In olden times, in this country, baths were but little used. It was
considered a luxury but few could possess. Now there is scarcely a
decent house built without a bathroom. In England and France, “there
was a time when many ladies had a most hydrophobiacal dread of water;
they thought it injured the delicacy of the complexion. Their ablutions
often consisted in wiping the cheeks with a cambric handkerchief,
dipped in elder flower or rose water.”
A daily bath is now the rule rather than the exception, and its effect
is admirable. A cold bath, from sixty to seventy degrees, is, to most
persons, the most health-giving and invigorating process one can
undergo; but beyond its invigoration, it is of no essential service in
cleansing the skin. No one can preserve a purely clean skin by the use
of cold baths only, though the purifying effect is increased by the use
of rough towels, which help to remove the impurities from the surface
of the skin. The skin is constantly throwing off fine dust like scales,
and these, blending with other foreign matter, stop up the pores, and
prevent the skin from performing its natural functions.
Therefore soap should be used, because the alkali in it assimilates
with the oily exudations of the skin, and removes impurities.
It has been said that soap is calculated to irritate the skin, and
injure the complexion. It is not true, according to our knowledge. Some
of the most beautiful complexions we ever saw were washed with soap
daily. Great care should be taken that the soap is of a _good quality_.
If any unpleasant sensations are experienced after its use, it is
easily removed by rinsing the skin with water slightly acidulated with
lemon-juice.
Once a week a warm bath, at about one hundred degrees, should be
used, with plenty of soap, to be sure and cleanse the skin from all
impurities. Sea-water baths are invigorating, but not cleansing--a warm
bath is required after a short course of them. The same remark applies
to sea-salt baths, now much used. The friction of coarse towels is
very beneficial. Shower baths are not generally desirable, as but few
constitutions can bear them.
Milk baths and perfumed baths are absurdities, which a very few silly
women indulge in; but nothing equals pure salt water.
Of late years the practice of taking Turkish baths has been introduced.
Doubtless these baths are the best in existence for a thorough
cleansing of the pores of the skin. But no one should venture to take
them, except after having first had medical advice, or those who
possess strong constitutions; for there are states of health to which
they would be injurious in the highest degree. We consider them a great
luxury.
We also recommend, most heartily, the sponge bath for daily use. Use a
large circular sponge.
It is always best, before taking any bath, to wet the top of the head;
boys and men can wet the sponge, and, holding their heads over the
bath-tub, thoroughly souse their heads and necks. It prevents the
blood rushing to the head suddenly. A hair glove is excellent to rub
the body. Boys and men should exercise with the dumb-bells after their
morning bath; it increases their muscular strength.
In all our directions with regard to the bath, it must be borne in
mind that we only refer to those who are in a moderately sound state
of health; otherwise their medical attendant should be consulted.
Sea-bathing is admirable to all those who can bear it; but persons of a
bilious temperament, or with heart disease, and even some with apparent
health, may suffer serious ill consequences from a single bath. Some
constitutions cannot bear the plunge into any cold water. All who have
a quick reaction from a sea-bath and cold water bathing are benefited.
The delicious glow it gives is most charming. We have known many young,
vigorous persons suffer from sea-bathing; but it was their own fault,
from remaining in the water too long; ten minutes is sufficient.