"Like a nymph in the bath."

"THE ruins of the ancient Roman and Grecian baths, truly magnificent buildings scattered throughout Europe, tell us bathing was a national virtue amongst those peoples. This is in dire contrast to present day conditions, in which neither public baths nor public bathing is more than a side issue. The masses of the people are not educated up to the value of bathing beyond the "swimming" idea. It is almost as difficult to get the average individual to take a bath, with any degree of system or regularity, as it would be to induce him to take a dose of castor oil.

The traditional value of bathing existing amongst the Ancient Romans and Greeks has however descended to the Englishman, who would no more think of dispensing with his morning "tubbing" than he would think of going without his breakfast, each of which is a sacred duty and of paramount importance to him.

The functions of the skin are as a rule but little understood, and as a result of this the skin is much neglected in its care. Yet a healthy skin is absolutely necessary to every individual, otherwise ill-health conditions are certain to arise. The skin must be kept clean, active, and healthy, either by natural or artificial methods, if not in one way then in another. During the hot summer months the functions of the skin are generally active, so that the skin naturally cleanses itself. In the colder weather, however, the skin is comparatively inactive, and it is at this time more particularly that it requires to be, systematically, kept clean by washing, scrubbing, rubbing, or sweating, one or all of the methods.

Baths may have for their object the simple cleansing of the body, or they may be intended for the cure of disease. The appliances for bathing may he simplicity itself, or on the other hand they may be so elaborate as to be almost bewildering.

The whole process of bathing may be resolved into a scrubbing or rubbing of the skin from head to foot, using anything having a rough surface to facilitate friction, the temperature of the water to be as cool as can comfortably be borne, the length of time for the bath to be varied according to circumstances, finally ending up by drying the body, so that at the conclusion of the bath the reaction is perfect and without tire or distress to the bather. At a very small cost, a sponge, one or two hand-scrubs, a flesh brush, a loofah, a species of seaweed fibre, all procurable at any drug store, including some coarse towels, and one has a very full and inexpensive bath equipment.

Under proper conditions bathing is one of the greatest adjuncts to health getting which we possess. Hydrotherapy, or the therapeutic or medical use of water, is probably the most powerful curative agent we have, far in excess of any drug medication. Like anything else possessing merit, bathing and baths have been overdone - abused - to such an extent that strong prejudices have arisen against the use of what is most essential to every human being - bathing. Undoubtedly great harm has been done to many persons through ignorance or abuse of baths.

Under proper conditions baths never do harm but always good to those who use them intelligently; Obviously an invalid requires entirely different bath treatment from an athlete : and the same applies to all grades of individuals between these two classes. The two principle factors to be considered in the use of baths are the temperature of the water and the length of time for the bath, both of which are subject to variation. Judgment and common sense must be used in these as in other matters.

A healthy skin is warm, slightly moist, reddens quickly when rubbed or frictioned, perspires readily under exercise, and is clean and free from eruptions of every kind. Under applications of cold water, with rubbing, the skin reddens perceptibly and readily, and may remain so for some little time after.

Baths should never be taken immediately after meals, certainly not until three or four hours afterwards. Prolonged sea bathing is decidedly injurious, for the reason that the heat of the body is absorbed by the cold water, and depression and exhaustion result. If taken in moderation the effect should be exhilarating and beneficial, instead of the opposite. Cold water in moderation is a stimulant tonic. Hot water, briefly applied, acts also as a stimulant, but applied for a further period of time, its effect is sedative or relaxing.

Many individuals have a fear or dread of cold water. This is overcome by commencing the bath with tepid water, finally ending up with a cold dash. With vigorous friction, using the ordinary hand brush, flesh brush or loofah, extremely cold water can well be borne, the reaction ending in a brilliant glow of the skin. In all cases a bath of any description must be ended up with a cold application, however brief, otherwise the pores of the skin are left open and a sedative or relaxing effect is likely to be produced by the continuance of perspiration beyond the intended time. To obtain the tonic effects of water it must be used cold, and for this purpose the best time to take a cold bath is just after getting out of bed in the morning, or after exercise, when one is warm. A cold bath should never be taken when one is chilled; this is the time for a hot bath.