I
II 
/vn/c/€d  U
        BATHING



AND  THE  BATH,


SIMPLE AND MEDICATED: ITS HISTORY, EFFECT
  AND MODE OF APPLICATION, WITH A PAR-
     TICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE



   PATENT "TOILET BATH,"


              BY


     T. S. LAMBERT, M.  D.
PRESS OF IC. KNEELAND & CO., CANNON PLACE. 
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by
                T. S. LAMBERT, M. D.,
 in the Clerk's Office, for the Northern District of New York.                I 
              TO







     ALL  LOVERS






              OF








CLEANLINESS,







        THIS WORK  IS






    RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 
PREFACE.
  The object in writing the following pages, is almost self-evident.
It is one of the most convenient means I can  take to  call the atteu-
tion of physicians, and the public generally to  an invention which
has been called very valuable by those who have  seen and  used it;
a Bathing  Apparatus.  Its patrons have demanded that something
should accompany it to serve as a guide in its application; and I did
not feel at liberty to deny their request;  nor did the public weal
seem  less to require that  something  concise but  comprehensive
should be thrown out to direct in the management of the public and
the private bath; and as my attention had been much  given to  the
subject of baths, several of my medical  friends insisted, that a book
should be adapted to the public want. I have therefore made the at-
tempt that necessity required of me. What has been written professes
but little originality;  indeed, how could it, when  there is scarcely a
medical writer whom I could not quote  as strongly vindicating the
use of the bath.   On the other hand I have endeavored to present in
a condensed form all the ideas I could find, by  a  research  through
all the authors that have touched upon the subject, or that I have
gathered in conversation with medical men, that would as I thought
be either interesting or useful to the reader;  hoping, however, that
though a small book, it might not be unworthy a place in the library
of the scientific professional man, I have been careful not to obtain
any ideas except from the most undoubted authority.   Nor has any-
thing been accepted upon any authority however  great, until it was
tested by experience.  This at first thought may  seem like  fulsome
egotism, but as I hold myself responsible for  what I have written, I
could not  conscientiously do  otherwise. What  is  within written
makes as  little pretension to rhetorical beauty, or literary excel-
lence. It has been composed when the cares of  business  urgently
called for my attention, and  I have therefore  sometimes failed, per-
haps, to  present the subject with that clearness at which I chiefly
aimed, but I have endeavored, nevertheless, to let no point of im-
portance slip without the most thorough examination of facts and au-
thors; my object has been  rather  to convey correct  ideas, than to
avoid an awkward expression.  Utility has been  my object in writ-
ing; utility should be the object in reading.
    From  medical  men though meeting them  as strangers,  and
much my superiors, and elders, I have received too many evidences
ef gratuitous good will, to distrust their kindness.  The public has
always been kinder to me than I could have expected, and  if 1 have
Sailed to accomplish  what the  reader  would have  desired, I will
trust to the indulgence which has before been granted me, to  ex-
cuse the faults of which complaint may be made.
                                  Tb** House, Troy,  1845. 
CHAPTER  I.
  ■" And the bookes of leamede men doth moreover tell us that the antient Greek
dyd bathe his bodie with the steams of water, which he made to boyl; and in like
manner dyd the Roman, who dyd also trim his bagnios with gold  and silver, and
costlie ornaments."—Old Tract.
  "He that hath been in Italie, Turkey, and Germany,and hath seen how costly
and well favouredly the bathes are trimmed and appointed in divers places there,
would be ashamed that any strangers should look upon our bathes ;  for he would
surely accuse  us Saxons of ignorance, because we can trim our bathes no bet-
ter ; of unkindness, because we doe so lightly regard so excellent  gifts ; of gross-
nesse, because we are so uncleanly of body as not to use them."— Old Tract.

   When men first began  to bathe, we cannot now ascertain.
Tradition speaks of bathing as a common practice long  be-
fore the time of authentic annals.  Some have supposed,
that when man came, undepraved, from  the hands  of  his
maker, a natural instinct made him seek out the cool  banks
of the river, and the deep shades  that hung over the lake,
that there  he might  indulge in one  of the  most  healthful
luxuries of life.   If this were so, his descendants have most
sadly fallen away from  the  intentions of Nature and entire-
ly, eradicated one of the most important impulses that acted
upon the first of men.
   Be this  as it may,  the  universality  of the  practice of
bathing; its  frequent mention in the earliest histories of all
nations  proves that  by some means men soon learned  to ap-
preciate the  bath, as a comfort, a  protection from  disease,
and as one of the most efficacious and safe means they could
use in alleviating and curing it.   And that  the  opinions of
our ancestors were  well  founded, accordant with the  un-
changing laws of Nature, is established by the  experience 
6
 of the present and all past ages, Science has given her con-
 sent and asserts that they will always be correct while time
 and man shall last.
   Every other means for improving health and lengthening
 life; every other remedy for disease has  been disputed at
 one time or another, by this school or that school,  by the
 learned or by the unlearned either justly or unjustly.  But
 all of every sect and name and from all  time have given
 their unwavering testimony  in favor of bathing.   Theory
 and experience equally coincide  in urging its importance.
 In different parts of the world and at different times, it has
 been,  however,  and is now  differently valued.    By the
 Lawgiver of the Jews it was especially esteemed.   And it
 is to be lamented that the instructions he gave that people
 in regard to purification are not considered as canonical  at
 the present day.   It is surprising  that they are not; since
 they are so often enjoined and so many  examples  given  of
their efficacy.   On many occasions the bath is mentioned in
the Bible as a sure remedy for  disease.  Naaman was  to
be cured of his loathsome complaint by bathing seven times
 in the river Jordan.   " It is probable that the famous  pool
 of Bethesda, in which so many lame, sick and infirm people
 were healed, was simply  a natural  warm bath." (Ed. Ency-
 clopaedia.)   Among the Greeks the bath was in the highest
 repute, by them it was thought not  so  much a luxury  as
 a necessary for life.  Pages might  be filled with quotations
 from  Homer, Moschus, Theocritus and others; especially
 from Homer, who continually restores his heroes from the fa-
 tigue  of travel and battle, by the wholesome • indulgence  of
 a bath :  As Ulysses  at the court of Aleinous,
            " And in the bath prepared my limbs I lave ;
             Reviving sweets repair the mind's decay,
             And take the painful sense of toil away," 
7
   The splendid monuments of ancient baths that  yet  re-
main at Rome, are abundant testimony of the high  estima-
tion in which they were held by the Romans.
  The extent  and magnificence of the Roman baths almost
exceeds belief: did not our own times bear witness to the
truth of what  is written, we should be inclined to doubt the
veracity of authors.
  " Eight hundred and fifty public baths were in daily ope-
ration in Rome."  (Sextus Rufus.)  " With the ancient Ro-
mans the baths formed the most important item in the eco-
nomy of their lives ; to them it was an habitual and indis-
pensible practice  ; they considered the bath as essential  to
their comfort and health, as we in our degeneracy regard a
change of linen, and that this practice exercised a sanative
influence on the people is  beyond all question; nor can bet-
ter proof be adduced in its support than the fact, that in an-
cient Rome, during a period of certainly not  less  than five
hundred years, no such profession existed as a physician, or
any  class of persons practising the curative  art.   The  in-
habitants  of Rome could dispense with physicians,  by a
most simple practice, the constant and  habitual use of the
bath.  And we have tolerable evidence, that  it was an effi-
cient substitute for the  doctor,  in the energy of the  Roman
character, and the great bodily prowess of the people du-
ring this epoch."
   In all parts of  the world so far as I can learn from trav-
elers, and at all times so  far as  I can  learn from history,
among the civilized, and among the barbarous, more atten-
tion  is and has been paid to bathing than among the  English
and among the Americans;  why  it is so I cannot concieve ;
but it is a fact to  be regretted, that we neglect  this  more
than any other people.   Within  a few years attention has 
8
Been so much called to  this subject that most persons are
awaking to its importance.  Yet within a year I have seen
those moving in the higher circles in society, who have told
me that they had not bathed since they were boys; some
twenty, forty or fifty years  since.  Many  an  octogenarian
sinks into the grave with  the dirt of eighty years collected
upon his skin.
   Bathing  was at first doubtless the simplest possible.   The
river, the lake and the bays pf the ocean wore resorted to.
But  as any people became more refined  and increased: the
comforts of life or added to their luxuries,  they  made im-
provements in bathing.   The warm bath  was introduced.
This was early in common use and was decidedly advanta-
geous in  curing certain complaints.
   Bathing in the river invigorates those who are already
vigorous, but the warm bath soothes the aching limbs of the
weary, opposes the chills of Winter, and tempers the  heat
of Summer.  Homer knew well the virtues of  the warm
bath, for in the days' when he lived and sung and long be-
fore, the magnificence of the East had made this luxury  a
common comfort of life, throughout that part of the world.
The Romans, however, were a people who esteemed beyond
all others this, what by them was considered necessary  of
life.   And though Roman grandeur is written upon every
relic that remains of Roman glory, yet that Rome did  tithe
the world is by nothing  proved more  than by  her warm
baths.   Nothing of Rome that time has  left undestroyed,  is
more pregnant with matter for imitation, than the fragments
of her venerable baths.   The Theomoe  or warm  baths  of
Diocletian would contain* eighteen thousand bathing at one
time, and many of  the  almost innumerable private baths
vied in splendor with the public. 
9
  Seneca says  " The walls were of Alexandria marble, the
veins of which  were so disposed as to resemble a regular
picture.  The basins were  set round with most valuable
stones from the Grecian Islands.  The waters ran through
silver pipes, and fell by  several  descents  in beautiful cas-
cades.   The floors were inlaid with the most brilliant gems.
Statues and collonades graced the whole with beauty and
grandeur."  Compare this elegance and luxury of the  igno-
rant Roman heathen, with the scanty two quarts  of  water
and the one pinched towel furnished forth to the traveler or
visitor in these  days of  enlightened Christianity, in  these
United States;  this very focus of earth's intelligence.
  The Mayor of  New York with true regard to the public
weal, did indeed propose that baths should be prepared and
thrown open to all:  It was a misfortune  that it did not
meet with the  loudest  acclamations  of applause.    That
for  once politics  were  not  compelled  to give way to the
good of the people, I mean the real  good of the laboring
people; those who above all others require the advantages
of bathing; convenient, frequent, and thorough bathing.
  In the days of  the Roman Republic the public baths were
cold.   Mecoenas was the first to erect warm  baths fbr the
people.   By proper regulations these were kept very  nice
and clean, and  in every  respect were  luxuries rather than
comforts.  At the present time  in this country, France and
England, most who use tub bathing prefer  warm water to
cold, and if the temperature is not too high and the bath is
not indulged in too long, it is sometimes preferable.
  Shower, Douche  and Vapor Bathing, were still greater
improvements than the Warm Bath.   When they were in-
troduced it is not  possible to say.
  The Douche  Bath is comparatively of very modern ori-
             2* 
10
gin.   It is merely pouring or spouting water on some  part
of the body; its effects will depend on the temperature  of
the water, the quantity and the force with which it acts.  It
is seldom, if ever used in health, but is  very efficacious  in
certain local  diseases; I think it  should be tried oftener
than it is.
   Shower bathing has been used a long  time; it may  be
the ancient Romans took advantage of the cascades spoken
of by Seneca; but we cannot learn  that  they  had  gained
any idea of its great superiority over tub  bathing.  Indeed
the very great repute it now enjoys, seems to be of very re-
cent date, but I think it justly claims the rank it holds and
am glad to see that its  popularity is  increasing both  with
the physician and the public.   It is the easiest and quickest
way of bathing, while I esteem it more  effectual in gaining
the end desired than either of the kinds heretofore mention-
ed, and when it is regulated as it may be  from a mere mist
to a profuse fall of water, from the temperature of freezing
to as high a degree as can be supported, it may be  adapted
to the wants of the healthy and strong,  or the  most feeble
invalid.
   But of all the means for bathing, the Vapor  Bath, prop-
erl used, is productive of the best effects.   It  has been in
use a very  long time, and  very extensively  among almost
 all nations.
   Its virtues have been learned and valued by the rudest
 savages, and among the most prodigal of luxuries it has been
 esteemed the most agreeable of physical enjoyments :  It is
 said  to have been first introduced by a pupil of JEsculapius,
 who, when his beloved  instructor was about to  die, besought
 him  to return in a dream and reveal by what means the in-
 ferior Gods preserved an immortal youth. 
11
   Which iEsculapius promising to seek out, in due time re-
turned  answer  that it was by the use of Vapor  Baths.
Whereupon, the  pupil  applying the same to mortals, se-
cured to  them,  comparatively,  like benefit,  obtaining a
great extension of life.   This refering to divine origin  the
use of the Vapor Bath,  though fabulous, exhibits  the  high
estimation in  which it  was held  by the ancients :—They
thinking that nothing so marvelous in its effects could have
been produced by the unaided efforts of man.   It  is really
wonderful to see how much of the vigor, activity and elas-
ticity of youth it will givetto old age ; how smoothly it will
wipe away the wrinkles that have actually begun to appear,
and spread over the countenance th*fe soft flush and  health-
ful clearness of early years.  Even the  old  man of three
score years and  ten, his  thoughts flow as freely as when in
prime of life ; decrepit and halting, by the occasional or fre-
quent use of Vapor Baths, he is enabled  to  lay  aside  his
cane for years yet to come ; sprightly and nimble,  his life
again becomes  cheerful;  his sun has  gone  back ten  de-
 grees.
   Vapor Bathing with us is comparatively uncommon,  far
too uncommon,  since it is a luxury so  easily  obtained, that
more than any other it can be indulged in by all  classes of
society. Indeed, it is so useful there is not a family through-
out our land, which cannot afford to possess,  and ought  not
to possess an apparatus of some  kind  for giving a  Vapor
 Bath.  Not only is it of the greatest service  in health,  but
in many, very many  cases  of  disease,  it is  the simplest,
safest,  cheapest, as well as the most efficacious means  that
can be used to produce a speedy recovery, while in a mul-
titude of other cases, it is the most powerful assistant means
that can be applied. 
12
  Vapor Bathing in its perfection is found among the Turks.
Willis, (Pencillings by  the Way,)  with his usual vivacity,
gives us a lively and faithful description of the modus ope-
randi pursued by the Turks, and  beautifully describes the
delightful sensations produced by  the  Vapor Baths.—Sir
Sinclair  speaking of the  same luxury  as you obtain it  at
Constantinople, says :—" If life is nothing but a brief suc-
cession of ideas, the rapidity  with  which these now pass
through the mind, would induce one to  believe, that in the
few short minutes he has spent in the bath he  has lived a
number of years."   ThroughoutVPersia  and India, the de-
lights of the Vapor  Bath are  fully  appreciated, though all
travelers dwell with greater raptures on the remembrance
of the almost Paradise  they  experienced in  the Turkish
Vapor Bath.  And we  may excuse them for a lavish en-
thusiasm, when  describing this  luxury;  for if there is a
time when  a man feels  as if he could  enjoy  an  eternity
of existence, it is when  he has just passed from a Vapor
Bath taken in its perfection.  Every pain is soothed ; the
cares of the world are in oblivion, the richest fancies, the
most delightful ideas float along without the  least  exertion,
and he is entranced with the creations of his own imagina-
tion, every sense is quiet with satisfaction, and  he blesses
God that he has made him a man.
   But not  only in India, Persia,  Egypt, Turkey,  and  the
south of Europe, but throughout the  Northern countries,
Russia, Norway and Sweden, by all classes the Vapor Bath
is greatly esteemed as a luxury, a comfort, or a necessary.
Dr. A. B.  Granville, describing the Russian  Vapor Bath,
says, " The physical effects of a bath of this description, are
highly favorable to  the constitution  ; judging from my own
feelings, I should be inclined  to place it above every form 
13
of bath in general use, and I think I am indebted to it for
the removal of severe rheumatic pains, which, before, noth-
ing seemed to alleviate.  A Russian is apt to think that al-
most every disease to which he is necessarily liable from the
severity of the climate, may be removed  by the hot bath>
and he flies to it on all occasions when ailing.  This general
impression on the minds of a whole nation, who are natural-
ly keen observers, had its  foundation on  long experience,
and although, not strictly correct to the full extent of it, is
not to be contemptuously rejected as the effects of igno-
rance."   Dr. Clarke, whose  works of travel  are  so well
known, says, " Through all Finland, Lapland, Sweden, Nor-
way, and  the vast northern empire, there is no hut so  des-
titute as not to possess a family vapor bath, whither all the
family resort every Saturday at least, and every day in  case
of illness."  All experience and testimony coinciding to  cor-
rect the unfavorable idea that exists  in the mind of some,
that a person is likely in cold  weather,  to take cold after
Vapor Bathing, and therefore, that its use is attended  with
great hazard ;  nothing is more erroneous or more prejudi-
cial to 5ur interests.
   But I must hasten to lay before the reader, a synopsis of
Physiology, that of the skin in particular; for the relations
that the skin sustains to the other  parts of the body being
clearly understood, what I have said, or shall say upon bath-
ing will not appear extravagant, but on the other hand will
seem judicious, and worthy of observation.  And the direc-
tions I shall mention will not appear the offspring of an en-
thusiastic and prejudiced mind, but as they really are, merely
the echoes of Nature's own laws. 
u
                  CHAPTER  II.

