The sponge or hand bath is perhaps the simplest and most useful mode of
applying water to the surface of the body; for it requires the use of no
appliances which every one does not possess, and it can be employed by
any one without elaborate preparation, and under almost any
circumstances. A great quantity of water is not required; a few quarts
are a plenty, and a pint will answer admirably in an emergency. A soft
sponge, or a linen or cotton cloth, and one or two soft towels, or a
sheet, are the other requisites. The hand may be used in the absence of
a cloth or a sponge for applying the water.
The temperature of the bath should not be above 95°, and 90° is
generally better. Most people can habitually employ a temperature of 75°
or 80° without injury. The use of a much lower temperature is not
commonly advisable, and is often productive of great injury.
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.