HEALTH NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 65

HEALTH NOTES.

BATHING—ITS VALUES AND DANGERS. River or sea bathing has many advantages over any domestic bath. The main difference between the two former is. known to everybody —namely, the presence of salt. Cold salt-water baths have the Mine general effects as the cold bath; but in virtue of the contained salt they are more stimulating, and as the sea is in constant motion it is more stimulating than a bath in still water of equal temperature. There are also certain salutary adjuncts to sea bathing which play a most important part in producing the favourable result. These arc fresh air, change of scene, _ and, to most bathers, relaxation from business cares. Warm salt water baths are more stimulating than ordinary warm baths; consequently, by tho use of warm salt water, the same amount of stimulation may be obtained as by a fresh-water bath of lower temperature. After a good dive and sturdy swim, to quicken the circulation and assist in effecting a reaction, there is far less risk of taking cold. In the pure sea air also that is rapidly passed through the lungs in swimming the amount of health-giving oxygen is very much greater than in the impoverished air of the best ventilated bathroom.

—When to Bathe.—

As a rule the earlier the bath the better. At all events, if a swim is to be indulged in after breakfast, that meal should bo a light one. The presence of an increased amount of blood in the stomach is one of the essentials in digestion; hence, everything that tends to divert it from that organ retards the process and is hurtful. Assuming a proper reaction to occur after bathing, the blood will forsake the stomach and flow towards the skin. —Dangers.—

The common results of disregarding this plain physiological law are indigestion, flatulent pain, and headache. For like reason all mental strain, reading, or deep thinking should be avoided for half an hour after a heavy meal, by which time the powerful juices of the stomach will have obtained a fair hold upon the food to bo digested. These remarks apply more especially to outdoor bathing, for the stimulating action of water is in proportion to its agitation. But there is a more immediate danger than that of reaction, which withdraws the blood from the stomach during digestion—the danger of congestion. After a meal the internal organs draw towards themselves a large supply of blood, and this supply may be dangerously increased by a cojcl dip, which has the natural effect of driving the superficial blood towards the deeper structures.

—Who Should Not Bathe.—

Persons with very pale skins, who are technically called ansemic, as well as those having any affection whatever of an internal organ, should never bathe in the sea, or, indeed, at homo in cold weather, except under medical advice. These remarks apply also to the aged and to the very_ young—to the former on account of their diminished power of resistance, and to the latter because of their tenderness. Some children bear without suffering the sudden chill of the cold bath, or the plunge in the sea; a few thoroughly enjoy it; but to the great majority it is little short of torture. It is notorious that a dog can never bo trained to take to the water by violent immersion. Timid children are the same, and" must bo gradually inured to cold water by means of tepid baths. —Some Hints.—

The tyro bather should undress quickly, go rapidly into the water at once, over the head several times, then out and dry with a rough towel, dress rapidly, and take a brisk walk afterwards._ The robust may remain a longer time in tho water. As in flammation of the ears is occasionally produced by the entrance of water into them, it is better to prevent this by putting in a small piece of cotton-wool, which the bather ought not to forget to remove after wards. If the body is warm it is best not to wait for cooling, _ because if the surface is chilled before going into the water the reaction is less likely to be good. But if the hather be subject to cramp, ho ought not to go into the water while very warm, and rever beyond his depth.

—Cramp.— Bather's cramp is often caused by tho shock of cold water to tho surface under certain conditions. There _Js usually a constitutional peculiarity predisposing to it, and robust middle-aged males seem to be more liable to it than others. The body being very warm, fatigue, prolonged muscular exertion or sudden severe muscular effort favour its production. Those, therefore, who are subject to cramp ought not to go into deep water if any of these conditions be present. One who is frequently troubled with cramp should not go into deep water at all. It a bather is seized with cramp he must endeavour to letain his self-possession; if he lose this his caso is hopeless. If the cramp be in one leg, it ought to be maintained extended at rest, and by means of the arms ai.d tho other limb the swimmer may make way, or by the hands only ho may maintain himself erect until it has passed off. It has also been recommended that tho bather throw himself on hia back and kick out vigorously. —Drowning.— We shJl conclude this article by giving plain directions how to afford aid to the drowned. Place the person immediately face downwards on the ground, preferably

with a roll of clothing under the lower part of tho chest. Place one of his arms under the forehead, so as to keep the mouth off tho ground. Do not lose time in attempting to remove the clothing. Then begin artificial respiration as follows: —(a) Place yourself athwart or on one side of the body in a kneeling posture and facing the head, (b) Place your hands flat over tho lower part of the back, one on each side, and gradually throw the weight of your body forward on to them so as to produce firm pressure —which must not be violent — on the patient's chest, (c) Raise your body slowly so as to remove the pressure, but leaving your hands in position, (d) Repeat this forward and backward movement every four or five seconds.

This course must be pursued for over half an hour, or until the natural respirations are resumed. When breathing has been established the patient may be turned on his back, and active means employed to promote the circulation by friction of the limbs in a direction towards the heart, the application of hot flannels, hot bottles, etc. As soon as he can swallow, small quantities of warm drinks may bo given. He should then be put to bed and encouraged to sleep.