On the utility and safety of the fumigating bath : as a remedial agent in complaints of the skin, joints, rheumatism, gout, and disorder of the digestive organs ... / by Jonathan Green.

  • Green, Jonathan, 1788?-1864.
Date:
1847 (
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the utility and safety of the fumigating bath : as a remedial agent in complaints of the skin, joints, rheumatism, gout, and disorder of the digestive organs ... / by Jonathan Green. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/96 (page 18)
    and as all the secretions of the body are drawn from the blood, there is a consequent increase of every secretion, and a quickened action of the absorbent and exhalent outlets of the body': torpidity is removed, obstruc¬ tions are more or less overcome, a free, cir¬ culation is promoted, and perspiration en¬ sues, according to the time the body is exposed to the increased temperature. From this simple yet correct view of the effects of heat, it will at once be apparent to what a variety of ailments of the body it may be usefully applied ; the good effects of exercise are thus readily obtained, and without fatigue—an advantage duly appreci¬ ated by those who are unable to take exer¬ cise. The sensations produced are those of renewed vigour and cheerfulness. The con¬ trary of this is the effect, if the application is continued too long.* * The effects of heat, as occasioned by immersion in a warm-water bath, are very different from those just stated. In the latter, the weight of the water pressing equally on all sides impedes the cutaneous circulation, also the ac¬ tion of the exhalent and absorbing vessels of the skin; and the person, on coming out of the water, frequently feels languid and chilly. But a free and uninterrupted activity in all these important vessels takes place when the body is immersed in hot or warm air, the body being placed in a rarified medium,- with the pressure even of the atmosphere