Where there is an accumulation of mucus in the lungs, and also in the convulsions of children, a favourite form of bath consists of immersion in warm tvater, during which several pails of colder water are poured over the shoulders and the neck. In another variety of bath the patient is wrapped up in a large bed-sheet, and then lifted into a tub of cold water, the head, however, being kept above water. The patient remains in the bath only a few seconds, whereupon he is lifted out and thoroughly dried. This is a very stimulating procedure, but may be given only to vigorous persons.
In the so-called " half-bath " the bather sits in the tub with his legs out stretched, the water reaching about to his navel (see Fig. 87) ; the tem perature should be 50° to 70° F. The individual splashes the Nvater over the chest with his hands, Nvhile an attendant pours water from the tub over his shoulders and neck. This should consume about 3 to 5 minutes, at the conclusion of which period another pail of somewhat colder water may be poured over the chest and back. While in the bath, the legs may he rubbed or scrubbed with a brush. It is essential that the body be thoroughly dried after the bath. \\There fever is present, the patient should be put back to bed ; in other cases a walk may be in dulged in.
In another variety of bath, the patient half reclines, half sits, in a special form of tub (Fig. 88), neither legs nor arms being immersed in the water. This bath is useful for diseases of the abdomen and the chest, and may be taken either hot or cold, as directed by the physician ; cold water can readily be poured over the abdomen. This form of bath is very efficient in certain intestinal diseases, in which case it should be of a temperature of 95° F., the colder water being poured over the abdomen with a sprinkling pot. This bath should consume 3 to 5 minutes.
For the sitz-bath a special form of tub is provided, the front edge of which must be broad, so as not to press on the legs (Fig. 89). The water reaches to about the navel of the bather. When taken warm, it acts as an anodyne, •antispasmodic, and sedative. It is indicated in many female com plaints, in bladder and sexual diseases in the male, and in the presence of The time required is from lo to 15 minutes. Cold sitz
baths of short duration (1, 3, or 5 minutes) especially stimulate intestinal activity, and as they are followed by a congestion in the genital organs they have been employed for impotence in men.
For the foot-bath, a pail or suitable tub is required. It may be taken as a warm bath for cleansing purposes ; hot, for the purpose of drawing away the blood from some other part of the body ; or cold, followed by rubbing and walking, also for the latter reason. Cold compresses, applied to the head during the bath, have a stimulating effect on menstruation. In another type of foot-bath, the water is allowed to flow over the feet as far as the ankles, as the patient walks about in the tub, for r to 3 minutes. This is very effective for relieving the congestion of blood in the head. It may be conveniently taken in any brook. In the alternating foot-bath, the pa tient immerses his feet in hot water for about five minutes, and then plunges them for 10--30 seconds into a pail of cold water (Fig. go). After this has been done the feet must be thoroughly dried, whereupon the person should walk about. This serves the same purpose as the last named form of foot-bath.
A bath for the back of the head is very effective in cases of palpitation, dyspncea, and pollutions. The patient lies on a mattress, beyond the edge of which his head projects, the back of the head being immersed for five minutes or more in a flat basin of cool water.
The " bidet " is a form of bath which renders it easier to cleanse the external genitals, the person using it occupying a straddling position. The water used may be either hot or cold.
The hand and the arm may be plunged into a suitable contrivance (shown in Fig. 91), containing either hot or cold water. This bath is used for the purpose of directing the blood away from the head and breast, and may thus he employed to assist the foot-bath. The elbow-bath is rarely used, as its action is much weaker. An alternating bath for the. hands is similar to that described for the feet.
For other varieties of baths, and for medicated baths, see BRAN-BATH ; HERB-BATH ; HOT-AIR BATH ; MUSTARD-BATH ; PINE-NEEDLE BATH,