  The organs of the system, though intimately connected
with each other, may be divided into  two general classes ;
the primary ones, and the  secondary.
  The first class includes the bones, the ligaments, the mus-
cles, the tendons, the brains, the nerves, the organs of sense,
the skin (as a protecting organ), and the  minor ajunct of
cellular tissue, &c.
  By means of these we think, act, obtain  knowledge, and
communicate it, enjoy our highest pleasures, and  suffer the
keenest anguish.  The secondary organs are superadded to
these for the purpose of preserving, them in  a proper con-
dition for fulfilling their duties ;  the office  of the secondary
organs may  be  learned by ascertaining the wants of the
primary.
  The first requirement of the primary organs is, that they
be preserved at a certain uniform temperature, uninfluenced
by the extremes of heat, or cold to which they may be ex-
posed.
  The second requirement, results  from the effect of exer-
cise and friction.   By  nervous and  muscular exercise de-
composition is continually produced ;  the decomposed sub-
stance must be removed, and its place supplied  with that
which is unimpaired.
   We observe, likewise, that it is a law of nature, "the del-
egate of God," that all the organs arrive  at their mature
size and strength by a  slow growth. 
15
   And considering the vicissitudes to which man is exposed
in passing from the polar to the equatorial regions, and the
sudden changes to which almost every climate is subject, or
to which persons subject themselves, in pursuing their av-
ocations ; considering the irregular exercise which is taken ;
and considering how many circumstances act upon the boy
before he arrives at manhood ; it would seem that an appa-
ratus  not a little curious, and most delicately exquisite in its
arrangement, would be requisite to adjust the system to the mi-
nutest increments of heat, or  cold, which would act upon it;
to compensate with the nicest accuracy the decomposition of
great or little exercise; to mould and remould the organs
of infancy constantly increasing their size  in such exact pro-
portions to each other, that imperceptibly the child arrives
at maturity and still appears  the same.
   Behold  the secondary  organs!   Their  duties are four
fold ;  to eliminate useless substance from the system, to nour-
ish the system, to generate heat in the system, and to lower
the temperature of it; and at the same  time that they fulfill
these duties in respect to the primary organs, they fulfill the
same  in respect to themselves.
   As it respects these duties, the secondary organs may  be
divided into four  classes.
   1.  The eliminating or  excreting  organs,  which include
the kidneys, the liver, the lower portion, perhaps the whole
of the intestmal canal, the lungs,  the skin, and perhaps the
salivary glands and pancreas, the heart and blood-vessels,
and the nervous system of organic life.
   2.  The nutritive or digestive organs, embracing the  mas-
ticatory organs and salivary glands, the  stomach, the second
stomach, the liver, the pancreas, the heart  and blood-vessels,
and the nervous system of organic fife. 
16
   3. The  heating organs, comprehending in  part  or in
whole the  digestive  organs, the lungs, the skin, the heart
and blood-vessels, and the nervous system.
   4. The cooling organs, which are composed of the lungs,
the skin, the heart and blood-vessels, and the nervous system.
   The heart, blood-vessels, and  nervous system, seem nec-
essary in every function of the system.
   The heart is composed of two hearts in reality ; the right,
and left.  A set of blood-vessels open out of, and into each
heart.   At the left heart a set of  vessels commences by a
single trunk which divides and sub-divides in every part of
the body, terminating in  another  set of vessels called the
veins, which gradually uniting  concenter at the right heart,
opening into it.
   From this same heart another vessel opens out, which di-
vides and sub-divides in the lungs, terminating in  a set of
vessels, which lead back, from the  lungs to the left heart.
   There is one exception to  be made, to what I have just
stated.   The veins which commence in the stomach, second
stomach, pancreas and spleen, unite together and pass to the
liver dividing  and sub-dividing in  that  organ.   By this
means, there is a " blood relationship" established between
all the abdominal  digestive organs;  a fact of much impor-
tance for us to bear in mind.
   The hearts alternately contract  and expand, and the ves-
sels once filled with blood, it is driven through its never ceas-
ing round, its task never ended, but always to be done.
   Thus, by the contraction of  the left heart, the blood is
driven  out  through the arteries to their extremities, where
it  is  received by the  veins and returns back to the  expand-
ing right heart, which by contracting, communicates to it a
new impetus, that propels it through the lungs, when passing 
17
1
into the lung veins,  it finds  its way back, to the left heart,
again to run its circuit;  all  which may take place in less
time than I have occupied in writing this ; for in the healthy
state of the system, the  blood may be  driven  through its
double circuit of the body and the lungs, in less than a min-
ute ; two minutes at most, is all that experiment, or theory
will permit us to allow in calculating  the entire circuit of
blood.
   The action of the heart, is greater  or less,  as  the case
may be, but it acts impartially towards all parts of  the sys-
tem.   But as we shall hereafter see, more blood is  at times
required in one part, than is required in another.:—By the
enlargement of the blood-vessels in  any part, an increased
flow of blood through it, is obtained ; and by their  contrac-
tion,  the flow is diminished.   A healthy enlargement of the
blood-vessels of any part, may be produced  by  the  applica-
tion of gentle heat, by exercise of the part, by the tempo-
rary application of cold, by  friction, and by the application
of certain  stimulants, as they are called, differing  in  differ-
ent cases.   An unhealthy enlargement of the blood-vessels,
will be produced by disease, and by the improper use of the
means before mentioned.
   A healthy  contraction of the blood-vessels  can  be pro-
duced, by  the continued application of cold, by pressure, and
by the use of certain medicines used externally or internal-
ly ; an unhealthy contraction  of the blood-vessels  may be
produced by disease, and by the improper use of cold, &c
   I have said that the arteries open into the veins ;  this is
not strictly correct.  Between the arteries and veins, vessels
very minute in  size exist, forming a very delicate net-work,
which opens from the arteries, and  into the veins ;  they are
              3 
18
  called the capillary  blood-vessels.  It is in them that the
  enlargment of which I have spoken, chiefly  takes place.
    When the vessels of any part  become very much  dis-
  tended, it is said to be congested, or engorged, though there
  is usually an idea of sluggishness  in the circulation of the
 part intended, also.  The office  that the heart  and blood-
 vessels fulfill in  respect to excretion, is easily understood.
 In every part of the body, as decomposition  takes place, the
 decomposed substance is received by the veins, and by them
 conveyed to the heart,  and from  the heart, it passes through
 the lungs, is perhaps eliminated by them, if not, it passes
 back to the heart  and is driven out through the arteries,
 and may find its way immediately to the kidneys, the skin,
 liver, or some organ by  which it  will  be eliminated, or it
 may circulate through the system a dozen, fifty, or a hundred
 times, before it passes through that organ which is adapted
 to removing it;  but  sooner or later it  will be acted upon
 and removed.  The exception, in respect to the liver, is to
 be observed, viz.:  that the blood from the stomach, second-
 stomach, &c, as before said, passes directly to the liver and
 is acted upon, or may be, by that organ, before it returns to
 the heart.   The liver, of course, receives blood by the ar-
 teries directly from the heart.
   The office of the circulatory system, in regard to nutrition,
 is to furnish the digestive organs with a sufficient quantity
 of blood, from which the fluids  requisite  in digestion may be
 formed, to receive the digested nutriment  and convey it
 throughout the body, that it may  be deposited wherever it
 is required, to convey certain  portions  of the decomposed
 substance through the system, to  where,  here or there, they
may enter into new combinations, and  become  adapted to
the wants of some part of the system. 
19
   In respect to the production to the  heat, the influence of
 the heart and blood-vessels is very important.  It is their
 office, as in case of nutrition, to furnish the digestive organs
 with blood, that the "fuel" portion of  our  food may be di-
 gested, to receive the substance that has been digested and
 convey it where it may be decomposed, or combined with
 other substances and produce heat;  their  contents, for  in-
 stance, by continually passing through the lungs and skinf
 may be acted upon by the air, and being united to certain
 of its constituents produce heat, &c.   The fluid blood is ad-
 mirably adapted to receiving heat from any source, and by
 its circulation, to disbursing  it wherever it is required.  If
 the temperature of any part through which the blood passes
 is raised from any cause, by this means, it is immediately
 restored to an equilibrium with the other parts of the system-
 This is true, however, only with certain limitations.
   Nor is the office of these organs  less conspicuous in cool-
 ing the system.   They receive the fluids that we drink, and
 by distributing them through the  skin,  cause them to  be
 poured out  upon its surface, from  which by evaporating,
 they abstract a corresponding quantity of heat.
   A thousand adjunctive functions  in  addition to those more
 important ones I have  mentioned,  are performed through
 the intervention of the circulatory system.
   The nervous system of  organic life, consists of a nervous
 centre,  and means of communicating with all parts  of the
 body,  and vice versa.   Where this nervous centre may be,
 or whether it may be singular or plural I shall not dispute,
 as these things are of no practical consequence.  It is with-
 out doubt plural, but I shall speak of it as single.  It is  a
 " resident deity" so to speak, which renders all the involun-
tary  actions of the system  harmonious with each other, and.
* 
20
in accordance with the wants of each part and of the whole.
It is intimately connected with the brain and nervous sys-
tem of animal life, affecting it, and being affected by it.
  Its office in the function of excretion,  is extremely im-
portant, for as it is  the function of the different excreting
organs, to excrete each its own substance, and  as there is
now much of one kind, and now much of  another, to be eli-
minated, according  to what we have been doing, or eating,
and  according to the health of the system, &c,  &c, and as
moreover one  excreting organ is sometimes diseased, and its
office must be fulfilled by another, it is necessary that the
action of these organs, be at times very much increased,
and  at times very much diminished.  This can  be  in part
or altogether effected by an  enlargement or  diminution of
the blood-vessels  of the organ considered ; but there may be
besides, a nervous influence  exerted  directly,  causing the
excretion to take place more or less rapidly than usual; in
either case it is the work of  the nervous centre, to  which
the condition of the system has been made known *
   Its office, in respect to nutrition, is to  cause an  enlarge-
ment of the blood-vessels about the digestive organs, at times
when food is received, and perhaps to exert a specific influ-
ence over the  formation of the digestive fluid.   If any part
of the body, by being exercised, is rapidly decomposing, its
wants are appreciated by the nervous system, the blood-ves-
sels  of the part are enlarged,  and a more  copious flow of
blood through the part supplies its necessities.
   In all these cases the action of the heart will be increased,
or diminished as the case may require; the action of  the
respirating muscles will be controlled and a thousand effects
will be  dependent upon and produced by a cause no greater
tlian the moving of a finger.
* 
21
1
  In the function of generating heat, its influences are near-
ly of the  same nature as in case of nutrition, except that
they are much more extensive and complicate.
  In the function of expelling heat, its duties are exercised
in respect to the skin chiefly;  enlarging or contracting the
vessels of the  skin and perhaps exerting *a specific influence
over the expiration of fluid from the blood.  It produces
thirst, and at times nearly  suspends the action of the kid-
neys, that the fluids of the system may be removed by the
skin.
  The organs of excretion, as I have said, include the kid-
neys, liver, lower  portion or the whole of the intestinal ca-
nal, the lungs, the skin,  and perhaps some  other organs of
small importance.
   The  kidneys alone are solely devoted to the task of ex-
cretion ; the others perform the duty of excretion in the act
of  executing other functions.   Neither  two of these organs,
in the healthy state of the system, excrete precisely the same
substance.  Some of the excretions are very dissimilar, as
those of the liver and kidneys ;  some of them are very much
alike, as those of the lungs and  of the skin ;   but in case of
disease, either of these organs can take upon itself the task
of  either of the  others.  The  skin,  however, is the organ
which is usually selected to perform the functions of either
of the rest which may be  diseased, and it seems to supply
their place without producing so immediate or so bad effects
upon  the system, as  when the  duties  of the skin de-
volve upon the other excreting organs.  The kidneys and
liver are very seldom deranged through their own fault; the
cause is to  be found in the  prior  disease  of some  other
organ, and most generally in that of the  skin, sometimes in
that of the  lungs,  and frequently in that  of the intesti-
               3* 
22
nal canal, and their diseases are always alleviated, in a ma-
jority of cases may be cured by paying proper attention to the
skin.   The derangement of the lungs,  is to an equal degree
produced through the skin, and is not less  beneficially ef-
fected by attention to that organ.  How much the  excre-
tions  of the intestinal canal would be influenced by the skin,
we may judge from the double connection which exists be-
tween these parts, one directly,  aoid the other through the
liver  indirectly.
   The nutritive organs comprehend the masticatory organs,
the  stomach, second stomach,  liver,  pancreas, &c.   The
food is comminuted in the mouth, from whence it is swal-
lowed into the stomach where it  is mixed with the gastric
juice,  dissolved, decomposed  and recomposed,  and is then
passed into  the  second stomach where it  is  mixed with
the bile and pancreatic juice, undergoes changes, and is sepa-
rated into two parts, one altogether waste, which passes on ;
the other is received into the blood-vessels..
   The process of digestion depends upon the nature  of the
food in the first place, its quantity, and how, and when it is
eaten ; but in the second  place, it depends upon a proper
supply of gastric juice to the stomach, and of bile, and pan-
creatic juice  to the second stomach.   The supply of these
fluids depends upon a free  circulation of blood in the organ,
as an important requisite ; but it has before been shown that
the veins from the stomach, second stomach, &c, divide, and
subdivide in  the liver ; any congestion of this organ, there-
fore, or any disease whatsoever, will obstruct the circulation
about the digestive organs, nor will diseases of the digestive
organs have  a less important effect upon the  liver.   The
relation which has  been shown  to exist between the liver
aaid.the excreting organs, especially the skin, will sufficiently 
23
 explain why the digestive organs should  almost  always be
 effected by any disease of those  parts, however  slight, not
 to mention that in case of disease, there is almost always an
 altered state of the blood, as well likewise  as a more or less
 extensive derangement of the nervous system.
   The food  of the system  should  be of three kinds:  a
 waste substance, a substance to nourish the system, and  a
 substance to be burned for the purpose of keeping the sys-
 tem warm.   The first is  found abundantly in coarse bread,
 apple sauce, and most kinds of fruits ;  something of this  kind
 must be  eaten; the rule is  positive,  and must be adhered to
 very strictly by the sedentary:  it will  many times  relieve
 from the necessity of using medicine.  The second is found
 abundantly in lean meat,  milk, eggs &c.   Those who are
 laboring  diligently and exposed to a  high temperature  espe-
 cially, and in summer all, should use  them, together with the
 first kind.  The third is  found in fat, sugar, gum, starch &c;
 such kinds of food are well adapted to be used in cold weath-
 er.  A quarter of a pound of sugar, of a cold day, when  a
 person is riding, is worth more for keeping the person warm,
 than the  best warm meat dinner that can be cooked.   Su-
 gar, if eaten when the system requires it, is not unhealthy,.
 but on the other hand, very beneficial, for young or old.
   In case of the sick, the kind and  proportion  of the  food,
 should be  varied  very much according  to  circumstances.
 But it is always to be kept in mind, that a sick person, ly-
 ing upon  bed,  exercising  very  little, requires very little
 nourishment, and  if in  a warm  room,  requires but  little
food for  the purpose  of  keeping  the  body warm, be-
sides there is usually a larger or  smaller  stock  of  fat on
hand, and it is easier, as  it would  seem, for the  system to
 make use of this in preserving its temperature, than to digest 
24
new food.  There are no organs to perform the duties of the di-
gestive organs, if they are enfeebled, hence, when they are so,
we must endeavor to render their active exertion unnecessary,
by keeping the system quiet, and by  keeping it warm; by
which means, the preparation of much food will not be re-
quired.   This does not mean that exercise should not be ta-
ken, and that a person should be muffled to suffocation. One
of the best articles of diet for the invalid,  is prepared by
boiling a tablespoonful of tamarind jelly,  in a pint of milk
till  it curdles, draw off the whey to use, add two teaspoons
full of sugar, (if the stomach bears sugar,  if not,  omit it,)
one teaspoon full of gum Arabic, (or two if there is no su-
gar,) and a half a pint of strong decoction of Slippery elm
bark.  This  is very palatable and its use may be continued
for a-long time without injury,  it should  take place of all
gruels, which are  decidedly unhealthy.
   The organs adapted to producing heat, include the diges-
tive organs, in regard to  which nothing more need be said,
as the same applies as in case  of nutrition;  the lungs, the
skin, and the digestive  canal  considered  in another light
than in its office of digesting.
   But first let a few words be said upon the production of
heat. Wood  and coal are put into the stove, the air draughts
over the wood and it is burned; that  is, oertain parts of the
air combine with certain parts of the  wood, and heat is giv-
en  off.  The wick of a lamp is lighted, the oil  is gradually
exhausted or burned;  that is- certain parts of the  air com-
bine with certain parts of the oil and the heat is given off.
If  we examine the manner in which  heat is  produced in the
system of man,we  shall see it is upon the same principal; eve-
ry  composition  and decomposition produces a change of
temperature, but we find that all those, except where oxy- 
25
gen unites with hydrogen  or carbon,  are of no particular
consequence;  but wherever this does take place, in one case
water and heat, in the other carbonic acid and heat are pro-
duced.
   From whence are these  substances derived ?   Of course
ultimately from the food we eat and the air which is about
us.  Nothing farther is at present positive.   As we  notice
the process of decomposition, we  observe  that the substance
decomposed, is constituted of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen;
if  when the substance decomposes, these unite with each oth-
er and form water and carbonic acid gas, heat will be pro-
duced.  If the oxygen present is sufficient to unite with  all
the carbon and hydrogen, all is said; if not then it  might
be that oxygen from the blood which was passing just then,
might combine with the remaining carbon  and hydrogen,
producing heat.
   These things to a greater  or less  extent, are  doubtless
continually taking place; but yet will  not  by  far account
for all the phenomena that  we  see, considering which, it
would appear, that some heat was produced in all the vari-
ous parts of the system, but that the greatest part was pro-
duced in the lungs and in the skin; the first being very ap-
propriately called the furnace of the system.*
   The air which we inhail and deposit in the lungs, is compo-
sed in part of oxygen; the air-cells are extremely delicate;
the blood circulates in equally delicate blood-vessels,  and is
composed in part of oxygen  and hydrogen which it has  re-
ceived from the food, and as the results of decomposition.
   The oxygen of the air and the components of the  blood
having a strong tendency  to unite, combine and produce
  *■ Stoves and fireplacesjnay on the other hand, be called the breathing apparatus
of the house; and when one smokes, it may be called asthmatic. 
2G
 heat, a portion of this is lost by the expired air, but another
 portion warms the blood,  which  being  distributed through
 the system, becomes cool by  warming it, and  circles  back
 to have  its  temperature  again  restored,  most generous-
 ly gathering up and bringing with it its own fuel and to spare.
 Through the skin likewise, the air is continually acting up-
 on the blood, though not with so great facility as in the
 lungs, yet when the lungs are diseased and cannot vivify
 the blood perfectly, the skin becomes of immense import-
 ance, and every attention must be paid to increasing the ac-
 tion of the air through the skin;  the saliva being frothy, as
 it is swallowed, conveys air into the intestinal  canal, which
 ean there act upon the blood with almost as  great facility as
 in the lungs.   Hence, one reason why persons  having dis-
 eased lungs  have not unfrequently derived great benefit
 from public speaking.
   That  the lungs  may properly execute  their functions,
 they must receive a constant supply of pure air.   This can
 never be when every crack and cranny of a room, especial-
 ly of a sleeping room is closed and it has no  communication
 with out doers.   It  is really strange that after so much has
 been said about ventilation, so httle is done about it ; and it
 would seem that physicians are about as remiss as any person.
   The window should always be slightly open under al-
 most all circumstances ; not so that the wind  will blow upon
 the person in bed, great care should be  taken against this ;
 but a good  ventilation should  be  secured as of paramount
 importance.
  The air must be allowed to come in contact with the in-
ternal surface of the lungs ;  when this is coated from any
cause,  the  system must suffer to  a corresponding degree.
This effect we know to be in the majority of cases produced 
27
 by a derangement of the skin;  colds are taken as it is said,
 the lungs become effected, the whole system is feverish, and
 it is only by the return of the skin to its healthy action, that
 the difficulty is relieved.
   A free circulation of blood must likewise be  preserved
 through the lungs; when it  does  not exist, we  must have
 recourse to the assistance of the skin as before said.
   The class of organs that are adapted to cooling the body?
 embraces the lungs and skin;  but the  lungs  are so little
 important, that we may consider the skin as the only organ
 adapted  to this purpose.  There is no other  organ  with
 which it can alternate its  functions,  and hence it is the most
 important  organ  of  the whole  system.   Upon its  sur-
 face is  poured out  continually in larger or smaller quan-
 tities, the fluids of the system, that by evaporating  they
 may always equalize  its temperature.   The utility of this is
 seen in case of a burning fever,where the patient is tossed from
 side to side, and a raging delirium has usurped his intellect,
 a gentle perspiration  breaking out, the  evaporation  restores
 the whole system  to quiet, the man sinks into  a  refreshing
 slumber and wakes to life and health. I said there was no
 organ that alternated its functions with the  skin  in  this re-
 spect, and it  was correct.   The  kidneys remove the  fluid
 from the blood in  large quantities  sometimes, but not for the
 purpose of cooling the  system; it seems to be  thus:  the
 skin is freely perspiring and much fluid has been  taken, up"
 on exposing the skin to cold, the vessels are closed and the
 vessels of the internal organs would  have become congest-
 ed, except relieved by the action of the  kidneys.  The kid-
 neys in a similar manner evacuate a large quantity of fluid
in  certain dropsical effections when the complaint  is break-
ing up ;  and a like assistance may be rendered by the skin* 
28
The functions and structure of the skin will be treated upon
in the next chapter, and at greater length than I have  spo-
ken upon any part in this; as it was  only the intention of
this chapter to bring before the  reader a general view of all
parts, that the propriety  of observing certain rules in re-
spect to diet, air, &c, might be clearly seen, and that the re-
lation of the skin to the various  parts  might be  understood.
To speak of its  relation to  the primary organs would occupy
too much space,  except as something may be  said in  the
next chapter.
   The system is a whole, and a derangement of any one of
its parts, deranges the whole.  It is a most wondrous piece
of mechanism, capable from a few bits of a potatoe or the like,
of producing its own heat,  repairing its own losses, and de-
veloping itself  to maturity.  Well did the  poet exclaim
from the fullness of his heart,

