In this bath, water under pressure is thrown upon the patient from a hose, through a small nozzle. The bather turns his body while the attendant directs the stream upon different parts. It is a less pleasant bath than the spray or other forms of douche. Its general effects are the same as those of the baths mentioned.
SHOWER BATH.
This bath is simply an imitation of rain. Water is allowed to fall upon the body after being divided into a number of small streams by passing through a vessel with a perforated bottom. Its effects depend upon the size of the streams and the height from which they fall, together with the temperature of the bath and its duration. Although formerly much employed in water cure establishments, this bath is now little used, because its place is supplied by other more convenient ones which produce the same results, as the spray and douche. The best manner of administering it is to commence the application with tepid water, and gradually cool it. The temperature may range from 70° to 92°. The water should not usually be allowed to fall upon the head, but should be received first upon the hands and arms, then upon the feet and limbs, and afterward upon the back and shoulders, the body being well rubbed during the application.
The cold shower bath, formerly so common almost everywhere, has been productive of much injury by its indiscriminate use, and has brought much reproach upon the use of water as a curative agent. None but the most vigorous can enjoy the bath at a lower temperature than 70°, and no advantage is gained by its employment at a lower temperature than that, while considerable harm may be done in many cases.
SPRAY BATH.
This bath consists in a number of fine streams of water thrown upon the bather, with considerable force. It may be produced by connecting a hose with spray attachment to a force-pump or reservoir from which to obtain water under a sufficient pressure. The best form of attachment consists of a hollow double-convex brass or copper piece, one side of which is perforated with fine holes, the other side carrying a rim for attachment to the hose. It is preferable to have an arrangement by which the temperature may be readily and gradually changed from warm or tepid to cool without interrupting the bath. In the absence of a proper spray attachment, the apparatus elsewhere described for the hose douche may be made to answer a very good purpose, the stream being broken by placing the thumb or finger over the nozzle in such a way as to partially obstruct the flow.
This is an excellent bath to follow the pack, vapor bath, hot-air bath, sitz bath, or any other general bath which induces perspiration. It is very agreeable to most persons, and can be applied to feeble patients who would be unable to take any more severe form of treatment. The alternate hot and cold spray is very successful as a means of reducing local inflammations. The warm bath is very grateful and soothing to swollen and rheumatic joints; in gout, also, and illy defined, wandering pains, it is an admirable remedy. It is very successful, also, in the treatment of tumors, abscesses, and chronic ulcers, when thoroughly applied.
LOCAL BATHS.
The use of water as a local application is not less important, and is much more varied, than its general application. There is no other topical remedy which will produce such a variety of effects and such prompt results. In removing local congestions, subduing local inflammations, allaying circumscribed pain, and restoring activity to inactive parts, the appropriate applications of water give results which afford both physician and patient a degree of satisfaction which no other single remedy can rival, even electricity, an agent of acknowledged power, not being excepted.