Bathing by E. H. Matthewson, M. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 51.

Bathing

By E. H. Matthewson, M. D.

STEPS TO HEALTH. NO. 5.

BY E. H. MATTHEWSON, M. D.

Bathing.

BATHING is essential at all seasons for cleanliness. The skin is well supplied with nerves, and a bath rightly taken will stimulate and tone up all parts of the body. A warm bath for cleanliness should be taken at least twice a week, and it would be well if all accustomed themselves to a cool sponge bath each morning. Living in an atmosphere of frequent and marked changes of temperature, we may thus be able to keep the skin toned up so that the circulation may be quickened and equalized. During the night the circulation of the blood is largely internal, but a bath of this kind upon rising will restore a proper amount to the surface, and we will feel its invigorating effect all day. The skin contains small muscles, and when these are contracted its appearance is commonly known as goose-flesh. If we are suddenly exposed to a draft or change of temperature, and these muscles do not contract, the blood is chilled and driven internally, causing a congestion of the membranes of the nose, throat, or lungs, which we call a cold. A cool bath, followed by a brisk rub, exercises these muscles, so that when we are thus exposed they do their work promptly, and we are less liable to suffer these effects.

The small blood-vessels of the skin also contain minute muscles in their walls, and if kept in a good healthy condition by properly caring for the skin, they will work automatically when we are exposed to different temperatures, and so prevent any chilling of the system.

Experiments show that baths are powerful curative agents. Daily bathing may stop the spread of a fever in a family, cool bathing may cure anaemia. In this disease the blood-cells are decreased in number, the patient is pale, especially the ears and lips, there is, therefore, a great loss in vigor, and digestive disorders are common. Frequent cool baths, with friction, will bring the blood to the surface, quicken its flow, and with fresh air and sunlight, combined with moderate

exercise, the morbid conditions disappear.

True curative agents are those things which are really essential in preventing sickness. Health is but a relative term. Hundreds of people consider themselves fairly well, tho in a condition where work is not a pleasure, yet not sufficiently low to call a physician's aid. Many believe that it is necessary to take some drug internally before they can regain their health. It is this feeling, on the part of many patients, that fairly compels the doctor to prescribe drugs when he knows they are not essential. How wise it would be on our part to study ourselves and the laws that govern us, and thus, instead of seeking the doctor on small pretexts, know for ourselves the cause of the trouble and the remedy.

The Work of the Kidneys.

The kidneys work to the same purpose as the skin by throwing out of the system those matters, liquid and solid, which are a hindrance to us. Few baths, little exercise, and little fresh air, throw a large amount of material upon these delicate, but important, organs.

Tho unable to see the kidneys or bathe them in the same way we do the skin, they surely deserve and need as much attention. These two organs secrete as much fluid as the entire skin, and they need to be thoroughly cleansed by the same means—water. When poisons are thrown upon the kidneys they need plenty of fluid in which to dissolve them. Three-quarters of the weight of the body is water, and so both inside and outside of the body need a good supply of this important agent. Fluid is necessary to dissolve the poisons and to dissolve the food that circulates through the body. If the kidneys for some reason do not work, it is usual to seek for some drug, known as a diuretic, that the kidneys may be compelled to go on as before. When we do this, we simply put into our system an extra amount of poison, which either forces the kidneys to overdo or may stop their work altogether. If the kidneys are inflamed or otherwise unable to dissolve the poisons lodged there, how sensible it would be to help the skin, bowels, and other organs to increase their work, and thus relieve the kidneys; and at the same time to drink plenty of fluid, that the body may be able to dissolve these substances and wash out and lessen the inflammation that may be present in these important organs. These methods are now practiced by the best of physicians, and the sooner we follow rational methods in treating all disease, and guarding ourselves against it, the better it will be for us.

Chicago Sanitarium, Chicago, Ill.