              " How wonderful, how complicate is man,
              How passing wonder He who made him such."

   Nor can we examine the least part  or most inferior func-
tion of this   " beautiful piece of clay," without feeling in
part at least the  enthusiasm of another,

              "-----was every faltering tongue of man,
              Almighty Father silent in thy praise,
              Thy works themselves would raise a general voice
              -----proclaim thy power;
              And to the Choir celestial Thee resound,
              The eternal cause, support and end of all." 
29
                  CHAPTER  III.

  In the present chapter, the reader is to be presented with
a more particular description of the functions and structure
of the skin, and a concise view of the effects of bathing both
in health and sickness.
  I shall divide baths into warm and cold; those of a com-
fortable temperature  and more elevated, I shall call warm;
those below are cold.  This  point varies much in  different
individuals, and in the  same individual at different times.
The effect of cold or warm baths as  you pass to the ex-
tremes above or below this point, differ only in degree.
  Cold baths include sea, river or  lake, tub, ice, shower,
affusion, douche, sponge and  cold air baths.   Warm baths
include tub, shower, affusion, douche, sponge, vapor and hot
air baths.
   Sea or river bathing is sufficiently well understood;  the
tub  bath is  a reservoir, tub, or box  of sufficient size to
immerse the body ; the ice bath is  the application  of ice in
such a manner that it shall effect the whole or  part of the
body;  the shower bath is an arrangement for allowing the
water  to  come down through small  orifices,  and thereby
to resemble  a shower;  the, affusion  bath is  where  the
water is gently poured over a person; a douche bath is
where the water  is spouted or poured in a small stream,
and with some force upon some part of the body ;  a sponge
bath consists in the application of water by the  sponge by
towels, by the hand  or any  such  means, to a  part or the
              4 
30
whole of the body ; a vapor bath is for the purpose  of sub-
jecting a part or the whole  of the  body to vapor.
   Vapor  may  be produced by any means that will  do it,
and received in any thing that  will contain it.  A hot  or
cold  air  bath  is obtained by  subjecting  the body, or  a
part of it to cold or hot air.
   Baths may likeAvise  be divided into simple,  medicated,
and perfumed ;  the nature of which is sufficiently indicated
 by their names.
   Baths may be applied  either locally or generally ; and in
both cases their effects will vary according to the  state of
the constitution. The effects of baths will vary according as
 they are used  momentarily or continuously.
   The first effect of baths will  always be upon the skin, and
 through this, a secondary effect will be produced upon the
 system, mental as well as physical,

                " E'en from  the bodies purity, the mind
                 Receives a  secret, sympathetic aid."

