MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9907, 24 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

THE COLD BATH IN THE MORNING. Cold baths in the morning are undoubtedly beneficial, bub only to those persons who have sufficient vital energy and nervous force to ensure good reaction, with no subsequent languor or lassitude., Many persons who are greatly refreshed by their morning bath feel tired or languid two or three hours after it. When this occurs it is conclusive evidence that the practice is harmful. Persons who have an abundance of blood and flesh, who are lymphatic or sluggish in temperament, and whose nervous force is not depleted, can take a cold morning bath to advantage. Others, who are inclined to be thin, whose hands and feet become cold and clammy-on slight provocation, who digest food slowly and assimilate it with difficulty, who are nervous, and who have much on their minds, should avoid early morning cold bathing. For such the bath before retiring at night is recommended, as it should be followed by rest of brain and body till equable conditions of circulation are re-established. Some persons who are weak in nervous power have such excitable nerves that they get at once a perfect reaction from cold bathing, but lose in after effects more than the value of the bath. This class of individuals should not bathe too often, and should always use tepid water, choosing the time preferably before retiring.—The Family Doctor.

TESTING THE EYESIGHT. A well-known doctor gives the following rule by which anyone can discover whether his vision is perfect. He says:— " The makers of optical instruments are turning out some wonderful appliances nowadays for discovering imperfections of sight, but here is a plan for testing the respective strength of your eyas that is as simple as ib is trustworthy. All you need is a stereoscope and a photograph. That arrangement in which the picture-holder slides up and down a flat frame, trombone fashion, is the best sort of stereoscope for the purpose, although any will do ; and the photograph that will give the beat results is a cabinet-size view of some locality, with people in it. Put the photograph in the holder, and focus ib so that you can see the faces clearly. Then close the left eye, and look at the picture intently with your right while you count thirty slowly. Now, close the right eye, and look at the picture with the left eye for the same time. Then open both eyes, and look ab the picture without changing the focus. Something queer will happen. The figures on the one side of the picture will seem to move across the view and group themselves with those on the other side, and—this is the point of the experiment —the figures will always move 'vway from the weak eye. Moreover, they move with a very precise relation of speed to the weakness of vision. If the left eyo, for example, is weak, the figures will move very quickly to the right side; while, if there is but a slight defect, the movement will be gradual, and so on."

REFRESHING SLEEP. Sunlight is good for everything bub feathers. Away with 'heavy hangings, even above or below the bed. Beware of a dusty, musty carpet, says Good Housekeeping ; better sweetness and a bare floor. Do not fail to provide some means for ventilation during the night. Keep the head cool while sleeping, but not by a draught of cold, air falling upon it. If a folding-bed must be used, contrive some way to keep it aired and wholesome. Let the pillow be high enough to bring the head in a natural position ; no more or less. Thoroughly air the sleeping-room every day ; air the beds and beddings as often as possible. A dark, oubof-the.way, unwholesome corner is no more fitted for a sleeping-room :han for a parlour. A feather bed which has done service for a generation or two is hardly a desirable thing upon which to sleep.