Begin the bath, as usual, by wetting the head, saturating the hair well. Wash the face, then the neck, chest, shoulders, arms, trunk, and back. Rub vigorously until the skin is red, to prevent chilling; for even when the temperature of the room is nearly equal to that of the body, the rapid evaporation of water from the surface will lower the external temperature very rapidly unless a vigorous circulation is maintained.
After thoroughly bathing the upper portion of the body, turn the attention to the lower portion, continuing the rubbing of the upper parts at brief intervals to prevent chilliness. As soon as the bathing is concluded, envelop the body in a sheet and rub dry, or dry the skin with a towel. When the surface is nearly or quite dried, rub the whole vigorously with the bare hand.
The bath should not be prolonged more than ten or fifteen minutes. Five minutes is sufficient to secure all the benefits of the bath, and even three minutes will suffice for a very good bath.
Persons who chill easily will find it better to bathe only a portion of the body before drying it. Some will even find it necessary to retain a portion of the clothing upon the lower part of the body while bathing and drying the upper part.
Weakly patients may receive this bath with very little disturbance, even in bed. Only a small portion of the body should be uncovered at a time, being bathed, dried, rubbed, and then covered while another part is treated in a similar manner.
The sponge bath may be administered anywhere without danger of soiling the finest carpet, by using care to make the sponge or cloth nearly dry before applying it to the body. A rug may be spread upon the floor as an extra precaution. When used for cleanliness—as it should be daily—a little fine soap should be added two or three times a week, to remove the oleaginous secretion from the skin.
This bath is applicable whenever there is an abnormal degree of bodily heat, and in such cases may be applied every half-hour without injury. It is useful in cases of nervousness and sleeplessness, and, in fact, whenever water is required in any form, it may be used with advantage.
RUBBING WET-SHEET.
This bath is administered in two ways; with the sheet very wet, or dripping, and with it wrung nearly dry. The first method is frequently called the dripping-sheet bath. In giving it, proceed as follows:—
When necessary to prevent injury to the floor or carpet, place upon the floor a large rug or oilcloth. In the center, place a large wash-tub, in the absence of a more convenient vessel. While the patient is making himself ready for the bath, procure two large cotton sheets. Gather one end of each into folds so that it can be easily and quickly spread out; lay one upon a chair close at hand, and place the other in the tub. At a distance of three or four feet from the tub, place a low stool. Now place in the tub—if a bath at about 93° is desired, and this will be the most usual temperature—half a pailful of fresh well or spring water, and one-third as much boiling water. If a thermometer is at hand it should, of course, be used to test the temperature. After the patient has wet his head, let him step into the tub, facing the assistant, with his arms straight and pressed closely to his sides. Now draw up the wet sheet by its gathered end to its full length; draw out one side quickly, place the corner over one shoulder of the patient, and while holding it in place with one hand, quickly draw the remainder of the sheet around him with the other, bringing it up well around the neck, and folding the second corner under the top so as to hold it in place. But a few seconds should be occupied in applying the sheet. Then commence rubbing the patient vigorously with both hands, one upon each side, rubbing to and fro three or four times in each place, passing over the whole body very rapidly, and then repeating the same, to prevent chilling of any part. Coarse, robust, and phlegmatic people may be rubbed with a good deal of severity; but persons with delicate skin and acute sensibilities require gentler manipulation.