Observations on the efficacy of cold-bathing in the prevention and cure of diseases / by Alexander Gordon.

  • Gordon, Alexander, 1752-1799.
Date:
1786
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the efficacy of cold-bathing in the prevention and cure of diseases / by Alexander Gordon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    judge of its utility, ordered it to be employed in an elpecial manner for the prevention of diieafes. And no doubt the mo ft powerful means were ne- ceflary for that purpofe, where fuch numbers were encamped for fo long a 1’pace in a warm climate. The practice of cold-bathing was very common among the ancient Greeks and Romans. That cold-bathing was commonly pradtifed at Rome,' is fufficiently obvious, wrhen in the city, during the reign of the Emperors, there were no lefs than 142 public baths, and 6x8 private ones, befides thofe which belonged to the Emperor. Nor has the ufe of cold-bathing been confined to former ages and to warm climates only. It is common alfo in modern times, not only in warm climates, but in countries which are very cold, par- ticularly Ruffia and Lapland. In Lapland f, wdiere the inhabitants are remark- able for health and longevity, the infants, during the firft year, are immerfed in cold water three times every day, and as often every week, dur- ing the fubfequent ones. The inhabitants of the Ifthmus of America re- ceive no injury from plunging into cold water when in a fweat. And, as the moft fpeedy reme- dy for intoxication, the women throw their huf- bands into it when drunk. The women, immediately after delivery, fcruple t Buffon’s Natural Hiftory. not