IF NO SUN, TAKE AN AIR BATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 6 (Supplement)

IF NO SUN, TAKE AN AIR BATH.

BI Sm HERBERT BARKER.

(Tiia famous manipulative surgeon, who retired from practice two years ago, and is now living in Italy.) The article which I contributed to Th# Daily Mail about seven weeks ago on tho subject of sun-bathing as a means of developing and preserving health and combating disease has brought me many letters and personal inquiries, both from people ftt home and abroad, showing unmistakably how widespread and deep is the public interest in thia important subject. Among these, of course, complaints are numerous as to the, few opportunities the British climate affords of indulgence iu this form of treatment. That is regrettably only too true., but I must remind correspondents that, even though the sun may be obscured, the daylight is still at our disposal and can be employed With great advantage, although the warm solar rays are more pleasant and more appreciably beneficial. However, if the sun refuses to show his face I advise a daily light aud air bath, of sfcorfc duration when the weather is cold and you are unaccustomed to the exposure, and longer when the, temperature; is comfortably high or when you nave become inured to the coolness of the air. But always proceed carefully, and j gradually, never allowing even the beginning of a chill to -assert itself. The best time for the light and air bath is after one's morning dip. Take this in | sheltered corner of the garden, if one of sufficient seclusion is available, or before the widely open window—again, of course, if strict seclusion can be guaranteed. Should any difficulty be experienced in < keeping warm, friction of the entire skin surface with the dry palms of the hands is excellent, as it stimulates the tissues arid renders them more susceptible to the therapeutic influences of the atmosphere. , After a little practice, when one has become used to the exposure, it is possible to remain quite a long time unclothed with distinct benefit and refreshment. But I must re-emphasise the desirability of prudence and. of making the process of habituation gradually arid with discrimination. One correspondent who saw my Daily. Mail article in Nw York writes to say that he always takes his sun-baths hatless, and wishes to know why I counsel the wearing of a head-covering ? Well, after long experience I have decided that exposure of the head to strong sunlight is not. in the vast majority of cases, to be recommended, although at first it may be borne without untoward rosults. Headache, nausea, and vertigo are very likely ultimately to trouble those who neglect the wearing of a hat and darkened glasses in powerful sunlight. Nothing iii lost and much trouble is oftan averted by the routine adoption of these simple precautions, although they dm not apply, of course, to the taking of simple light and air b?.ths. For those who can afford the expense the installation in, one's bath or bed room of artificial sunlight apparatus has, of course, much to commend' it, for then the sun-bath can be taken regularly, - despite bad barometric conditions. I think the day is not very remote when every electric Jamp will be 'constructed to diffuse the valuable ultar- • violet rays,, and thus happily the air of all underground and dark offices, shops, and manufactories may be irradiated and purified, to the inestimable advantage of these. who are forced to work therein. Motoring along the coast of the ssuth of France this summer, I was delighted to notice the increase in the number of sunbathers on the beaches of the numerous beautiful bays of the Riviera, and I Save no doubt, as the worth of sun and air bathing becomes more - generally recognised. the practice will be almost universally adopted by ihotso in search of improved health and increased immunity from disease. Do not discontinue your son and air bathing when the holidays are'over. Go on with them—combined with more indoor and outdoor exercise—until the next holiday cornes round, and then you will enjoy it with redoubled pleasure, zest, and benefit and the happy knowledge that you are contributing to the real wealth of the world by doing something; to improve the health of its inhabitants.