by other organs than the skin. These organs are the lungs, kidneys, liver, and intestines; and, when they are called upon to perform the offices that do not properly belong to them, the healthy equilibrium is destroyed, and the oppressed organs will suffer from exhaustion, and become the prey of disease. It cannot be doubted that habits of uncleanliness are the cause of consumption, and other serious diseases of the vital organs; hence the vast importance of the subject in relation to health.

If people wish to be well, and to look well, they must use daily that indispensable necessity, the domestic bath, and any other means by which cleanliness may be promoted.

Methods of Bathing.

'Tis Elysium

In the bath, filled with the sparkling crystal spring
(Bowered with roses, honeysuckle, and jessamine),
Chin-high immersed, in blissful ease to ¡ie at length.

In our last lesson we recommended the bath as one of the most effectual means of promoting cleanliness and preserving health. Some directions as to its use may now be given.

We name first the Turkish bath, which during the last few years has been used in England. This bath is found to be very effectual in restoring and improving the health. It is considered to be of great service to those

suffering from rheumatic pains and similar ailments of the system. It is administered in several ways, according to the requirements of the patient, and requires, especially for invalids, the supervision of competent persons, such as may be found in the establishments set apart for its use.

The other baths, and which are chiefly used in this country, are the cold, the tepid, the warm, and the hot baths.

When the temperature of the water is seventy-six degrees it is called a cold bath; when from eighty-five to ninety-five degrees, a tepid bath; when from ninety five to ninety-eight degrees, a warm bath; and when from ninetyeight to a hundred and five degrees, a hot bath.

Each possesses its peculiar advantages; and the temperature can be modified to suit the feelings and purposes of the bather.

Dr. Erasmus Wilson, in recommending the cold bath, says: They who desire to pass the short time of life in good health ought often to use cold bathing, for I can scarce express in words how much benefit may be had by cold baths; for they who use them, although almost spent with old age, have a strong and compact pulse, and a florid colour in their face; they are very active and strong; their appetite and digestion are vigorous; their senses are perfect and exact, and, in one word, they have all their natural actions well performed.'

It

In speaking of the warm bath, another eminent physician remarks:- The effect of a warm bath to a person in health is highly delightful. The sensations during the process are exquisite, and afterwards no less so. equalises the circulation of the blood, renders the skin supple and moist, promotes free perspiration, and relieves the body from a layer of thick obstructive accumulation of scurf and other deposits. The flexibility of the joints, the freedom of respiration, the improved tone of nervous feeling in body and mind-memory, thought, and idea being at command after the bath--are notorious truths known to the patron of warm ablution. Warm bathing also acts beneficially on the kidneys and urinary organs; it helps the bowels and stomach and liver, giving new life to each; the action of each being hereby healthily excited, it consequently promotes digestion; and, contrary to the popular fear of a warm bath being weakening, it in reality strengthens the system and fortifies it against cold."

The cold bath should be used every morning, and the whole body thoroughly cleansed; soap should be used, as it is an invaluable agent in purifying the skin.

The impure substances which corrode the pores of the skin are of an oily nature, and impurities adhere to it which must be thoroughly removed. It is found that there is no better way of removing it than by the use of soap.

The time occupied in bathing may extend to ten minutes for a healthy person; but the feelings of the bather are generally found a good and sufficient guide.

The brisk and efficient friction of the skin with a coarse towel or flesh-brush should never be omitted after quitting the bath, so that the regular glow may be produced.

Exercise should be taken after the bath, proportionate in quantity to the time spent in bathing.

The warm bath should be used for the ablution of the whole body at least twice a week. The afternoon is a very good time for this purpose. The time spent in a warm bath is usually from a quarter to half an hour, unless some special indications require require a departure from this rule. The directions given for the cold bath as to the mode of cleansing, exercise, &c., also apply to the warm bath.

When the vital powers are greatest, and the system most free from exhaustion, bathing is most beneficial: hence the morning is preferable to the evening, and the middle of the forenoon to the middle of the afternoon, for this healthful and agreeable duty, as the vital action of the system is more energetic in the early part of the day. It is better to wash with energy on rising, so that the impurities which have collected upon the surface of the skin during the night may be entirely removed.

If ablution be used in the evening, proper friction should be used, so that the new granules, which conform so closely with the extraneous particles of matter, may be allowed to form freely.

In some forms of headaches and nervousness, great benefit may be derived from washing the head well with cold water every morning, allowing a stream of water to run over the top and front of the head for a few minutes, and then well drying it with a coarse towel. The practice should be used with discretion; if the effect be not at once favorable, it should not be persevered

in.

The face and the neck should be washed at least twice in twenty-four hours.

If the whole person be not bathed daily, it must be cleansed sufficiently often to keep the body constantly clean, and the blood in vigorous circulation.

Bathing to be efficient should be regular, and should be commenced by degrees, and increased by a process of training.

The time of bathing must not approach or follow too closely a regular meal. This rule is very important.

Though a bath is the most convenient and complete method of carrying out the process of ablution, it may not be within the reach of all. In cases where it is impracticable to use the bath, a tub, sponge, soap, fresh water, and a good