Warm baths, Turkish baths, vapour baths, shower baths, cold plunges, and sea baths should only be used under special medical orders. (See the author's work "On the Mont Dore Cure" 1st ed.)

During ordinary health, the skin of the body and limbs should be smartly rubbed, once in twenty-four hours, first with a rough towel wet with cold water, and then with a dry one till in a glow. The bather should stand on a dry rug while using this "cold friction bath," and it should not last more than one or two minutes, including both the wet and the dry rub. Salt may be advantageously added to the water; and the bath may be used either on rising or going to bed, according to the feelings and convenience of each individual.

When water cannot be borne cold, it must not be used tepid, but scalding hot. - The momentary application of scalding hot water to the skin, immediately followed by a brisk friction ("hot friction bath"), will produce a direct action glow much like the reaction glow following the application of cold.

If the weather is very cold or the person delicate and chilly, the upper half of the body should be uncovered and bathed and rubbed first, and then a woollen vest should be put on and the lower half uncovered and bathed and rubbed.

It is well to accustom the feet to being washed in cold water, but it must be done cautiously at first, and they should never be kept in the water more than a few seconds.

It is obvious that there are times when cold bathing of all kinds must be temporarily discontinued, and except under definite medical orders it is not advisable to sit or stand in cold water.