    The system at large is affected by baths through the skin,
 in the  first place, by the  conduction of heat, either to it, or
 from it;  and  in the second place by the effect which baths
 have upon the functions of the skin.   Let us immediately
 consider these in their order, and  the effects  of  the various
 kinds of bathing upon them,  and  at the same time the ef-
 fects upon the other parts of the body through them ; to do
 which, advantageously, it will also be necessary to consider
 the structure of the skin.
    The skin is composed of  three, lamina, the cuticle, the
 rete mucosum, and the dermis.
    The outer lamina, or  cuticle, is that colorless, bloodless, 
31
nerveless part, under which the water of the blister is depo-
sited.  It serves as a protection to all within it, and is the
medium, through which the impressions are made  upon the
delicate nerves, that terminate at the  surface of the dermis.
To fulfil this intention, it must be soft, yielding and elastic.
Hence its surface is constantly lubricated, with an oily wa-
ter shedding fluid, to keep it from cracking and  chapping.
But upon its surface is likewise deposited the excretions  of
the skin, the fluid for evaporation, the dust, &c, &c.
   Thereby  a kind of viscid gum is formed, which coats the
skin, closing the tiny mouths  through which the oily secre-
tions is poured out.  The cuticle  then  becomes  harsh and
dry, it cracks and is troublesome, it looks coarse and brown,
and ere long gives way to  cutaneous diseases, eruptions, &c.
It would seem then, that much attention should be paid to
removing this varnish, as it might be called, especially if it
is considered that two pounds of substance upon an average
are daily thrown out by the skin.  A large portion  of this
to be sure is water and evaporates, but quite an amount  re-
 mains, to injure the cuticle and retard the execution of the
 various functions of the skin.  That the removal of this is
 important,  how many  can  testify from  experience in sum-
 mer, when  a free prespiration, softens the accumulations up-
 on the skin, and the friction of the clothing removes them,
 while for comfort's sake, ablution is occasionally practised,
 the cuticle  becomes soft and agreeable,  the  skin is healed of
 its chaps, and eruptions disappear, which again becomes trou-
 blesome, when cold weather comes on.  In some  cases how-
 ever ablution being very seldom performed, the substance  up-
 on the skin being merely softened, it remains upon the skin,
 becomes acrid, irritates it and not unfrequently by being  ab-
 sorbed, together with other causes, it produces fatal  disease 
32"
in the system.  The cuticle can be partly cleansed by rub-
bing the skin thoroughly with the flesh brush, the flesh rub-
bed with towels, &c, and by cold baths, if frequently used,
but much more  effectually  by the warm water bath,  and
most perfectly by the vapor bath.   The  cold baths do not
remove the oily substance from the skin, easily.   The warm
tub bath is very good in this respect, but it is apt to corru-
gate some parts of the skin, if used? for a sufficient length of
time, to cleanse the  skin upon  all parts   of the body, as is
frequently seen after it has been used.   Soap is frequently
used, but should not be ;  it  not only removes  the oil from
the surface of the skin, but absorbs it from.the cuticle, which
it renders rough and liable to chap.  The vapor bath,  soft-
ens  all the substances upon the cuticle, and by the use of the
towel, it can all be perfectly removed, and: it leaves the  cutir-
cle with a soft and delicate feel.   K a shower bath follows
this, the effect will  be  admirable*  The  warm  sponge  bath
answers very well, if a convenient apparatus is  not at hand,
to give a vapor bath ;   if the cuticle yet  remains hard, some
emollient substance  may be added to the bath,  or what is
better, it may  be rubbed  over the skin after the bath has
been taken.
   The perfumed bath will have a permanent effect upon the
cuticle.*   Whatever substance is used, will be more or less
absorbed, and as the blood does  not circulate through the
cuticle, like any membrane it will for a long time retain the
odor of the perfume that has acted upon it.   The effect will
be but slight, except in case of the vapor bath,  in which if
strong  perfumes are used, it will be perceptible for days, or
weeks.
* This remark applies of course only to the " Toilet Vapor Bath. '* 
33
  The second lamina of the skin is the rete mucosum.  This
is a delicately organised, pulpy net-work ; the seat of the pig-
ment, that distinguishes the complexion.   It  is both  useful
and ornamental.  For while it  intervenes,  like a cushion,
between the cuticle and the nerves, to  shield  them from the
harm of too great pressure, it gives such  exquisite beauty
to this our outer garment, that it  seems at times, as if it had
robbed the lily of its delicate whiteness.   Like all the in-
ternal parts of the body, the pigment is continually removed
and re-deposited, though the change takes place slowly, com-
pared with the  renovation that  is going  on in some  parts.
Cases  proving  this, have  occurred, where  by sickness a
beautiful  complexion was gained;  though they  more  fre-
quently occur Avhere one  is  lost.  It is also  necessary  that
the air and light should act freely upon the pigment,  that it
may possess its greatest beauty ;  a lovely lustrous white, of
peculiar deepness and attraction.   The sickly pallor of  per-
fect seclusion, the languid  paleness, too frequently charac-
teristic of an unhealthy city life, is far from desirable.  Too
much  exposure to the sun and wind, on the other hand,
browns the  skin, or produces freckles,  which  can hardly be
said to add  much to the beauty  of  complexion, though in-
finitely preferable by any person with truly refined taste, to
the death-like blanchness before mentioned.   The healthy
action of the air and light, is obtained  by the same means as
were directed to be used for the benefit of the cuticle  ; an
active circulation of blood in the skin  renews the  pigment,
and is to be obtained,  and  preserved,  by friction  upon the
skin, the  momentary use of the cold baths, the shower for
instance, the application of heat,  the hot air, or the vapor, or
the warm water baths, for instance, and the use of warm
clothing.  Thus will be given to the complexion, a delicate
              4* 
34
freshness  of  coloring,  which  combined  with the subdued
tinge, communicated by the freely coursing blood, can only
be compared  to the "exquisite bloom that dwells on the roses
of paradise."   A bath should certainly form a part of every
ladies toilet.   For if the luxury of a vapor bath,  perfumed
with otto of roses, or some other of natures highly elaborated
compounds, if the softness and delicacy it will give to the tex-
ture of the skin, and which constitute so much of woman's
outward loveliness and  beauty, are thought effeminate, and
unworthy to be sought, most surely  a wholesome clearness of
complexion, may not be despised,  especially  when  only a
concomitant with so many other advantages, as are bestowed
by the bath.
   The dermis is the third, and deepest, as  well  as most im-
portant lamina of the skin;   it  is hence not unfrequently
called the true skin.   Its upper  surface is studded with the
minute extremities of nervous filaments, that connect  with
the nervous centre of organic life, and also, with the brain ;
thereby rendering the skin the organ of the  sense of touch.
These nerves, not only report the nature of objects in con-
tact with  us,  as it respects  their softness, or  hardness, their
dryness or moisture, their form and irregularities, but they
also faithfully transmit with the most discriminating accura-
cy the slightest impressions made by the ever varying tem-
perature to which we are subject,  thus assuring us  when
we may enjoy ourselves in peaceful  security.  Nor is the
sense of touch merely passive, but is active, and indeed one
of the most  pleasure giving  of the senses, delighting the
mind with the most .soothing  sensations,  as  when the soft
breeze of summer plays upon the brow ; when in careless dis-
habille  a  person has stretched himself upon the ground be-
neath the shade of some old elm, to inhale the odor of flowers 
35
and bush, and tree, and fresh mown hay ; to listen to the ca-
dence of the music making waters ; to hear the chirping of the
thoughtless birds, the singing of the summer loving grasshop-
pers, or the cricking of the happy crickets; to look at the
dancing leaves, the waving limbs, and fickle clouds that
flit apast the the  sun, as if no  winter's wind  should ever
freeze them,—to  enjoy the full satisfaction of the senses, and
think of----nothing.  That  gently breathing  breeze, as it
wafts along, filling every nerve  with such  tranquil etherial
delight, ere he is aware, does not the individual thank God for
existence, and bless  him  that  he has gifted man  with the
sense of feeling.
   Nor do they fail to warn us when danger is  approaching.
For let the chill north-east blast, the servant of  consumption,
steal upon us ever so  treacherously, they wake us  to alarm
in the first moment of peril, nor will they cease their uneasi-
ness, till the system is protected with a good warm wrapper.
Nor are they less assiduous, in warning the nervous  centre
of organic life, that every effort may be made to fortify the
system against the attack  made upon it.   All this  occurs
when health and vigor reign universally throughout the sys-
tem.  But if the circulation through the skin  is  irregular,
and accumulations upon the skin render all its functions ir-
regular, our vigilant sentinel, thrown off its guard, or unable
to fulfil its duties, no longer rouses the nervous centres to
action,  and coughs, colds, liver complaints and all their train,
whose name is legion, creep stealthily in and  seize without
mercy, upon  their unprotected victims ; the  brain is dis-
tressed with false reports, as when a  patient attacked  with
the fever and ague, gathers himself up before  a roaring fire
in mid-summer, shivering  and chattering as if  all the winds
of the north and  eas.t, had come to dwell with him*  In some 
36
cases, the skin is not at all in fault, its functions being per-
fectly  performed,  the nervous  centres, are themselves de-
ranged, and originate  the sensations that are referred to the
organ of sense as the  producing cause.
  That the sense of feeling may be refined and acute, giving
us all the pleasures  it is capable of conferring, and that it
may be alive to all the dangers that assail us, a proper state
of the circulation must be preserved, and no substance must
be allowed to collect upon the cuticle.   How  these  requisi-
tions are to be satisfied, has already been shown.
   The effects of bathing upon the system through the nerves
are very various.   First, of the effects of the cold baths mo-
mentarily and generally applied ;  this is best exhibited by
the shower bath ;  the water falling impinges upon the skin,
and running quickly  over it, removes much heat; alarm in-
stantly seizes the nerves of the skin, and they telegraph the
brain ; quick as thought it  bestirs itself, and sends the most
imperative despatches to  the  organs of sense, that  they
awake to their duty,   and learn the extent  and source  of
danger;  every muscle is put in readiness for the action that
may be  required upon  the receipt of further inteligence.
 Equally seasonable is the report to the nervous centre of or-
ganic life;  the sudden loss of heat is made known ~T  with the
speed of lightning a hundred  influences are exerted,  the
blood-vessels of the skin are enlarged that they may contain
more blood, the heart is brought into violent action,  amount-
ing almost to palpitation, that the blood may be driven to the
surface,  the respiratory muscles are almost convulsed  that
heat may be supplied to  the system, compensatory for that
which is lost, the  appetite is called upon to increase its de-
mands, the stomach is put in order to  receive the required
food, the activity of the liver and pancreas is increased that 
37
the fluids necessary on the occassion, may be supplied, every
organ, primary and   secondary, is  brought to its post, so to
speak ; hence, the shock, as it is so called.  For the instant,
this  is  not  pleasant, but no farther cause for alarm being
perceived,  and  the  reacting  blood producing a grateful
warmth throughout the skin, the most pleasureable sensations
are experienced, and the excited action of the system is qui-
eted, but not  altogether, as when a spirited horse has felt
the whip he forgets it not soon, so in the present case though
the cause acts but for the instant, the  effect lasts the whole
day.
   If the system is sufficiently vigorous to cause the reaction,
or the  bright glow, this bath is decidedly advantageous, or if
the glow is produced by wiping the  skin, the bath may be
adventured upon farther, but with caution.  If however the
skin remains pale, and the person feels cold, the experiment
must not be repeated, and must be immediately followed  by
a warm bath; vapor will be best.  This bath may be used
with the greatest profit in the morning. It gives a person an
excellent appetite for breakfast as would be understood;  by
causing the forcible  action of the respiratory muscles, it  ex-
pels the air which  has been stagnant in the outskirts of the
lungs  during the night, and  produces an energy in  the
system  generally, fitting a  person  for the  duties of  the
day.
   In those states of the  system  where there  is general de-
bility, in cases of chronic dispepsia and the like, where the.
complaint seems to arise from no particular cause, the stimu-
lating effect of this kind of bathing will be found of the great-
est advantage.   If the temperature of the skin is depressed
by cold, or elevated  by heat, the effect of the shower will be
very different.   In  some cases, where the skin  is  pale and 
38
bloodless, the impression that will be made by a shower will
cause a rush of blood to the surface,  and be  very genial in
its effects.   If the temperature of the surface has been ele-
vated by standing by the fire, by taking a warm bath, or by
exercise, or by the heat of summer, the shower will  hardly
be felt.  Most persons would suppose on the  contrary, that
taking a shower bath immediately after taking a vapor bath
would be very unpleasant.  But why should it be ?   Under
such circumstances, what cause is there for alarm ? Heat had
better be lost than not.  Hence the  Russian takes a vapor
bath, and rushes out to roll himself in the  snow, or jumps
 into the half frozen river, not only with perfect impunity, but
 with decided benefit.   A vapor bath followed by a  shower,
 will be one of the greatest luxuries to a man in health that can
 be  enjoyed,  every pore seems to drink in delight, and the
 whole soul to be revived, mental elasticity is brought to its
 most healthful tone, the eye sparkles with the animation that
 pervades both  body  and mind, and  the  waves of blood as
 they flow and reflow, will paint upon  the cheek with most
 beautiful tints the slightest emotions that spring up in the soul.
   The local  application will have the effects I have  now
 spoken of, but in a less degree;  the chief effect is to cause
 a reaction to the part upon which the application is made-
 It is* exceeding useful in many of those cases of a dropsical
 nature, where the circulation is stagnant.   Where there  is
 recent numbness, it is very advantageous; almost always in
 the  first cases, and in a majority of the last, it should be pro-
 ceeded by a local or general vapor bath.*   I have  spoken
  * In many of these cases where I speak of bathing, let me be understood to
 mean in addition to other treatment, though in many it is sufficient of itself; but a
 good judgment must be exercised in respect to this. And let me also say, that of
 course the other treatment will have an effect upon the manner in which bathin"
 pught to be applied. 
39
of the shower bath as producing all these effects that I have
mentioned, but they will be  produced by either of the other
kinds of cold bath used for a few moments.  If we step into
the sea, river, or tub  bath, and immediately come out, reac-
tion and  glow will succeed.  The  effect of the cold air bath
is so gentle that it  can hardly  be  classed  with  the shower
bath, no shock will be produced, but it acts nevertheless as
a slight stimulus.  The sponge bath is intermediate in its ef-
ects between the air and shower bath.  Most of the cold is pro-
duced by evaporation, and  there  is  a succession of slight
shocks, as the sponge  is brought upon the skin.  The warm
shower, and sponge  bath may be classed with  the  cold
shower as the effect is the same, only gentler.
  The continued application of the cold bath affects the sys-
tem  very  differently  from  the transient application.   The
cold tub bath illustrates the effect well;  at first the shock
and reaction is similar to the effect of the shower bath. The
internal  organs labor to generate heat as rapidly as it is
lost, and for a time they  succeed;  but over excitement ex-
hausts them in a short time.   Heat is continually removed,
the nervous system becomes very much depressed,  and the
individual is deprived of both  physical and mental energy ;
the power of generating heat is especially affected.  How often
lads go into the water and remain, till when they leave, their
 teeth  will chatter, and  a whole day will be required before
 the energies of the system will be restored.  Sometimes  it
unfortunately happens that this practice being too frequently
repeated the vital energies become exhausted and the boy
sickens and dies.  As a means of reducing the excitement
of the system,  when not of a nervous character, and  when
 accompanied with much heat, the cold  bath is very good;
 but the greatest care must be  used not to remain too long in 
40
x'he bath;  if there is the least discomfort upon coming out
of the bath, recourse must be had to the warm bath.  If the
 system is debilitated, the cold tub bath must by no means be
 used; but of a warm day and in case of a full constitution,
 the cold bath used for a proper length of time, will be very
 refreshing and strengthening,  and will give tone to the mental
 energies.  There is less danger attendant upon the use of the
