SUNBATHING AND HEALTH

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3554, 6 December 1934, Page 4

SUNBATHING AND HEALTH

DANGER AND OVER-EXPOSURE.

(Contributed by Department of

Health)

The sun has been regarded from earliest times as being the source of (health, life and fertility. Ancient civilisations such as the Aztecs have worshipped the sun. The Father of Medicine built a temple to the sun two thousand years ago and utilised its healing properties, the reason for which was then of course entirely unknown.

Modern scientists have discovered in sunlight certain invisible rays which make up what is known as “ultra-violet light.” These rays have been definitely proved to cure bone tuberculosis, to relieve the disease known as rickets, and to promote good health generally. A hath in the sun is therefore beneficial to the well-being of average people who do not suffer from any particular complaint. And there is no doubt that the sun bath, like the air bath, should be more generally employed as an hygienic measure. METHODS OF SUNBATHING. In taking sunbaths, however, commonsense must; be exercised. The person who has been shut up indoors all winter and then suddenly takes a day off at the beach, where he lolls about for six hours in a boiling sun, will not enjoy the soothing effects of the ultra-violet rays. Instead, he might just as well have roasted himself on a spit before an open fire and saved himself a trip. It is most important that treatment should be gradual or otherwise distressing results may arise that may even be a danger to life. The head should be covered. The eyes and back of the neck should be protected. Blonde and fair-haired people as a rule show greater sensitiveness to sunlight and the slightest over-exposure may react unfavourably, producing headache, fever and malaise. Both the front of the body and the back should be exposed not more than five minutes the first day, until an hour or more is reached with the progressive bronzing of the skin. With children the first exposure should be three minutes and then to be increased daily. The general effect is manifested by increased healthiness usually in proportion to bronzing. Coconut oil or olive oil is good to rub into sensitive skins before sunbathing on I?he beaches. Exposure to intense heat should be avoided !and this applies particularly to little children. The best hours for sunbathing are before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. No person in poor health should undertake sunbathing without first consulting a physician. Prolonged exposure to bright sunshine in those not accustomed to its rays may be very harmful. Bearing these cautions in mind the daily exposure of ia,s much as possible of the surface of th,e body tjr the direct rays of the sun, not of course to the point of blistering or extreme sunburn, is a health-giving measure which should be more widely employed. ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS. The ultra-violet rays which are invisible make up only about one per cent, of all the solar rediation. They are easily absorbed by dust, smoke and moisture. This means that a dirty, smoky city is preventing its inhabitants from enjoying nature’s most precious of medicines. Other conditions being equal, life lived in the open air and sunshine makes stronger men land women than life lived indoors. All of us need sunshine and fresh air as well as food. Good food we must buy, fresh air and sunshine in this country nature has abundantly provided. Let us use them that life may be fuller and healthier.