during menstruation, or the presence of cough, cutaneous diseases, and pregnancy.

When cold bathing is adopted in the house, the shower bath has a decided advantage over every other species, and an apparatus is now to be procured at every furnishing ironmongers, for an insignificant expense; but in event of such not being readily to be had (which may happen in the country), the following contrivance will effectually supply its place: fill a common watering pot with cold water, and let the patient sit down undressed upon a stool, which should be placed in a spacious tub; the hair is to be spread over the back and shoulders as loosely as possible; the water is then to be dischaged over the patient, who is immediately to be rubbed dry, and use gentle exercise, until the feeling of cold is succeeded by a genial glow. On the commencement the water may be used tepid, in order not to produce too severe a shock, and as the individual becomes accustomed to it, the temperature may be lowered, and the water poured from a greater height. A large sponge will not make a bad substitute when nothing more convenient is at hand. Though the shower bath does not cover the surface so completely as immersion, this circumstance is rather beneficial

than otherwise the parts not washed by the water receiving the impression by sympathy, as much as those in immediate contact with it, each drop becoming a partial cold bath in miniature; and thus a more powerful impression is excited than in any other mode of bathing; in fact the shower bath possesses superior advantages over every other kind.

SEA BATHING.

THE close of summer, or autumn, in our climate, is the most proper for this purpose, from the superior warmth of the ocean, while the atmospheric temperature is moderated by the western breezes. The temperature of the sea during the summer months ranges from 58 to 60 Fahrenheit; in August and September it is rarely below 60, while that of the air will be found on the average seldom below 65, thus the bath will be only five degrees less than the medium in which we live. The same rules are to be observed as in using the cold bath. It is of importance that the machine should be perfectly dry, the time of course depending on that of high water: a flowing tide is at all events to be selected. At noon the water is ten or twelve

degrees warmer than in the morning; the temperature

may be readily made to accord with the feelings of the bather, by commencing with a warm bath at 90, and lowering every second time, finishing at 65 degrees. After bathing, the body must be well dried by friction, till a glow is induced, after which exercise is to be taken. Should shivering succeed, a warm bath is immediately to be given, and the patient removed from it to a warm bed; the chest rubbed with hartshorn or Eau-de-Cologne, some warm fluid drink exhibited, and a bladder of warm water applied to the stomach. The ocean breezes prove a powerful adjunct to bathing and for this reason apartments should always be selected, open to its influence; the coast of Devon and Cornwall are the most desirable spots in England, and Cove of Cork, in Ireland.* When the sea cannot be reached, a bath very nearly resembling it may be prepared by dissolving one pound of bay salt in every four gallons of water.

* Having been visiting a patient lately, at Hayland Island, in Hampshire, I was very much delighted with the pure mild air, and excellent accommodation for bathers, rendering it one of the most desirable retirements for the invalid in actual pursuit of health, on the southern coast of England, and peculiarly easy of access from London, by the South-Western line of railroad.

TEPID BATH.

THIS term is applied to a bath of the temperature of 92 degress, and will be found useful in cleansing the skin from impurities, and promoting its natural secretion.

The scaly matter observed floating on the surface of a bath after it has been used, is sufficient evidence to prove the necessity of ablution, in order to prevent diseases which may arise from obstructed perspiration. It is not merely a cleanser of the skin, it likewise refreshes the mind, affording to the entire system a sensation of comfort and energy. An individual weary in body, or distressed in mind, will derive more refreshment from a tepid bath, than from the most powerful stimulants which could be employed. It is highly useful to children, diminishing in a great measure the danger arising from teething; is valuable in hectic fever, and even during the pregnant state.

WARM BATH.

HEAT produces an effect on the human frame in a ratio with its intensity, the temperature of the warm bath must therefore be regulated according to the

animal heat of the individual; from 92 to 98 degrees is termed warm; at 95 the pulse becomes lowered, also the heat of the body, the effects being soothing and refreshing. The readiest method of determining the heat of the patient, is to place the bulb of a pocket thermometer under the tongue for a few seconds, and mark the degree to which the quicksilver has risen. This bath is of eminent service in all female maladies attended with debility, in gout, rheumatism, chronic affections of the liver, and in all cases of weakness it is superior to the cold bath: the best time for taking it, to invigorate and refresh the system, is two hours before dinner, and the period of immersion, from twenty minutes to half an hour at the utmost. In every case of female obstruction it is a most powerful and valuable remedy: when it is intended to produce perspiration, it should be gradually raised while the patient is in the bath, till the heat arrives at 100, and the time of remaining in must not exceed twenty minutes for this purpose it ought to be employed just before bed-time.

HOT BATH

Is a powerful stimulant, the temperature is from 96 to