HOT-BATH PERIL.
BAD EFFECT ON HEALTH
A controversy of the bathroom has been aroused by the statement by Dr. Fortescue Fox at the International Congress of Medicine. Dr. Fox condemned the hot bath on hygienic grounds, and observed that the decline of Rome dated from the time when hot baths became the fashion Spartans who follow daily the cold bath fetish hold that they are vindicated.
Dr. Fox said that "want of fitness, drowsiness, muscular weakness, and caceleration of the heart beat on the slightest exertions" were among the effects of moist heat. Cool baths were invigorating and warm baths of any duration relaxing.
A prominent London physician confirmed the view of Dr. Fox and warned those dilatory persons who linger over the comforts of the warm bath of their peril.
"Hot water," he said, "is a powerful stimulant to the skin and its effects are reflected in the heart and blood vessels. Generally speaking, the stimulating effect of a hot bath is proportionate to the extent to which it heats the body. All stimulation of the heart and nervous system, by whatever means accomplished, is invariably followed by a period of depression. Thus, although a hot bath is restful when one is tired, and has the immediate effect of bracing one up, it is invariably followed by a certaian degree of slackness both mental and physical."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19131006.2.41
Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 6 October 1913, Page 6
Word Count
227HOT-BATH PERIL. Northern Advocate, 6 October 1913, Page 6
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