 sea or river bath than upon  that of the tub bath,  the exer^
 cise of swimming assisting in the production of  heat;  the
 sea bath seems to have a more stimulating  effect than the
 river, and I think different from what would  be produced by
 its temperature  alone, but from the low temperature of a sea
 bath, it must be used with the greatest caution by the feeble.
 The continued  cold  bath is  applied locally with the very
 best effect;  it  quiets the action  of the part, lessening the
 pain, and in many instances entirely removing it.  At first
 of course it excites reaction,  but  after a little time this is
 overcome ; but of this I can speak more appropriately when
 treating of the effect of the conduction of heat from the sys-
 tem.
    The local application of the cold bath is usually by means
 of the sponge or of towels dipped in  water.   Ice is some-
  times used, but it seems  to me to be too powerful as a gen-
  eral thing; and that some persons have lived  after  its (im-
  proper, as I should say) application, only shows what can be
  endured, not what ought to be ;  it is  sometimes used with
  the greatest advantage.  Cooling lotions are sometimes made
  use of, to quiet nervous excitement.
    The effects  of warm  baths,  if  not applied  of a  very
  high temperature, are at first soothing or quieting, then stim-
 ulating or exciting, and then exhausting. The most favorable
 ««>f the warm baths is  the  vapor;  its temperature can be 
41
graduated  more accurately and  raised more uniformly and
its effect is less  harsh,  so to speak, less immediate, and at
the same time more effectual than the water bath.   The
temperature of the vapor bath should  be very low at first,
and gradually raised;  it will then be  perceived that when
the temperature of the vapor is above that of the body a very
placid state of the nervous system is  experienced, which al-
lows all parts of the body  to participate in the relaxation
which it is  itself enjoying, but as  the temperature increases,
the nervous centre is made aware of the exposure to which
the body is subject, and the whole  system is excited to ac-
tion, a profuse perspiration breaks out,  that by evaporation
the system  may be relieved of heat; if the bath is taken for
a still  longer time the  over excitement will produce  ex-
haustion, the  skin  especially will be in  a very relaxed
state, which  if it has  not been carried too far, is some-
what  relieved by the  astringent effects of cold; if it has,
cold will make a bad matter worse, time only will enable a
person to recover.   A vapor bath should never be taken for
this extreme length of time.   It should only be taken till
the perspiration begins to start upon the lips or forehead,
cold should then be applied to the head by means  of wet
cloths,  lotions,  the  shower,  or the  like.    If a  person
will be governed  by  this  rule,  there will never he any
danger of  taking cold from any exposure to which he shall
subject  himself.   The effects of  hot air are similar, but of a
more stimulating nature ; the vapor tends to soften  the ef-
fects of the heat.
   The warm water bath is similar also, but the water seems
to act more dead, so to speak, the increase and diminution of
temperature cannot be governed so well.  Its effect is more
 immediate, and hence sometimes apoplexy has occured upon 
42
 taking the warm tub bath of a high temperature, the action
 of the system was so violently increased.  Its relaxing ef-
 fect upon the skin is much greater than that of vapor, and
 hence persons sometimes take severe colds after it.  I have
 seen a young man but  recently,  who is on his way to the
 grave, probably from  exposure after taking  the warm tub
 bath.   Too great care cannot be  used in taking the warm
 bath.   There is  no  rule by which to be  governed  in the
 length of time, during which it may be used as there is hi
 case of the vapor bath.   As soon as any oppression is  felt,
 or any dizziness, most surely the bath is to be left, and  cold
 water should be applied to the head.
   The warm bath should very rarely be employed general-
 ly.   77ie head should  never be exposed to the vapor or warm
 water, except for some disease of the part.  But on the  oth-
 er hand cold should be  applied by the sponge  or towel, or
 by means of ice; this  will render the bath much more pleas-
 ureable  and tonic in its  effect.  The warm sponge bath is
 used by a great many who have not better means at hand,
 and is prefered to the cold sponge, though  it is nothing like
 as congenial to health.  It is  more  grateful  to the nerves
 while being used, and its use is not reprehensible  if care is
 taken that the skin is not too  long exposed;  for the evapo-
 ration of the water, and the conduction of heat by the air, is
 apt to lower the temperature of the body.
   But I must pass to consider the other functions of the skin.
   The dermis is not only plentifully  supplied with nerves,
but an equal or even  greater number of blood-vessels are  ev-
ery where distributed through it, forming a net work so del-
icate that its meshes are  not perceptible to the naked eye ;
so that when  the blood mantles  to the cheek,  it seems as if
the roseate tint was spread by the pencil of the painter,  not 
43
 by the blood  confined  within  its appropriate vessels.  By
 this means the skin is supplied with blood, and made able  to
 perform its functions of absorption, excretion, and causing
 evaporation.  By absorption it receives oxygen and perhaps
 other constituents of the air;  the fluids and solids floating in
 the air and whatever is about us.   By  absorption of oxygen
 it produces heat, (and perhaps other effects,) and takes upon
 itself the function peculiar to the lungs.  By the absorption of
 water the functions of the system  will at times be assisted.
 By the absorption of other substances  the  system will be
 nourished,  medicated or poisoned.  Absorption  of oxygen
is facilitated by keeping the skin clean and moist  by an ac-
tive circulation of blood in it, and by exposing it to pure air.
Absorption of moisture is facilitated by  diminished action of
 of the kidneys, abstinence from drinks, an active  circulation
and exposure to heat and moisture for a few moments and the
removing the heat by conduction as soon as perspiration be-
gins to flow.   Absorption of nutriment and  medicament is
facilitated by abstinence from food by applying the substance
in the form of a hot fluid, or of vapor, and  by conducting
away the heat as soon  as the  perspiration begins to  flow;
by a free circulation, by cleansing the skin,  by rubbing the
substance upon, into, and through,  the cuticle, and by abad-
ing the cuticle and  applying the  substance  directly to the
dermis.   Absorption is prevented  by supplying the system
plentifully  with food  and drink;  by  keeping the system
 warm, and by exciting a gentle, continual perspiration.
   By its function of excretion, the skin relieves  the system
 of effete  substances which have been  introduced with  the
 food,  absorbed by the skin or  lungs, or  have resulted from
 the decomposition of the body.  Its task  in  this  respect, is
 very  important, for as soon as it is not  fulfilled by the skirt,. 
4-i
it is  devolved upon some other of the excreting organs, and
congestion, and inflammation, and irregularities are  seen in
the liver, lungs, kidneys, and digestive canal.  Excretion is
facilitated by a free circulation of blood through the skin, by
cleanliness of the skin, and by a dry air, (if not too dry,) and
by the presence in the blood of substances to be excreted, and
perhaps  by a specific nervous  influence exerted over  this
function.
   By its function of causing evaporation, the skin relieves
the system of its  superabundant heat, and becomes the most
important organ  of the body.   The  substance perspired for
this  purpose is not usually distinguished from the excretions
of the skin, but they seem to be sufficiently distinct; though
both are  eliminated at the same time in many cases.  This
function is affected in the same manner as that of excretion.
   A free circulation of blood through  the  skin, and cleanli-
ness seem to be equally  essential to the healthful  execution
of all these functions of the skin.  Cleanliness is obtained as
has  been shown by frequent change of  clothing, by rubbing
the  skin frequently, and  by baths.   Of these the vapor bath
is the most favorable; the warm tub bath, sponge bath, show-
er bath; the cold shower, sponge, and tub or river bath being
according to the  order in which I  have  mentioned them.
AVoolen flannel is the best article that can be worn next the
skin, it should be changed often;  that which is worn during
the day should not be worn during the night, and  two  suits
of flannel should  be worn each week.  The stockings  espe-
cially should be frequently changed.  In case of feeble per-
sons who are troubled with cold feet, they should be chang-
ed twice or three times  per day.   Baths  should be taken
every day.   The best course is to. take  a shower bath every
morning, and a vapor  bath once or twice per week, this 
45
   will keep the skin in a perfect condition as it respects clean-
   liness.  A free circulation of blood is obtained by  friction
   upon the skin, and  by keeping the skin warm.   There are
   valves in the veins  which prevent  the blood from flowing
'   backwards in them,  so that by friction upon the surface, the
   blood is caused  to flow on in one  direction.   The surface
   should always be  briskly rubbed after any  bath has been
  taken, not only to render the circulation active, but that the
  chill of evaporation may be prevented.   Heretofore it has
  been shown, that the transient application of  cold will pro-
   duce  reaction through  its effects upon the nervous system,
  but that its continued application will overcome this, and
  contract more or less the vessels of the skin.   This  can be
   effected by the bath, or  by exposure to cold in any manner.
   Hence the  necessity for clothing the system  warmly,  espe-
   cially those parts that are most  exposed, the feet for  in-
   stance.   People frequently tie  up their  mouths to protect
   themselves from taking' cold, when it would be far more ju-
   dicious  for them to tie a handkerchief  about  their feet.
   There is no proper protection for  the  feet that the customs
   of society will allow  ladies to wear.  Rubbers are decidedly
   bad if worn for any  length of time  continuously; they may
   be  worn in the streets, but should always be laid off within
   doors, in church for  instance.  But if  ladies  will have their
   shoes, bottoms and sides, lined with nice, closely woven flan-
   nel, instead of kid, or cotton, or linen, they will find them  a
   great deal warmer, at the  same time that  they fit the foot
   more genteelly; two or three thicknesses of silk are still bet-
   ter.   Gentlemens boots lined with cloth  are much warmer
   than when lined with leather.
      But while the  continued  application of cold  air or water
   depresses the circulation of the skin,  the application of heat
                  5* 
4G
excites, hence the advantage of warm baths when  the skin
has become cold and pinched; and here again, the vapor
bath has  the, pre-eminence, the excitement is less sudden
and forced.
  If the warm baths are used for too long time, the action
of the skin becomes languid, the internal  organs  are  op-
pressed and much harm ensues, for much excitement is always
followed by the opposite extreme.
  To quicken the circulation of the skin, then, we perceive
that the same rule holds, as applies in respect to cleanliness.
 Let a shower bathj followed by brisk rubbing of the skin, be
taken every morning  and a vapor bath once  or twice  per
week.   If a person is an invalid, he must  be  governed of
course by the state  of the system.
   But some more particular notice ought to be taken, of the
 effects of absorption, excretion, and evaporation, upon the
functions of other organs of the system.
   Oxygen may be  absorbed by  the skin.  The absorption
of this chiefly depends upon the lungs, but if they are dis-
eased, they  cannot  perform their  task.    It is  of vital
importance that the blood be oxygenated, and  hence the ab-
 sorption by the skin must be increased by all possible means,
or the whole system will correspondingly suffer.
   The atmosphere  to which the  patient is exposed, must be
kept warm and moist, for on  account of its  warmth, less ox-
ygen  will  be  required, and  on accocnt of  its  moisture
the  skin will  be  more permeable to  the oxygen.   Too
 great heat or moisture will be  unfavorable, as they  would
 relax  the skin, and  cause  a feeble  circulation  of  blood
 in it.  An active circulation must be preserved by friction,
 and by warm clothing, and the baths, and as before said, the
 sapor bath regulated according to circumstances, is the one, 
47
most certainly, to be used in case of lung complaints, but it
must very rarely be carried beyond, if quite  to the point of
causing gentle perspiration upon the face.  It adds heat to
the system very gently, softens and  moistens the  skin, and
renders the circulation in the skin active.   The absorption
of moisture is rarely of consequence.  When drink cannot
be taken without distressing the digestive organs, and there
is much thirst, it may be desirable ;  it may be accomplished
as before said; or if the system is feverish, the thirst can be
allayed by sponging with cold water  or by the cold  bath, as-
by  conduction and evaporation, heat  is abstracted  and  the
necessity of using drink avoided.   It would  be difficult if
not impossible  to introduce sufficient nutriment through  the
skin to benefit the system at all.   To avoid the  absorption
of poison or miasmata, the vessels  of the skin should be
kept distended by a free use  of food and drink,  and  the
skin kept quite warm and gently perspiring.
   If our western  people would  always take some food or
drink before going ©ut in the damp air in the morning,  and
if they would  protect  themselves against the chilliness of
morning and evening, which is always considerable, however
warm  the middle of the day, they would be little troubled
with fever and ague, or any of those troubles that are  con-
sidered the necessary evils of the new country.  To assist in
this object it is evident that the warm and not the cold baths
 should be used, the vapor or hot air being better adapted,
 I should  prefer the hot air.
    To cause the absorption of medicines, the warm tub, and
 vapor  baths have been made use  of.   The administering
 medicines in the form of vapor is altogether the  most suc-
 cessful and advisable way ;  when vaporized, they are very
 finely  comminuted, and of course   more easily introduced^
• 
48
besides the heat of the vapor, by distending the vessels of
the skin, disposes them to receive the substance readily ; as
soon, however, as the heat causes the perspiration to start,
cold should be applied to the skin  to check it,  and prevent
the absorbed substance from being thrown out;  or if the
system will not bear the cold, the bath must be suspended
merely; but of medicated baths,  I shall speak in another
place.
   By increasing  or decreasing the circulation and excre-
tion of the skin, we are able to effect any or all  the other ex-
ereting organs  in a very sensible  degree.  Whatever tends
to diminish the excretion of the skin, throws a greater  task
upon the others, while on the other hand, when we increase
the excretions of the skin, we relieve the others, and if  they
are diseased restore them to a healthy  condition.   How true
is this of the skin and lungs ; if we are exposed to the  cold,
and the action  of the skin is thereby  checked, the " chest
is stuffed" almost immediately, and as soon as we can restore
the action of the skin, it  is as immediately relieved, and so
of the kidneys, liver, and  intestinal  canal.   Exposure to
cold, checks the excretions from the skin as  we have seen,
as does also  a high heat, and a very moist atmosphere. A
high heat by over stimulation, and a very moist atmosphere,
by preventing a free evaporation, causing an unhealthy ac-
cumulation of heat, and when they both occur  togther, the
skin is very  much deranged;  and in this case, it  seems
that the  decarbonizing  of  the  blood devolves  upon the
liver, as it becomes  important that less heat be generated
than would be if the the blood  was  decarbonized in the
lungs, hence the natural task of both skin and lungs  devolv-
ing in part upon the liver,  it is in a short time diseased by
sveraction; congestion directly and indirectly  taking place-,.
« 
49>
and of course, in a very short time, the whole digestive ap-
paratus is out of order.   We here see, it would appear the
entire, or a sufficient reason why the derangement of the
skin  in cold weather, and in northern climes, should effect
the lungs as it does, and why in summer, and especially to-
wards  the  close of summer, and in southern climates, it
should effect the fiver the most seriously.  One of the most
distinguished physiologists that fives, says, " The frequency
of diseases of the liver and intestinal organs in damp marshy
climates is still unexplained.   Could it be ascertained that
in some way these circumstances impede  circulation and
cause congestions, it would be very easy to conceive why the
liver and intestinal canal suffer most in the cases;  for the
circulation  in  these organs  must be doubly impeded, the
blood of the intestinal veins and of the venel portae having
to circulate through a second capillary system of vesselsr
namely, that of the liver before reaching the general circu-
lation."*
  It seems  we  have  ascertained how these circumstances
impede circulation  and  cause congestions; and we have
learned how to avoid  their injurious results; it is by the fre-
quent use of cold baths.   By this means, Ave conduct away
the heat from the system  and restore the tone of the skin.
   But when extensive derangement of the abdominal  ori-
gans, has already occurred, it  will  not be  advisable to use
the cold bath, but the warm should be applied.  I do not
know from personal observation the effects of the  vapor
bath upon liver complaints, in  southern climates, but so far
as I can learn, there  is no complaint which is more favorably
affected by a vapor bath than Uver complaints; at the north

