The Royal Road to Health; Or, the Secret of Health Without DrugsTyrrell, Chas. A. (Charles Alfred)
Science
The Royal Road to Health; Or, the Secret of Health Without Drugs
Tyrrell, Chas. A. (Charles Alfred)
Enema; Health; Health -- Popular works; Health promotion; Hygiene
As to the temperature of the bath, that must, to a great extent,
depend upon the conditions of life, and the predisposition and
susceptibility of the individual; but the cold bath should always be
employed in preference to the warm bath, when conditions permit. The
cold bath is a powerful stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system.
and as that is the great regulator of nutrition, the value of cold
bathing to those afflicted with digestive disturbances will be readily
understood, since all the digestive and assimilative processes are
quickened by it. The glands of the stomach secrete more hydrochloric
acid on account of this stimulus, and a better quality of gastric
juice being thus formed, not only is the digestion improved, but the
system is better enabled to resist microbic invasion. The cold bath
also stimulates the vaso-motor system, which regulates the
circulation, by contracting and dilating the vessels, and increases
the activity of the capillaries or small blood vessels. It thus
increases the resisting power of the skin, by enabling it to reheat
the surface after a chill, and this is the reason why people who
habitually use the cold bath are practically proof against "colds."
People employed in sedentary occupations are especially benefited by
the cold bath, but should employ a hot bath for three or four minutes
beforehand. It is also especially beneficial to women, as, being an
excellent nerve tonic, it successfully combats all forms of nervous
weakness, and is an admirable preventive of hysteria.
Children under seven years of age do not bear the application of cold
water very well, and it is advisable not to use the water at a lower
temperature than 700 Fahr., and to employ friction constantly while
administering it; but after that age the temperature may be gradually
lowered. In old age the neutral bath, from 75 to 850 Fahr. will be
found the best for general use, accompanied
by friction.
The bath, to be thoroughly beneficial, should be taken at one of the
three following portions of the day, immediately upon rising, about
ten o'clock, or just before going to bed. The early morning bath is,
however, immeasurably the best, and if cold, will be found a wonderful
aid in promoting health and vigor, and being such a necessity,
especially in the preservation of health, and the constant practice of
it, strongly urged, we append the following useful suggestions for
guidance:
A full meal should not be taken in less than half an hour after
bathing. Nor should a bath be taken in less than an hour and a half
after eating a full meal.
You can bathe with impunity in cold water when the body is perspiring
freely, as long as the breathing is not disturbed, nor the body
exhausted by over-exertion.
Never bathe in cool or cold water when the body is cold. First restore
warmth by exercise.
Always wet the head before taking a plunge bath, and the chest also,
if the lungs are weak.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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