Notes on Sea Bathing, &c. 



167 



dence has much to do with the development of this fondness, 

 and access to the sea or to salt-water is a most powerful 

 attraction. 



Several different circumstances combine to afford explana- 

 tion of the well-known fact that it is far more invigorat- 

 ing to bathe in the sea than in fresh-water. In ponds, 

 lakes, and shallow rivers the water is much influenced by the 

 sun, and in summer it is often almost tepid. Boys will bathe 

 several times in the day, or remain in, as Wordsworth has 

 recorded of his own boyhood, half the afternoon. Such bath- 

 ing, however pleasant, is probably the reverse of health- 

 giving. The sea, on the other hand, is always cold enough — 

 at any rate, in the English climate — to give a little shock, to 

 be followed, under favouring conditions, by healthy reaction. 

 Its temperature changes but little with season, and unless the 

 shore be very extensive and flat, the summer's sun does not 

 very definitely warm it. Although this fact entails the greater 

 need for the exercise of judgment and self-control as to staying 

 in, it is the main secret of its beneficial effects. In addition 

 there is the presence of salt, which acts as a slight irritant 

 and stimulates the circulation in the skin ; and we must also 

 mention the dash of the waves and the alternate immersion 

 and exposure of the upper part of the body, thus occasioning a 

 succession of little shocks. But the temperature is the main 

 thing, as any one may convince himself who has access for 

 bathing to really cold spring water. The latter, although 

 without salt, will refresh him almost as much as the sea. 



From the statement of the fact that it is the shock of the 

 cold which is chiefly beneficial, there follows obviously the 

 rule that it must not be too prolonged. Bathing for pleasure 

 is one thing, for health quite another. So far as health is 

 concerned the bathe can scarcely be too soon over. Much 

 harm is done by staying too long in. It is, we repeat, the 

 shock of the cold which does good, and if the immersion is 

 continued until chilliness is felt there is risk of internal con- 

 gestions and many forms of mischief. 



