° of Fahren- 

 heit's scale, during thirty-five days. 



The salutary effects of this experiment were per- 

 fectly evident to all those who were present and saw 

 the progress of it, and the advantages I received from 

 it have been permanent. The good state of health 

 which I have since enjoyed I ascribe to it entirely. 

 But it is not merely on account of the advantages 

 which I happened to derive from warm bathing which 

 renders me so warm an advocate for the practice. 

 Exclusive of the wholesomeness of the warm bath, the 

 luxury of bathing is so great, and the tranquil state of 

 mind and body which follows it is so exquisitely de- 