          * Muller translated byBaly, London, 1840, page 165. 
50
 it is certainly one of the very surest remedies and ought to
 be resorted to, in almost all cases.  That great control is had
 through the skin, over the kidneys, is better known to the
 physician than to the non-professional man.  If  the  action
 of the kidneys is too slight, the cold bath should be resorted
 to, and an abundance of drink used; if too great, the warm
 bath should be used, and more or less profuse perspiration
 produced as the case may demand, and abstinence from drink
 should be enforced.  The excretions of the digestive canal are
 very readily acted upon through the skin, though by its func-
 tions of excreting it would seem only to  affect the increased
 action of the  intestinal canal; this  will be checked almost
 immediately by  a vapor bath ;  I mean those  ordinary cases
 which  are productive  of much inconvenience,  though in no-
 wise alarming.   The vapor bath  will  likewise  move the
 bowels in case of constipation, but this effect has no connec-
 tion ^with the  excretions of the skin.
   There are  a thousand other effects  that are produced by
 increasing or diminishing the excretions of the skin,  but  I
 have not space to speak of them.
   By evaporation the whole system is relieved of heat, and
through the influence  of the nervous system is gently stimu-
lated to action.  Too  great indolence of the nutritive organs
is injurious, they having been adapted by their constitution
to action, and  the loss of heat by evaporation makes action
necessary.
   The loss of much fluid from the  skin for the  purpose of
affecting the  kidneys,  I have spoken of under  excretion.
But I will speak of it as affecting dropsical affections, under
this  head.  In these affections, the  less drink there is used,
and the more active the kidneys and skin, the more readily
will the fluid be  taken up  that  is deposited  in the system, 
51
 causing the dropsy.   To render the skin active under such
 circumstances^, nothing is so good as the vapor  bath, for it
 stimulates the part affected at the same time it increases the
 activity of the skin.
   Exposure to  cold  renders  evaporation unnecessary;  a
 moist atmosphere prevents it, while  exposure to  heat rend-
 ers it necessaiy,  and dry air  facilitates  it.  At times then
 we can relieve the action of the skin by  the  cold  bath; a
 cold  sponge bath will be most appropriate, which by conduc-
 tion and evaporation will remove heat.   But this  must not
 be carried too far, for it is to be recollected  that the excre-
tions of the skin  are partly fluid, and if too much  heat is re-
moved by conduction, they will remain behind to cause disease
in the lungs  and  liver.   For this reason it is that those who
work in underground  rooms  suffer  very  much from lung
complaints.  Exercise is taken and much substance  is to be
eliminated, but too much heat is lost by conduction to have
any lost by evaporation, for such places are damp  and  cold
at best, especially if not occupied the whole while.   It  is
no wonder that people who speak  in  such apartments, that
are open only once in  a  few  days, are troubled with the
most serious affections.   Necessity  alone should excuse the
occupation of such rooms.  Is not God  the author of the
physical laws ?
   But the skin from the position it  occupies  has the acci-
dental functions of conducting heat to and from the internal
 organs.
   Heat acts upon all the organs directly, as it does upon the
 skin, it stimulates them to action.  It increases the capacity
 of their capillary system, and perhaps produces an additional
 effect through the nerves.  Cold  applied  continuosly has a
 sedative effect.  Each of them act most powerfully when 
52
tised in conjunction;  that is,  when heat is  applied to one
part  and  cold  to  another.    Parts  of course  will  be
affected by heat applied to another portion of the body quite
distant, it may be, and so also of cold.  For when the capil-
lary capacity of a part is increased, blood will be determined
from other parts to it, and vice versa, when it is lessened  by
cold, the blood will be determined to other parts. The tran-
sient application of heat, or cold, will have but little, if any
direct effect upon the internal organs.  The  remarks under
this head refer, therefore, to the continued application, which
may be produced by the sea, river, cold tub, ice, cold sponge,
cold air, or by the warm tub,  warm sponge,  vapor, and hot
air, generally ; by the cold douche, ice, sponge, cold air, or
by the warm douche, sponge,  vapor and hot air locally.
   The general effects of cold bathing are evident from what
has before been said ;  they are admirable in extremely  hot
weather, but would not be advisable in winter, a3 they would
depress the function of the system  and unfit it to bear ex-
posure with impunity.  For the very opposite reasons the
warm baths will be of the greatest service in cold  weather,
and ought to be used in the winter.  And upon  trying  the
experiment with them, we shall immediately give  the pref-
erence to the vapor  bath.  The proper daily use of this du-
ring the winter would be in the highest degree congenial to
health.  By proper use, I mean the use of the salt vapor,
the nature of which I shall by and by explain, to  the point
of causing a gentle perspiration, the head not being exposed
to the vapor but on  the other  hand, kept cool by proper ap-
plications, cloths dipped in cold water, &c.  I know from a
long time  experience with  myself and hundreds of others,
that what I say is correct, and that a person taking a vapor
bath in this way is not liable to take cold after it, but on the 
53
other hand the system is braced against the effects of cold,
and if a person is about to be  much exposed, take a long
ride, or anything  of that sort, a bath  of this kind should be
taken as preparatory.  If the whole system has become
chilled, than which there can hardly be a worse state pro-
duced, a vapor bath will  give immediate relief, and it may
then be carried a  little beyond the point of producing gentle
perspiration.   After a person has been riding, and  has been
wet, or often the  feet  have been exposed, and getting wet
have rendered the whole  body uncomfortable, a vapor bath
will warm the whole system, arid a person can  retire to a
most comfortable  rest  in five or ten minutes, or putting  on
dry  clothing, can again return to his  business.   When the
whole system has been exposed to fatigue, and the  muscles
have become sore, and the nervous system feels exhausted
as when a person has been laboring or taking a long journey,
the stimulating effects of the vapor bath in refreshing and
relieving the man, are almost past belief; if a person  has
tried a vapor bath once in this case, he will always remem-
ber it with peculiar pleasure.
   In case of a cold, a vapor bath should be taken  not only
for the relief it affords to the lungs, but for its effects upon
the whole system, and it should be  taken to the  degree of
producing pretty  free perspiration, at the same time let  the
skin be briskly rubbed, retire  to rest a little earlier than
usual, use no drink,  and in the morning the  cold will be
gone.  The salt  vapor is to  be used  in  this  case, and  the
addition of a little camphor renders the bath more effectual.
In case of rheumatism the vapor bath stimulates the  whole
system favorably, and should  be applied generally once a
day; the salt  vapor being  used in this case  with  the addi-
tion of camphor if you please.   In almost all cases it  will
              C 
54
Telieve the stiffness and soreness;  immediately it should be
caused to produce pretty free perspiration.   In all  these
cases the head should be kept cool, except for some especial
reason for applying vapor to the head.   In case of rheuma-
tism in a person under fifty  years of age, I consider  the fol-
lowing treatment almost a specific:  Let a bath of  salt va-
por* be administered to the whole body once per day, and to
the part affected, from one to four times, as the case may be ;
if the pain is not altogether removed by the vapor, apply cold
cloths to the seat of the pain, which will relieve it.   It may
and probably will return in a few hours, but not be so severe
as before ;  the bath is to be again repeated. Tincture of Ac-
onite is to be administered internally  every two hours, be-
gining with two  drops and  increasing one drop each dose
till a slight tingling is produced  in the  extremities, which
tingling, or prickling is to be  continued, but not increased-
If there are nodes, iodine is  to be  used.   If the bowels are
not acted upon sufficiently by the vapor bath,  sulphur is to
be taken.  K there is a torpid state of the liver, and of the
system generally, take sarsaparilla, dandelion, water dock
roots, and slippery elm  bark, of  each half a pound, and
steep them in a sufficient quantity  of water, and let  about a
wine glass of the infusion be used half an  hour before eat-
ing.   By this course a patient will be  well in three or four
days at most, as a general thing.  The  physician  will find
it advantageous in some cases, to make use of  oil of savin,
arnica, montana, bark, colchicum, and oil of turpentine, sin-
gle or combined.   Depletion is very seldom  required, and
almost always injurious.  In cases  of old persons, the great-
est relief will  be given, but a cure  is not  so  certain.  By
 * Some might object that a salt vapor could not be produced.  But I have obvi-
ated that objection though in no case valid, by a piece of apparatus I shall by-and-
hy describe. 
                           55

