Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/193

Rh supply far washing the hands and face once a day seems all that is thought requisite."

"For general use, the tepid, or warm bath, seems to me much more suitable than the cold bath, especially in winter, for those who are not robust and full of animal heat."—"For those not robust, daily sponging of the body with cold water and vinegar, or salt water, is the best substitute for the cold bath, and may be resorted to with safety, especially when care is taken to excite in the surface, by subsequent friction with the flesh-brush or hair glove, the healthy glow of reaction."—" A person in sound health may take a bath at any time, except immediately after meals."—"As a general rule, active exertion ought to be avoided for an hour or two after using the warm or tepid bath."—"If the bath cannot be had at all places, soap and water may he obtained everywhere, and leave no apology for neglecting the skin; or, if the constitution be delicate, water and vinegar, or water and salt. A rough and rather coarse towel is a very useful auxiliary. Few of those who have steadiness enough to keep up the action of the skin by the above means, and to avoid strong exciting causes, will ever suffer from colds, sore throats, or similar complaints."—"If one tenth of the persevering attention and labour bestowed to so much purpose in rubbing down and currying, the skins of horses, were bestowed on the human race in keeping themselves in good condition, and a little attention were paid to diet and clothing, colds, nervous diseases, and stomach complaints would cease to form so large a catalogue in human miseries."