SUN BATH.
The value of sunlight as a hygienic agent is so universally recognized—theoretically if not practically—that we need not devote space to its consideration in this connection. Sunlight is essential to the healthy performance of the vital functions, and must be equally important as an aid to remedial processes. This fact has been amply demonstrated by hospital experience, which shows a much larger percentage of recoveries in rooms abundantly exposed to the sun than in those secluded from its rays.
That the sun has a powerful influence upon the skin is shown by the great increase of pigment in that structure when freely exposed to the sunlight. This results from an increased activity of the cutaneous tissues.
Experience has shown that the sun bath can be employed to advantage in most chronic diseases. The patient simply lies in a position in which the naked skin can be freely exposed to the rays of the sun. The head should be shaded. The bath should not be continued so long as to produce unpleasant effects either upon the skin or the general system. It may be accompanied and followed with the dry hand-rubbing.