NOSE BATH.
This bath is administered either by drawing water into the nose while the mouth is closed, or by injecting it by means of a fountain syringe. Great care should always be exercised to apply the water gently, as a forcible application will cause pain and irritation. Injection should never be practiced with a piston syringe, as there is liability of forcing the water into the Eustachian canals and producing deafness. The temperature of the water should be warm or tepid for most applications.
Much benefit may be derived by the proper use of this bath in case of acute or chronic catarrh. The addition of a slight portion of salt to the water does no harm, and a slightly saline fluid is sometimes less unpleasant than pure water, probably because it is more nearly like the mucous secretion of the nasal mucous membrane. Drawing cold water into the nose is sometimes recommended for hemorrhage from the nose; but it is of doubtful utility, because the application cannot be continuous, and transient applications of cold water are always followed by an afflux of blood to the part so exposed. There are better remedies for nose-bleed.