The Chief Varieties of Baths.—These, in the order of frequency with which they are used, are: ablutions; tub; foot-tub; sitz; salt sponge; shower; Turkish; horizontal jet; needle; fan douche; Scotch douche; Roman and electric-light baths.
Ablutions or Sponge Baths.—These baths are of universal use. The sponge is one of the dirtiest and most impossible articles of the toilet to clean and to keep clean. It is a collector of dirt and germs, and should be banished from every bath-room and from every house. It is not sufficient that each member of the family should have her own sponge; it is quite possible for the individual to become infected or reinfected from her own sponge. Incidentally, it does not afford sufficient friction, and thus does not favor reaction. In taking ablutions, the application of water may be made with the hand, though it is best made by means of a wash towel. The good effects of the simple ablution will be greatly enhanced by the use of the hat tub, and this especially where there is no bath-tub in the house.
When the bath is taken for the purpose of cleanliness, the water should be warm or hot, and pure Castile soap is one of the best that can be used. If the skin is rough, a good sand soap will be more beneficial. The bath should be completed by dashing cold water over the body with the wash-towel.
The body must be quickly and thoroughly dried by means of a rough bath-towel. After this, the skin may be still further toned up by a good alcohol rub.
If the ablution is taken simply for the tonic effect, it is generally taken on rising in the morning, and the water used is cold. The ablution may be confined to the upper part of the body, that is, the chest and back; and consists in friction with a rough wash-towel, followed by dashing the water over the body; followed by brisk friction with a rough bath-towel. This procedure causes a marked stimulation of the heart and lungs, and is followed by a rise of temperature.
In winter all baths must be taken in a warm room.
There is a decided increase of muscular and mental capacity after the cold ablution, demonstrating the tonic effect it has produced.
The cold ablution may also serve as an introductory to other and more heroic hydriatic procedures. If the reaction is not good, water at a higher temperature should be used, and only small portions of the body should be attacked each day, followed always by brisk friction. As the reaction becomes better, the temperature of the water should be gradually lowered from day to day.
There must be a decided sensation of warmth of the body before proceeding to take any form of cold bath. This may be induced by sipping a cupful of hot water before rising, and then being well covered with the bed-clothes until the body is in a glow. In conditions of anemia or neurasthenia, where the circulation is markedly poor, in addition to drinking the hot water, the bather may stand on hot blankets while taking the cold ablution, and after it be rubbed briskly with hot towels.
Nothing is gained, and a great deal of harm is done, by trying to persevere in the daily cold ablution when it is followed by a pallor of the skin, chilliness, etc.