Personal hygiene and physical training for womenGalbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Science
Personal hygiene and physical training for women
Galbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Physical education and training; Women -- Health and hygiene
To prolong the effect of the bath the patient may be put to
bed wrapped up in her blankets. In cold weather it is a good
precautionary measure to have the bed heated with hot-water bottles,
in order to prevent chilling.
=Salt Ablution.=—As the name indicates, this is a salt-water bath,
and the best results are obtained by using a saturated solution,
which is in the proportion of 1 pint of salt to 1 gallon of water.
Sea-salt is the best, but, if that cannot be obtained, ordinary salt
may be used.
If there is no bath-tub in the house an ordinary wash-bowl may be
used, but the bath is most effective when taken in the tub. The salt
and water are put in a papier-mâché pail, which is placed at the foot
of the tub. The chilliness which might be caused by sitting on the
cold porcelain is avoided by placing a heavy folded bath-towel on
the bottom of the tub. In cold weather the tub should be previously
heated by allowing the hot water to run in.
The salt water feels very much colder than plain water at the same
temperature. It is well to begin with a temperature of from 90° to
85° F., and gradually lower the temperature until 70° F. is reached.
The water is applied by means of a Turkish wash-towel, accompanied
by vigorous friction, beginning with the face and neck, arms, legs,
back, and, lastly, the chest and abdomen are gone over. After that,
the water is dashed over the entire body, and is followed by a brisk
toweling and friction with the hands or hair glove. The salt water
should not be washed off, except in those rare cases where it causes
a disagreeable sensation; it is then removed by the use of the hot
followed by the cold shower, as previously directed.
_Indications for Its Use._—It is an excellent nerve tonic in cases
of depression with loss of appetite, insomnia, etc., also in anemia
and neurasthenia. In this class of cases it is best taken in the
afternoon, on rising from the siesta, and just before dressing for
dinner. It is especially refreshing in the hot weather.
Its use is contraindicated under the same conditions that other cold
baths are, and must never be taken when the bather has a tendency to
chilliness.
The various kinds of baths previously described can all be obtained
in the home, but the Turkish bath, with its various accessories, can
only be taken in a properly equipped bathing establishment.
=The Turkish Bath.=—This form of bath dates back to the time of
the Romans. The essential features of a modern establishment are:
dressing-rooms; a warm room, with a temperature of from 110° to 130°
F.; a hot room, temperature of 150° to 170° F.; a steam room; a
shampoo room; a douche apparatus; a plunge bath, and a cooling room.
In many establishments there is only one hot, dry-air room. The air
of the room may be heated by steam-coils.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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