COLD-BATHING.

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pie need not give themselves much trouble to enjoy the advantagesof sea-bathing in preference to river-water, as the grand effect ofboth is nearly the same, though some considerations of less mo-ment may concur to render the former more inviting. Among thesewe must reckon the usual resort of gay company to different partsof the coast in summer, the refreshing coolness of the sea-air inthat season, and the agreeable stimulus which many persons expe-rience from the action of saline particles, not only in the water,but when they are floating in the atmosphere. It should also beconsidered, that the temperature of the sea is more uniform thanthat of rivers, never rising so high, or sinking so low, in any changeof weather. But such points of difference are chiefly interesting tovaletudinarians.

What I have said of the cold-bath, when used as the means ofpreventing disease, will throw some light on the propriety of occa-sionally resorting to it as an important remedy. In cases of pe-culiar delicacy and danger, it is an instrument which can only beentrusted to the most skilful hands ; but in many other less criticalsituations, a few plain rules may be of considerable service.

The first object to be attended to in the use of the cold-bath, asa remedy, is, whether the patient is not too much enfeebled to bearthe shock. This cannot always be determined by appearances ;but a single experiment will remove all doubt. If the immersionbe followed by a pleasant glow, and a sense of increasing alacrity,it is the best proof of its agreeing with the constitution, and of itsbeing likely to have a happy influence on the whole frame. Hencethe cold-bath is found to bean excellent bracer and restorative incases of languor, of habitual lassitude, and of muscular or nervousweakness, when arising from much confinement, a sedentary life,intense study, or any of the usual causes of relaxation. But it isalways understood, that, in every instance of this sort, a sufficientstrength of original stamina still remains to produce a proper re-action of the heart and arteries, upon which all the salutary effectsof bathing depend.

The great efficacy of the cold bath, and particularly of sea-bathing, has often been experienced in scrofulous complaints, whichare always attended with a relaxation of the fibres, and a strongdisposition to languor and indolence. In such cases, sea-bathingis not only recommended as a tonic, or bracer, but as a powerfuldetergent and purifier also, especially if the sea-water be used inter-nally at the same time. No difference of opinion prevails on thishead, as far as it relates to the scrofula, but it has been alleged,that sea-bathing, though a good preventive of the scrofula, couldnot remove the local effects of the disease when once formed. Myown practice in the treatment of scrofulous affections has not beenextensive enough to enable me to speak to this point with a toneof confidence ; but the contrary doctrine appears to me supportedby the fairest reasoning, and, what is more, by indisputable facts.In the first place, a weak flaccid habit, and a thin skin, very sus-ceptible of impressions from cold moist air, are the principal, if notthe only predisposing causes of the scrofula. Now the cold-bath isthe best remedy for both, as it renders the texture of the skin firm,and invigorates the system. By being therefore so well adapted