WHEN TO SWIM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20895, 26 November 1937, Page 12

WHEN TO SWIM

ADVICE TO BATHERS With the coming of warm days the bathing season opens, but it is at this season that we must be very cautious about how long and often we bathe, advises an overseas writer. The older we are and the less often we bathe, the more care it requires. We all differ. What will be a successful bathe for the fourten-year-old daughter will chill or tire out her father and terrify her young brother. Do not suddenly ask too much adaptation of your body. If you have lacked exercise, get used to it again on land for a day or two before attempting the far more general and strenuous exercise of a swim. Remember that a tide which has come in over a sunny beach is degrees warmer than the open sea of a low ebb. Other things being equal, a forenoon bathe is least exacting, but never break the rule that an hour should lapse between a meal and a bathe. Sun-Bathing How long should we stay in? Only long enough to feel invigorated and warm when dressed again. That may be five minutes for one, and half an hour for another. In general, men chill more quickly than women, and little boys than little girls. This may be connected with the complicated system of glands in the body which help to regulate temperature as well as temperament. Mentally, too, girls often adapt to the water more easily than boys, are less nervous and learn to swim at an earlier age. These difference are to be respected. There are few more horrid sight on our beaches than terrified children being forced into the water, and lasting harm may be done. Let the more timid shiverer get used to the warm pools and he will face the waves in hia own time. Afterwards the sun-bathing—it is Nature’s fair reward to the brave who faced the plunge, but take it in moderation. Recognise that in exposing large areas of skin which are usually covered by clothing, we are subjecting our body to a sudden important change of environment. Much good may come of it if we start with a short exposure, and gradually increase as adaptation takes place, but allow enthusiasm to outrun commonsense and worse results than sunburn may ensue. Old latent disease has been stimulated into activity by unwise sun-bathing. Five minutes is long enough at first, then gradually longer as the tan defence of the skin increases. Lassitude and headache are warnings of excess.

Should a painful sunburn occur, never treat with oil—unless you want to fry—but with calamine lotion freely and frequently applied. A graver danger and one less easily avoided is ear trouble. This is actually a catarrhal inflammation of the bony space behind the drum. It does not result from germs that enter the ear (unless the drum has been left injured by previous illness), but from germs carried up from the nose—usually the patients’ own germs. It is to be avoided by correct breathing. The experienced swimmer does not draw water up his nose. Children should be taught this, and that if any water does accidentally enter, violent nose-blowing should be avoided; it is this that forces Infected matter up the tubes to the ears. After Illnesses Then the vexed question of bathing after illness—how soon? Only with a knowledge of the particular patient and Illness can an opinion be offered, but considering the strenuous exertion and unwonted exposure of bathing, we may say it will be risky until the’exconvalescent has resumed all his common land activity without fatigue. There is danger of lighting up an old infection if it is not quite extinct. Years should pass and a most definite medical opinion be obtained before a healed consumptive should bathe. Healthy people approaching the fifties need a word of warning, too. Much depends on physique and habit, but when the bathe leaves the middle-aged bather chilled and tired it is time he exchanged it for other activities—as most have to exchange football for tennis in the later twenties.