he body about twice every minute,
the cooling takes place from 20 to 24 times during a bath, lasting from
10 to 12 minutes. This explains the soothing and cooling effect of the
bath on the waves of blood and the nerves, which are irritated by the
increased temperature.

At the same time the bath opens the pores which assist in the excretion
of degenerated matter produced by the disease, and fosters the reception
of oxygen.

It is a natural function of the body that an increased flow of the
warming blood flies always to any region of the body which is assailed
by external cold, so that such parts may not become too cold or, in
common parlance, may not "catch" cold.

This explains why the hands get red and hot after throwing snow-balls,
the feet burn after a cold foot bath.

As soon as the body, which is hot with fever, is put into the cool bath,
the first effect is that the blood-vessels of the skin contract under
the cooling influence. The blood recedes. Soon, however, it streams with
renewed energy to the skin to defeat the cold. The first action,--the
recession of the blood,--is followed by reaction or increased activity
of circulation towards the skin. This removes the pressure of the blood
upon the overburdened internal organs, such as the brain, the lungs and
the heart. The blood is diverted.

For ablutions the water should be cool or lukewarm, the exact
temperature to be determined by the strength of the patient. Some
vinegar should be added to the water, taking two parts water and one
part vinegar.

To accustom children to the use of water and ablutions is one of the
important duties of motherhood.

A healthy child should be washed once every day with water at 59 degrees
to 64 degrees. The best way to wash the child is to put two chairs in
front of its bed. On one of them place the vessel with the necessary
water, on the other place the child, after it has been disrobed in bed,
in a standing position, so that it can be supported with the back of the
chair. The ablution is performed by means of strong application with the
hands, dipped into the water, and is repeated several times. Then the
shirt is put on again, and the child is allowed to stay well covered in
bed for another 15 minutes.

Children must become accustomed to gargling as early as possible, and to
draw water up through the nose, or to remove it from the mouth through
the nose. This is very valuable and facilitates the treatment of
children