Bathing; Is it Necessary!

It is important to keep the pores of the skin open and clean by daily bathing. The average healthy person eliminates about one kilogram (two pounds) of waste material daily through the pores of the skin. People who engage in rigorous physical activity eliminate an even greater amount. The skin is considered to play the role of a third kidney. A burned victim who has had over 50 percent of the skin function destroyed, has a lower chance for survival, and his kidneys are placed under a terrific load because of the loss of eliminative assistance by the skin.

Whether in health, or illness, daily bathing should not be neglected. A neglect of cleanliness will induce disease. The multitude of pores, through which the body breathes, become clogged and filled with waste matter. The skin needs to be carefully and thoroughly cleansed, that the pores may do their work in freeing the body from impurities. Even feeble persons who are diseased need the advantages and blessings of bathing daily. Respiration is more free and easy if bathing is practiced. By it, the muscles become more flexible, the mind and body are alike invigorated, the intellect is made brighter, and every faculty becomes livelier. It promotes general perspiration, quickens the circulation, overcomes obstructions in the system, and acts beneficially on the kidneys and urinary organs. Bathing helps the bowels, stomach, and liver, giving energy and new life to each. It also promotes digestion, and instead of the system being weakened, it is strengthened.

Instead of increasing the liability of cold, a bath, properly taken, fortifies against cold, because the circulation is improved, and the uterine organs, which are more or less congested are relieved, for the blood is brought to the surface, and an easier and regular flow of the blood through all the blood vessels is obtained. It is better to end your bath or shower with at least 30 seconds of cold water. Ending with a cold shower strengthens the body whereas ending with warmer water weakens the body.

Should I Use Hydrotherapy (Water Treatments)
When I Am Sick? How Effective Is Its Use?

Natural remedies combined with hydrotherapy are more effective in restoring
health than all the drug medication in the world. The use of water is one of the most ancient remedies. As early as 400 BC Hippocrates, who is considered by modern medicine as the "Father of Medicine;' treated the sick with hot and cold water. Whenever there is disease there is some kind of disturbance in the circulation.

This disturbance can be corrected by the application of water. Hot water relaxes and cold water stimulates. Together, they act as a universal pump to equalize blood circulation. When done properly, hydrotherapy can increase circulation by 400 percent. The red blood cells and white blood cells in the peripheral circulation can increase by 20-35 and 200-300 percent respectively. Furthermore, it is through the skin that hydrotherapy produces its powerful physiologic actions, and the skin is intimately connected to every organ in the body via the nervous system and circulatory system. By changing the skin temperature with hot and cold water applications, nerve sensations will stimulate or sedate specific systems or organs. Take a hot shower for 3-5 minutes followed immediately by a cold shower for 30 seconds. Do this five times always ending with the cold. Try this daily for a month. Every treatment will extend and build on the benefits of the previous one. In critical cases hydrotherapy can be done twice a day directing the water treatment on the afflicted body part. You can also have a steam bath at home. Sit on a small stool, covered with a blanket, from the neck to the feet. Have someone place a basin of boiling water between your feet and replace the water with more hot water as it cools. Maintain this position for twenty minutes; end with a cold shower for 1-2 minutes.