THAT MORNING BATH by Addie S. Bowen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1901

THAT MORNING BATH.

By Addie S. Bowen

ADDIE S. BOWEN.

A morning bath is always refreshing if rightly taken, and especially so in warm weather. In cold weather it should in most cases be taken by the fire, or in a warm room.

Perhaps you have been so rushed that some morning you went about your duties without bathing. You felt dull, and by and by, beginning to realize what was the matter, you bathed your hands and face with clean, cold water as usual. Then you felt wide awake and ready for work. Had you taken a bath, you would have been much more invigorated.

There are several ways of bathing. The robust and ordinarily well can, with excellent effect, plunge into the river, lake, or swimming pool, or take a dip in the bath tub, with sufficient water at 70° or 80° F. to cover the person when lying down; or a dripping wet sheet rub may be taken. A most excellent way for well or sick is by a shower or spray apparatus with water at about 75° F.

An elderly man in New York told me of his experience in a small water cure in an obscure town, to which he had gone for his health. One principal treatment was this: the patient stood in a tub while a nurse put a sheet, which had been dipped in cold water, around him, and rubbed him vigorously, after which the patient was quickly dried, and well rubbed again. He grew well rapidly, and went into the lumber woods the next winter, still continuing his cold wet sheet rub every morning during the winter. He said he never felt so well in his life, and he did not have a cold all winter.

In taking these heroic baths the head and chest should be wet with cold water, and the feet must be warm before beginning the treatment, which must be taken quickly—in five or six minutes. This also applies in the simpler forms of bath for the morning tonic.

Those who are less robust, or have not the necessary apparatus for the preceding methods, have still other means. A very enjoyable and beneficial bath may be had with less than a gallon of water, a common washbowl, rough crash or Turkish towel, and mitten, or even the bare hand. The less water used, the colder it should be, from 60° down to 40° F., and vigorous friction should be applied both in wetting and in drying the skin. In hot weather, however, a refreshing and cooling effect is produced by leaving the skin moist, omitting the dry friction, as the drying by evaporation cools the surface, and has a good effect on the internal organism. As winter approaches, let the drying process be thorough and the friction continued until the skin is warm. Remember this daily work with water and towel is preparing you to endure cold without taking cold, and it will be all the more enjoyable.

Now a few details for the benefit of beginners, who can take only the simplest method. Have the washbowl of water, etc., ready for quick work on rising. Bathe the face first, then with the bath mitten wet just enough not to drip, bathe the chest and front part of trunk of body. After thoroughly drying, bathe one arm, then the other arm, and so on, wetting and drying part of the person at a time. This is not a soap bath, except it be necessary to use a little soap about the neck, and where the sweat glands are most active.

A good bath mitten may be knit of common twine, in the form of a bag large enough to be loose when wet, and long enough to cover the entire hand. Narrow off at finger ends as for an ordinary mitten. The rough side is best for the skin, unless it be that of a very delicate person. Another way is to cut out a mitten from Turkish toweling or moreen skirt cloth. Rubber cord may be put in the hem at the wrist to prevent this loose mitten from slipping off. It should be large enough to go on and off easily and quickly. The mitten is far superior to a washcloth, and adds greatly to the enjoyment and benefit of the bath.

Still another method is to wring a towel dry enough not to drip, out of very cold water, and rub with it all over the person, dipping it as often as it becomes warm.

However the bath is taken, it is to be with expedition—five minutes is sufficient. It is a curative of certain maladies, such as a weak stomach, weak nerves, and similar difficulties. I heartily recommend it; for no other treatment has done me more good.