A course of eighteen or twenty-one baths are taken, generally in sets of three, with a day's rest between each set. Sometimes only two are taken between the days of rest, and sometimes four. The number of baths in one course never exceeds thirty. The temperature of the bath is, as a rule, 980 in winter and 950 in summer, but it may be taken as low as 920.

The patient reclines in the bath quite quietly, covered by water to the neck, five minutes for the first bath, gradually increasing in subsequent baths up to fifteen or twenty minutes.

Two hours must elapse after the last meal before a bath is taken. In coming out of the bath the patient is wrapped in a warm sheet, and dried by the nurse while seated ; this is followed by an hour's rest in bed.

The patient should not have the bath when tired. Pulse to be taken before and after the bath.

Dr. Groedel¹ states that ' The effects produced by the baths is from the action of the irritants in the water on the nerve endings in the skin. This irritation is conveyed from the terminals to the nerve centres, and thus an effect is obtained on the whole system.'

Dr. Theodor Schott² says: 'The heart beats more slowly and strongly, the pulse becomes full and increases in force, and the blood-pressure may rise to the extent of 20 or 30 or even more millimetres of mercury. The breathing becomes regular and quiet, and the vital capacity of the lungs is increased. The action of the skin, in cases in which it is important that the functions of this organ should be stimulated, is increased. Almost invariably the excretion of urine is increased.

¹Baths and Gymnastics in Arteriosclerosis.
²Mineral waters of Nauheim.

The baths are to be had in perfection at Nauheim, where they are prepared with the natural waters direct from the springs. It was here that Drs. Theodor and August Schott originated the treatment, which is still carried on by the former, and who says that similar effects may be derived from baths artificially prepared to resemble these waters in their principal mineral ingredients.

Ingredients for Preparing the Bath at Home.

10 pounds chloride of sodium. 10 ounces chloride of calcium.

To cause effervescence, add—.

1.5 pounds bicarbonate of soda. 2.5 pounds hydrochloric acid.

To add the acid, place the neck of the bottle under the water before drawing out the stopper.

The chloride of calcium should first be dissolved in a pint of water.

Half these quantities to be used for the first set of three baths, two-thirds for the second set, then the full bath.

Forty to fifty gallons of water in each case.

A much simpler way is to use Dr. Ernest Sandow's arrangement. The ingredients are made up in powder and tablets, and packed in small boxes, each box containing sufficient for a full bath. Mix well the contents of the little bags in above quantity of water ; add the eight tablets—four at each side of the bath—when the evolution of carbonic acid gas immediately commences, and lasts for about half an hour.

Half the quantity to be used for the first three baths.

During the bath the body is covered with minute globules of gas ; it is these which stimulate the skin, causing a fine prickly sensation.