cure, is not meant that exposure shall not bring on an attack
again, it most surely will, when the same course is to be re-
peated.  Lumbago is to be treated in the same way but will
usually require but a single bath.
   The stimulating effects of the salt vapor bath, is always to
to be tried in Asthma, for though this  complaint is one of
the most unfortunate for a physician to have upon his hands,
this remedy is the most successful in relieving it.  The  in-
haling of vapor is likewise to be tried, while the shower is
allowed to  fall upon the skin,  and upon the other hand the
inhaling of cold, or iced air, while the  vapor  is applied to
the skin.  The cold and  warm douche is to be tried upon
the spinal region, as the impression thus made  sometimes
relieves.  The patient is in some cases to be  kept in a dry
air, and sometimes in a moist air, the last is to be obtained
by continually producing  vapor hi  the room  to  the requi-
site degree.
  I shall be able  to attach a small  piece of apparatus to my
vapor bath for the purpose of regulating the  moisture of a
room perfectly, which will be of great value in case of  pa-
tients afflicted with  lung  complaints.  To  preserve a dry
air, unslacked lime may be used, or  any deliquescent  salt.
In case of croup, or what is commonly  called  croup, the ef-
fect of the  vapor bath upon the skin not  only, but upon the
system generally  is such as to render it one of the most effi-
cacious remedies.
   The vapor may be inhaled, and if relief is not instantly
given, cold cloths may be put about the  neck.   A  close of
hives syrup, wine of antimony, ipecacuanha, lobelia, or some
 emetico expectorant should be given at the same time.   In
case of children being liable to croup, hives syrup,  or some 
56
such preparation, and a vapor bath should  always be  kepr.
in the  house.    Hives Syrups  are  variously  composed,
some good ddnd can be  obtained  I presume, of most of
the  apothecaries in city, or hi country, or  they can pre-
pare something that will answer the same purpose, but a
vapor bath is still more essential.   Salt vapor  is greatly to
be preferred.  With the- vapor bath  I  shall describe  a
flow of perspiration can be produced in  five or six minutes,
so that relief can be give  instantly.
   In almost all cases of female debility, the very greatest
assistance is is to be  derived from the use  of salt vapor.. In
all  those cases  where there is a pallid,  bloodless  counte-
nance, aflabbiness of the flesh, a languor of the entire nervous
system, a vicious state of the  biliary secretions, and any ir-
regularity of those  functions peculiar to the  female, the va-
por bath is imperatively demanded ; it should be taken two
or three times per  week, and on the other days, a cold show-
er or sponge bath  should be used if the patient can  bear it,
if not, a warm shower or sponge ; flannel  must be worn ; if
woolen instates  too much, cotton  may be used instead; this
must be changed twice or three times per week, and different
worn during the night from what is worn during the day ;
especial care must be taken  to  change the stockings, and
keep the feet diy ;  exercise must  be taken regularly every
day, but not so as  to cause the least fatigue ; the bowels
must be kept open  every day, and for this  purpose regulate
the diet, or take medicine ; in  addition to this let tonic medi-
cines of iron, conium, tolu, piperin and  aloes, or the like be
used;  the  additional treatment must  of  course be  varied
according to circumstances ; but if the course I have stated
is strictly followed, a great majority of these cases will in  a 
57
short time entirely recover, while many others will  perma-
nently amend.*
   In all cases of general debility, the stimulus of the salt
vapor bath will be very much prized, especially in  cases of
dispepsia.   In these cases it should be  taken  every  other
day, alternating with the shower bath, or every day followed-
by the shower bath.
   The local application of cold upon  the internal organs is
sometimes very  great,  it is usually applied by cloths  dipped
in cold water.   In case of wounds, or bleeding from other
causes, cold cloths should be laid upon the part, till the bleed-
ing is stopped ; the part should then  be exposed to  the air
for a httle while, and a moderately warm cloth applied, and
a correct state of the  circulation,  and a proper  comfort  of
the part is to be preserved, by the application of cold and
warm cloths, till the part  heals.   All those applications of
vinegar, alcohol, camphor, tallow, and  the  like, being  deci-
dedly injurious.   If the water dressings are used from the
beginning, there will seldom be need of escharotics, and the
part will be likely to heal without leaving a scar.   When-
ever there is  heat  to be felt upon the  surface, or there is an
inflammatory appearance exhibited, cold applications are to
be made.  In case of  phlegmonous swellings,  erysipelatous
appearances and the  like, for which warm poultices are  so
much used, the application of cloths dipped in cold water
will  be much better; the pain  will thus be removed, and the

