1.—THE BATH.
In olden times, in this country, baths were but little used. It was considered a luxury but few could possess. Now there is scarcely a decent house built without a bathroom. In England and France, “there was a time when many ladies had a most hydrophobiacal dread of water; they thought it injured the delicacy of the complexion. Their ablutions often consisted in wiping the cheeks with a cambric handkerchief, dipped in elder flower or rose water.”
A daily bath is now the rule rather than the exception, and its effect is admirable. A cold bath, from sixty to seventy degrees, is, to most persons, the most health-giving and invigorating process one can undergo; but beyond its invigoration, it is of no essential service in cleansing the skin. No one can preserve a purely clean skin by the use of cold baths only, though the purifying effect is increased by the use of rough towels, which help to remove the impurities from the surface of the skin. The skin is constantly throwing off fine dust like scales, and these, blending with other foreign matter, stop up the pores, and prevent the skin from performing its natural functions.
Therefore soap should be used, because the alkali in it assimilates with the oily exudations of the skin, and removes impurities.
It has been said that soap is calculated to irritate the skin, and injure the complexion. It is not true, according to our knowledge. Some of the most beautiful complexions we ever saw were washed with soap daily. Great care should be taken that the soap is of a good quality.
If any unpleasant sensations are experienced after its use, it is easily removed by rinsing the skin with water slightly acidulated with lemon-juice.
Once a week a warm bath, at about one hundred degrees, should be used, with plenty of soap, to be sure and cleanse the skin from all impurities. Sea-water baths are invigorating, but not cleansing—a warm bath is required after a short course of them. The same remark applies to sea-salt baths, now much used. The friction of coarse towels is very beneficial. Shower baths are not generally desirable, as but few constitutions can bear them.
Milk baths and perfumed baths are absurdities, which a very few silly women indulge in; but nothing equals pure salt water.
Of late years the practice of taking Turkish baths has been introduced. Doubtless these baths are the best in existence for a thorough cleansing of the pores of the skin. But no one should venture to take them, except after having first had medical advice, or those who possess strong constitutions; for there are states of health to which they would be injurious in the highest degree. We consider them a great luxury.
We also recommend, most heartily, the sponge bath for daily use. Use a large circular sponge.
It is always best, before taking any bath, to wet the top of the head; boys and men can wet the sponge, and, holding their heads over the bath-tub, thoroughly souse their heads and necks. It prevents the blood rushing to the head suddenly. A hair glove is excellent to rub the body. Boys and men should exercise with the dumb-bells after their morning bath; it increases their muscular strength.
In all our directions with regard to the bath, it must be borne in mind that we only refer to those who are in a moderately sound state of health; otherwise their medical attendant should be consulted. Sea-bathing is admirable to all those who can bear it; but persons of a bilious temperament, or with heart disease, and even some with apparent health, may suffer serious ill consequences from a single bath. Some constitutions cannot bear the plunge into any cold water. All who have a quick reaction from a sea-bath and cold water bathing are benefited. The delicious glow it gives is most charming. We have known many young, vigorous persons suffer from sea-bathing; but it was their own fault, from remaining in the water too long; ten minutes is sufficient.