Show cold shower may do I tarm harm to individual by DR JAMES W BARTON T IS hard to understand I 1 IT how the idea started that a cold tub or shower bath the first thing in the morning was good for the health HEALTH body and e off disease COLUMN As a matter of fact the morning cold bath does much harm to a great many not because there is anything wrong rong w with a cold shower and a brisk rub first thing in the morning tor for a strong bar hardy dy individual in dividu al but because the average individual is not strong and hardy the reason reas on so many feel eel that despite the discomfort and shock the morning cold tub or shower bath Is helpful is that after the bath and rub there is a bracing reaction for a short time however one or two hours afterwards there is a feeling of tiredness and a n d depression which they do not know Is due to the cold bath why Is the morning cold shower a mistake for so many when we awake the body Is really at dr barton its lowest point of resistance due tor for the most part to the need of food or fuel the temperature is low the blood pressure low the heart beat slow and not as strong as at any other time to make the body in thi this s low condition undergo the shock of a cold bath is like licking a person when he is down one in four have resistance however there Is the individual about one in four who because of inborn or acquired resistance can take this cold bath have a brisk rub feel a good reaction without any let down during the day I 1 an idea used by many who wish to get the refreshing reaction to the cold water without too much shock to the system is to run a few inches of hot water into the bathtub stand in it for a minute to let the heat of the water strike the large blood vessels of the ankles and then step into the cold water shower the heat of the water by adding warmth to the blood and a little more speed to the circulation prevents the severe shock of the cold water A brisk rubdown stimulates the circulation and the benefit of the morning cold shower is felt all day those who are thin have thin blood or a poor circulation would do well to avoid cold showers or tub baths unless prescribed by their physician |