 * The Red Tonic Mixture prepared by Dr. I. Andrews of New York, is com-
posed for a great part of the above ingredients ; it is very elegantly prepared for the
use of druggists and physicians, and may be depended upon as an excellent article.
It can be obtained at most of the druggists, and should be in every family,  as it is
one of the pleasantest, and most effective medicines that females can use ; it is
likewise one of the best tonics in complaints of the liver  and digestive organs
The ordinary dose, is a teaspoonful three times per day.
               6* 
58
diseased action will subside more readily, or will be brought
to a more speedy, and less painful termination,  if  it is  de-
sirable to have suppuration take place.  In  case  of rheu-
matic pains, and the  pain produced  by sprains, burns, &c,
the same  course will relieve the pain immediately.  The
sensation of internal heat will be no indication that it exists,
it must be felt as you put your hand upon the external sur-
face, and the  cold applications are then to be made till  the
trouble is relieved, the false sensation of heat is frequently
referred  to- the stomach, which perhaps the application of
heat will relieve.  In acute inflammation of  the bowrels, of
 the liver, or of the stomach, cold cloths, or the   sponge may
 be used externally with great relief.   Sometimes cold drinks
 and ices  are swallowed with the same object, but the propri-
 ety of this may be very much doubted.   In pleuritic  and
 lung inflammations, cold cloths may be applied  to the chest,
 or cold air may be inhaled by  drawing it through ice, or
 through  a tube surrounded  by ice.   In these cases heat
 should be applied to the skin.   This course is especially
 worthy of notice  in those cases where the patient is  preju-
 diced against bleeding, or where other causes render it un-
 advisable.
    In tendency to apoplexy, and congestions of the brain, in
 most head-aches, and when the head feels hot, cold applica-
 tions should be made while a vapor  bath is  applied  to the
 body.  Sick head-ache will almost invariable be relieved by
 this means ; if produced by, or concomitant with a deranged
 state of the  digestive organs, a slight cathartic should be
 used, a strong  decoction of water dock, is one  of the best.
 Headaches from over excitement  will  be affected in the
 same manner.  In cases of  intoxication, the person  will be
 sobered almost immediately ; bags of ice are frequently ap- 
59
plied to the head in these cases.   The  cold  lotion of sar-
ammoniac  and saltpetre dissolving in water, may be used in-
stead.   In inflammation of the throat, gargles of cold water,
or ice are  used with great benefit.   The local application of
cold in case of piles, is many times very useful, it is usually
made by the use of the hip bath, or of ice, some medicine is
usually required in addition ; one of the best is composed as
follows:  sulphur,  elecampane, liquorice, each  one  ounce,
aloes, one dram, pure northern honey, four ounces ; the dose
is a teaspoonful three  times per day. Many authors say that
 aloes must not be used in this complaint, but that is a mis-
take, nothing is  better  in  many cases, than aloes in very
small doses.   Cold enema  are used with advantage many
 times.   These are likewise used  as cathartics, the water be-
 ing quite  cold and in  large  quantiy.  Large quantities of
 cold water is sometimes drank to produce the same  effect,
 and will do it; cold application externally upon  the abdo-
 men acts  as a cathartic  many times.
    Heat may be applied locally, by the sponge bath, or  hot
 cloths, by vapor, and by hot air.  Its  local application is
 very useful in all cases • of dormant  circulation, especially
 those attended with a dropsiual state of the part,, a varicose
 state of the small veins, such  as  is frequently  observed in
 the lower limbs,  and  in cases  of  numbness, though in these
 it should  generally be alternated with showering of the part.
 In the first mentioned, it should be coupled  with  friction,
 and the internal  use  of stimulating  and alterative medicines,
 sarsaparilla, dock, dandelion, &c, in connexion with sulphur.
 Li the last, viz. paralytic, or  where wasting occurs, nervines
  are to be given.   The local  application of vapor to the ab-
  domen frequently stimulates the  bowels  to  action, when
  scarcely  anything else will, especially if applied after the 
GO
use of cold ;  enema of warm water and  of vapor are much
used.  Vapor might be made use of in some cases  where
nothing else  would answer, as  it is  said it will pass the
coecal valve, for the truth of this I cannot vouch ;  warm ap-
plications over the liver will assist very much in rousing it to
action at times.   Heat is- frequently  applied locally to the
spine, as is also cold, which I did not mention in its proper
place.   In fever and ague, both  these remedies have been
tried, and found successful, but they are agents upon which
much dependance cannot be placed in spinal complaints, the
nature of these is so little known.  In case of night sweats,
they can be very much checked, or altogether prevented, by
sponging the  spinal region with  cold water before  retiring,
especially the region of the loins—it must be continued for
some little time.  If there is inflammation or excited action
in the spinal  system, cold is to be used, if there is a dormant
state, heat.
  Heat is  sometimes used as a vesicant,  but it would be
venturing too far into the domains of medicinal applications
for me to continue the subject any farther.
  Thus far, I have spoken of the  effects  of simple  bathsr
with the execption of a few words said in regard to the salt
vapor bath.   But besides  the simple, there are the perfumed
and  medicated.
  The  perfumed have no particular effect upon the system
except the olfactory nerves, and through  them produce a
slight stimulus.
  The tub bath, and vapor bath, have both been medicated
with  many  ingredients,  with the intention  sometimes  of
merely affecting or irritating the  skin, and sometimes of caus-
ing the medicating substance to be absorbed, and affect the
system generally. 
61
   How medicines affect the system we cannot always ascer-
 tain, and must be content with the fact that they do.   Most
 substances when acting upon the system  through the skin
 affect  it in the  same manner as when taken internally, but
 sometimes the effect  is modified.  Many  substances when
 taken internally derange the digestive  organs,  and should
 certainly be applied by means of the skin and lungs.  In-
 deed, it wrould seem that it would  be best  in  all cases not
 causing too great  inconvenience  to  apply  the  medicine
 through the skin, but in some cases the action of the medi-
 cine  is  not so favorable when thus applied.
  The medicated tub bath  has little if any repute, except
 for the application of nitro-muriatic acid, the effect of which
 some esteem  very highly.  The acid is to be mixed  with
the  water till it is as sour as vinegar, about an ounce to a
gallon  of water being  required.
  The medicated vapor baths are more or less esteemed by
the public, as well as all  professional  men, and with the
greatest justice.   That medicinal substances be very finely
comminuted and intimately mixed with each other, is con-
sidered  very important in facilitating their  action.  And
surely this is most perfectly done when they are vaporated,
the heat of the vapor also causes them to be easily  absorb-
ed.   Herb baths are held in much repute by the public, the
hemlock bath in particular, being thought to have a control-
 ing power over cold, and is a very  popular remedy.   But
 these I believe are not thought by medical men  to  have
 much efficacy.   As a general thing without a doubt, the vir-
 tues  of herbs are  not obtained to such a degree as to be ben-
 eficial.   Concentrated  preparations  must  be used  for pro-
 ducing vapor, in many cases however, the effect of the herb
 is very evident;  in using  aconite for instance. 
02
   Other substances of various kinds have been used, but the
baths of sulphur seem to have attracted chief attention, these
have established their reputation for curing various skin dis-
eases, liver complaints, scrofulas, &c.  As sulphur baths are
generally used, they are attended with great hazard, and
must be watched with the greatest care.   Arsenical prepa-
rations have also been used for skin diseases, and surprising
cures have been effected by these and other fumigations, as we
must believe, since those that report them are worthy of con-
fidence. But the opportunity hitherto afforded for trying the
effects of the medicated  vapor  bath, has been limited to a
few persons, and a few substances.  I hope a better oppor-
tunity is now given for trying the effects of all kinds of sub-
stances, by means of the portable bath. I shall describe in the
next chapter how any substance by means of pressure may
be vaporated, at any temperature, and  the various ingredi-
ents of a compound can be caused to come off in vapor at
the same time,, and  the  apparatus is so  portable that any
physician in city or country, can make use of it in practice
with the greatest ease,  By this contrivance,  the  virtues of
the various spring waters can be made to affect the system
by a vapor bath;  sulphur spring water can be applied with
the greatest advantage, especially when compined  with its
internal use.   This is the best way of taking sulphur baths,
but if such water cannot be obtained, let sulphur be burned
over water that it may absorb the sulphurous gas, and let the
water containing it be vaporated under two pounds pressure
npon the piston of the " Toilet Bath," or let half an ounce of
sulphuret of potash, (livor of sulphur, hepar  sulphuris,) be
dissolved in half a pint of water, and be vaporated in the samt;
way, by this means, the bath can be rendered perfectly safe,
while at the same time it is the most efficacious.  Richfield 
63
and Avon Springs in New York, and the  Sulphur Springs
of Virginia, have been much celebrated for their efficay in
a great number of complaints for which sulphur is consid-
ered beneficial, but owing to the want of means for admin-
istering the virtues of the water in the  form  of vapor, the
advantages they possess have not been appreciated so highly
as they ought to be, for I believe I have seen the most un-
doubted proof of cures affected by the vapor of such waters
produced under pressure.  Saratoga  waters may be admin-
istered in the same way with the greatest profit, in  connex-
ion with the proper internal use of the spring waters ; I say
proper, for to drink some six, eight, or a dozen tumblers of
the water is enough to make a well man sick.   One or two
tumblers are as much as ought  to be  drank  at once, and
these should be repeated not more than twice or three times
per day.  The same remarks will apply to all kinds of min-
eral waters, or minerals dissolved in water. But before con-
cluding the remarks  to  be made under this head, I would
wish to draw the particular attention of the reader,  to the
effects of the salt vapor bath, snch as  may be obtained from
sea water most perfectly, but may be had  by mixing one or
two teaspoonsfull of salt in  a half pint of water, as I be-
lieve them to be very greatly beneficial above the  common
simple vapor bath.  Many sea  captains  have  assured.me
that they never had taken cold out of sight of land, and de-
sired to know the reason.   When in factories for  boiling
down salt,  I was told that the workmen were not subject to
take cold though very much exposed, and was also  told, that
the vapor from the brine kettles was very effective  in curing
colds, rheumatism, and the like.  Those  things,together with
the strong popular prejudice, that where the skin is sponged
with salt and  water,  or salt and  vinegar,  a person  was not 
64
likely to take cold, as also the general idea, that a sea bath
is more stimulating than a river bath, induced  me to think
that salt must possess some  peculiar virtue, and as I had an
apparatus  by which I could produce a salt vapor, I thought
best to  test the thing by experiments upon myself and  oth-
ers ;  after thoroughly trying it, I am convinced that salt has
very great efficacy in  protecting the system,  that salt va-
por has great power in relieving colds, and rheumatic com-
plaints. It will be advantageous to add salt to vapor baths of
sulphur and Saratoga waters.  If I should not be thought
 lo be riding some hobby, I  would say also, that several phy-
 sicians have mentioned to me that in quite  a number of
 cases they had recommmended to their patients,  to eat salt
 as freely as they could, to carry it in their side  pocket, and
 eat it often, and several cases of cures were stated, which if
 true, were very satisfactory.  But I must leave this topic
 with saying that after coming to the conclusions I mentioned,
 I was  highly gratified  to have my opinions  of salt va-
 por still more exalted, by the undoubted authority in its fa-
 vor that I have since seen, and that  it would  please me to
 quote if my limits would permit.
   " When, and how often ought a person to bathe ?"  is fre-
 quently asked.  The shower bath  should be taken  in the
 morning, and at any time succeeding a warm tub, or vapor
 bath. A sea or river bath should be taken in the middle of the
 forenoon when the powers  of the system are the highest.  A
 warm bath should be taken about the middle  of the after-
 noon, or, in the country, after dinner has had time to digest
entirely,—in the city, about an hour before dinner, say about
three o'clock.  The cold sponge should be taken early in the
morning.  The warm sponge just before retiring at night.
The  vapor bath may be taken at any time except just before 
65
and just after a repast, the middle of the afternoon  is the
most appropriate time  as a general  thing;  taken half an
hour, or an hour before eating dinner, it will drive away the
perplexities of the mind, and shut out the anxieties of business,
admirably fitting a man to enjoy the luxury of a well cooked
dinner, and the agreeable chit chat of an affable family.  If a
person is about to seek pleasure in the  gay  evening  party,
or the convivial  assembly, or if he seeks enjoyment in the
more sober festivities of life, a vapor bath should be  taken
an hour or so before going out.  If the  day has been chilly
or unpleasant, if a person has been  exposed during  a long
ride, the vapor bath should be taken just before  retiring.
By the laborer,  the vapor bath  should  be taken after the
toils of the day are over, that he may retire to a quiet sound
repose, and awake refreshed and able for the labor he is  to
undergo  the ensuing day.
   The shower bath should be taken  every morning, the sea,
or tub, every hot day,  the warm  bath,  once  or twice per
week if taken at all, the vapor bath once per week in sum-
mer, and twice,  three, or four times per week in winter. The
vapor bath, and the shower, are all that I esteem as of much
consequence.  The shower bath should be found I think in
every persons chamber, and  a vapor bath should be  consid-
ered as much a  necessary in a family, as any piece of house-
hold furniture whatever.
7 
CHAPTER IV.
  A convenient, portable, durable, and neat apparatus,  one
that could be used in any room, and one  that could be ob-
tained by the means of every one, and be made a house-
hold article, has been a great desideratum.
  The " Toilet Bath " seems to answer these requirements
in every respect.
  I was induced to  invent an apparatus for ATapor bathing—
in the first place, because I wanted something which I could
always carry with me, for I esteemed the pleasures and ad-
vantages of a vapor bath too highly to be without one  ; in
the second place, I wished to contrive something that every
body  could obtain and make use of.  All kinds of appara-
tus  for  this purpose  that I  had seen were  too bulky
and  too  expensive.   I  thought by  applying pressure
I might  attain  the object  Experiments were  therefore
made, and after many that were fruitless, the success  was
perfect.   An apparatus was made  that when packed up it
could be put in an overcoat pocket, that would give a vapor
bath with the greatest  ease in  from five  to eight minutes
after it was unpacked.   From as small  as this, to the capa-
city of several gallons  they have been made  of all sizes.
The usual capacity  is, from one to two quarts.   In case of
the large  size referred to, it is used for heating the water of
a warm bath as well as for vapor bathing.   This piece c f
apparatus consists of a boiler,  to which  are  attached legs,
hoops, flanges, &c, for the purpose of supporting it, direct-
ing the flame of the generator about it, &c.   Upon the top
there  is a cylinder with a hole  in its side.  Into this cylin- 
67
dcr is fitted a hollow piston,  but with a bottom.  Heat be-
ing applied to the boiler, the vapor produced must rai.-e the
piston before it can escape by the  side hole of the cylinder.
About the  outside of  this hole there is a short tube or nose
to which other  tubes  can be attached, and the  vapor led,
wherever  it is  required.   The   piston can of  course  be
weighed down with whatever weight is placed  upon it,  and
the tensity and temperature of the vapor  thereby increased
to any degree.    Whatever volatile substance  is mixed in
small quantity with one of greater stability is not allowed
to come off until the vapor of the other is produced : hence
any perfume mixed with water does  not escape  till the va-
pors of the water comes off, making the  bath  exceedingly
pleasant, while taken, and delightfully perfumes  the cuticle by
being  absorbed.  The same effect is  produced upon  any
medicament.
   Farther, if any substance is mixed with the water which
it is difficult to vaporate, the turbulence of the  water in rap-
id boiling continually  disseminates it, and when the piston
rises under two to four  pounds  pressure, much of the salt
will be carried with the water vapor ; besides that  the high-
er temperature  thus  produced will  vaporate  the  salt  in a
greater degree than otherwise.   By  the pressure the water
is made to vaporate quicker, and  when the vapor come-off,
its greater tensity causes it to be  disseminated  more rapidly
through the receiver, while at the same time it is actually
 cooler'than vapor produced without pressure, and is so when
 it deposites itself upon the  skin, as its tendency to expand
 carries it  even  bevond the medium point.  I have seen wa-
 ter and ice  put into  the boiler empty, made to boil in one
 minute and three quarters, and the vapor deposited upon a
 person in  such  quantity as to drip off in three minutes after
 he was seated in a chair and properly covered.  It will us-
 ualy require three minutes to produce vapor and  from five
 to eight to take a bath.
    If it is  desirable to take a medicated bath  of  any  herb
 or salt which will mingle with  water or  the  properties of
 which are extracted by water, let the substance be put m the
 boiler and the  requisite pressure made upon the piston,  It 
68
it is desirable  to vaporate  any substance at a high or low
temperature put it upon the boiler or in the piston, and put
such liquid, ether,  alchol, turpentine, 6zc, in the boiler as
boils at the required degree or near it, and regulate precise-
ly ^7 pressure.
  If it is desirable to  breathe vapors of any substance, put
it. in the piston, to the  nose of which tubes can be connected
and put such liquid in the boiler as will raise the tempera-
ture of the piston as  much  as will be advantageous to the
lungs.
   If it is desirable by decocting in water, alcohol, or ether,
to obtain all the medicinal virtues of any herbs, put them in
the boiler and  by pressure on the piston and moving the slide
of the generator, modify the heat so that the piston shall not
viae, but yet the contents of the boiler be kept hot, or warm.
   If it is  desirable to save the vapors that escape at any
time from  the boiler, as when ether, alcohol,  &c, is used, let
a tube connect from the nose of the cylinder to a bottle in a
pail of water; in the same  way distill.
   To dry  an extract,  put it on the  boiler and heat the top
by ether, alcohol, &c, used in the boiler.
   The apparatus  I have spoken of, may be put under a
chair,  which is usually done ; the nose of the cylinder tow-
ards the front of the chair,  the short tube being upon the
no: e or if  it  is desirable to  bring the vapor more directly
upon the feet, the long tube  may be put on the nose and have
the short tube  put upon it.   A person as soon as the vapor
begins to come off, should sit down in the chair the feet be-
ing upon the round of it or a stool, with his clothing entire-
ly removed, enclosing himself with something that shall se-
cure the -sapor from escaping, come up round the neck and
lie all around upon the floor.  If there is no carpet on the floor a
piece should be spread down :  a single blanket will not suffice.
People are not apt to use  anything of sufficient thickness.
An extemporary covering is made by using two "comfort-
ables."
   A cloak for  the purpose is much better, made of Canton
flannel doubled; six breadths, 2 yds. long and §  wide, gath-
ered about the neck by a cord; but this will lie about the 
69
shoulders except  there is a  frame something like a clothes
ladder upon which it can hang.  One thickness of calico and
one of flannel is equally good.  If the heat is too great and
the vapor is generated too rapidly, the slide of the  genera-
tor can be moved forward aad the weight on the piston di-
minished, or the bottom of the covering can be raised for a
moment.
   If  vapor only is desired,  the apparatus can be set outside
the cloak and the vapor  led into it by tubes, and if the smell
of the burning alcohol is unpleasant, the apparatus  can be
placed in an adjoining apartment, in the fire-place, &c, and
by nest tubes can be conducted anywhere.
   A  few words only are required in regard to the generator.
Let a large wick that will fill the hole closely be used, pro-
jecting from half an inch to three inches, according to the
heat  and vapor desired; it being  laid upon  the wire and
spread open if you wish to obtain the utmost degree of heat.
 Burn pure alcohol, which is put into the generator by taking
 out the  wick, and when it is  desirable to carry the appara-
 tus in a trunk, press down  the wick in a wad as it were, up-
 on the hole, not  into it, and the alcohol will not leak.    #
    In health let the bath be taken till the perspiration begins
 to start  upon the face, rubbing the  skin  the while, let then
 the vapor be shut off-rub the skin till  it is perfectly dry-
 step out from the  covering-wash  the face, head and neck
 in cool  water or lay a cool cloth upon the head, and all i*
 done.   If  an assistant is by, the cool water may be applied
 to the head towards the close of the bath with great efficacy.
    If it  s not desirable to wet the hair, a cap can be made from
 a circular piece of oiled silk, halfa yard in diameter, by running
 a fan "in I edge hemmed.   This will be used also m taking a
 .sbmvor bath and in applying vapor locally.
   T icknes ^circumstances°will govern the continuance of
  the  bath:  which can be taken in  an easy rocking clian, n
  bed or  locally applied  by covering any  part, since by  the
    t Uibe, as^efore said,  the vapor can  be conducted any-
ne
where
cians
Thus it will be seen that the high enconium which physi-
   and others have bestowed  upon this bath are not al- 
70
together wanting in justice.   Could it indeed be expected
that one piece of apparatus  should fulfill more purposes or
more valuable ones, while at the same time its simplicity is
its greatest merit.
  In regard to the tub and shower bath, but few words need
be said.
  The Tub Bath consists of a frame and sack.   The frame
 consists of four posts with  end and side rails, which fasten
together with thread bolts and  thumb nuts distinctly mark-
ed.  When it is taken down it can therefore be very snugly
packed,  and when put  up occupies but 36 inches  by 21.
The sack is of India Rubber cloth,  stout and durable, but
at the same time flexible and packed in a small space : to
this there is a false  bottom inflated  through a small tube,
the screw of which is turned one way to allow the air to be
blown in  and the  other to  prevent  its escape.   The front
part of the  sack  is covered,  narrowed  down and lies out
from the  frame several feet  when it is used, by which means
 only a comparatively small  quantity of  water is required,
 and as the front part can be turned over the  foot rail, a
 very, excellent tub is formed in which to bathe children, or
 in which a person can wash himself  or take  a shower  bath
 as bye and bye said.  To the front part a faucett is attached
 with a coupling box and hose that can be used as a syphon
 either for filling  or emptying the  sack.    To use  this
 bath, inflate  the false bottom,  loop the sack upon the knobs
 of the frame, the knob in the center of the head rail receiv-
 ing the hole  in the head of the sack; fill the sack with the
 the desirable quantity of water, about 7 pails full as a usual
 thing  will be enough,  immerse the body, washing and rul >-
 bing the  skin  mean time, being  careful not to  remain so
 long as to produce a chill,  step out and dry the skin very
 thoroughly with towels  used briskly.  If a  warm  bath is
 chosen, put in a quantity of cold water  and  add hot water
 to temper it.   The sack would be injured by boiling water,
 but not in the least by water of 100 degrees temperature.
 After the water  is removed  the front  part of the  sack
should be turned out that it may dry, though this is not es-
sential except for  neat people.   The  advantages of this tub 
71
are self evident:  it is  so  portable;  it requires  so  little
room, can be used in any apartment, and from  its air  bot-
tom and yielding nature is so  capacious, at the  same time
it requires so little water, and is so easy to a person  lying
in it, that nothing better could well be desired.
   A shower bath may be by itself or in connection with the
tub.   When by itself, it consists of a frame two feet square
usually, may be largei or smaller if desired, consisting of four
posts with side rails fastened to them by bolts and nuts,  as
in the tub frame ; in the top of the posts are holes for re-
ceiving rods which support the showering reservoir, upon
the posts  below are knobs for sustaining the receiver, which
is looped  upon them.  The receiver is of India rubber cloth
and possesses this great advantage, that after the  bath has
been taken, it can be unlooped and the corners  being gath-
ered  together, the water it contains can be safely carried
from the  apartment.   The  posts  of the tub bath can re-
ceive rods and the sack  is a receiver to catch the water that
falls.   The reservoir may be of tin or  copper and is provi-
ded with an axle with which it revolves, one cord attached
to it being pulled to let down the water and another to sus-
pend it.   This axle may be supported in permanent sockets
 in which it is placed by stepping  in a chair or on the side of
 the frame, or  moveable sockets can be arranged  by  which
 the reservoir can be elevated or lowered by turning a crank,
 in this case the double rod with a long cord is to be insert-
 ed in the post in which is the pulley wheel, the cord being
 passed up over the  wheel in the  rod, from within out, and
 down under the wheel in  the post and  along to the pulley
 upon the  crank to which it is to be fastened, the cord of the
 other rod goes over its wheel and down to the other pulley
 on the crank, the cords  to be attached to these pullies so that
 when the crank turns both ends of the reservoir shall be el-
 evated at the same time.  As tastes are very different, peo-
 ple usually choose to make  their own  curtains, which are
 to pass down from the top of the rods to within the receiver
 at the bottom ;  if they are full and with a  ruffle or fringe at
 the top, they look more prettily; a vallance also  about the
 Vide-* of the frame adds to it a neat appearence.   The open- 
72
ing of the curtain should correspond to one of the rods sup-
porting the receiver, and if the sockets are moveable, the cur-
tain should be ripped down corresponding to the diagonally
opposite rod in length and position, and if the frame is to be
used for supporting the cloak of a vapor bath, openings three
inches in length should be  made corresponding to the tops
of  the  other posts. . Calico, muslin, dimity or anything al-
most, may be used for curtains and will  prevent the  water
from wetting the carpet; rings or bits of tape will suspend
the curtains upon the rods.   Curtains of any material or any
 style, if ordered, will be furnished at cost.
    The advantage of this reservoir is that  it can be taken out
 and carried to the  place of obtaing water, saving the incon-
 venience of pitchers, pails, etc. and  the serious inconven-
 ience of spilling water  upon the carpet, and by pulling the
 proper cord the water is instantly suspended without any
 dripping;  and the shower can also  be  affixed to the tub
 bath with but trifling expense.
    The advantage  of the whole is, that it is very portable,
 neat as an  article  of furniture, and exceedingly convenient
 in using.
    The frame of the shower or tub bath are very convenient
 for sustaining the cloak  of the vapor bath, it being made as
before said, and having hooks  attached to it  22  inches from
the gathering cord, at places corresponding to the posts, these
hooks being hooked upon the rods through  the opening in
the showering curtain as before said.,
    If it is desirable to take a shower bath after the vapor bath,
the reservoir being previously filled, spre^J open  the top of
the cloak, pull the  proper cord and observe* the  result.
    The price of this entire  apparatus,  is from 11 dollars  up-
wards, according to finish and  ornament; for vapor bath *2,
and upwards, for shower $3,50 and upwards, for tube *5,50
and upwards.   If  any farther  information is desired by  any
one,  in  regard there to or  upon bathing,  a letter post paid,
will be immediately answered, and if containing the descrip-
tion of a bath wanted, its price and the money,  the bath will
be forwarded by the earliest and best means, to any part of
the world. 
r
 
•    ..