The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [138]
With regard to using a bath to help reduce fever, a cool or cold bath is not recommended. A bath of 88° to 95° F., which would produce little or no fall of temperature in a healthy person, seems to decrease temperature in one who is experiencing fever (for treating recurrent or intermittent-type fevers, see the section below, “Partial Body Baths, Employing Cold Water”). When a person’s temperature is three or four degrees above normal body temperature, the difference in the temperature of the hot skin of his or her body and that of the bath water is much greater than ordinary, and consequently the temperature-reducing effect of the bath is proportionately greater. (A water temperature of 80° to 85° F. makes an impression on the hot skin of a nervous, feverish individual similar to that produced by water at a temperature five or even ten degrees lower on a normal person’s skin.) Baths of 88° to 92° F. are highly effective in reducing temperature if sufficiently prolonged (30 to 45 minutes); a bath of this temperature has the advantage that it does not provoke a thermic reaction to any considerable degree and therefore does not increase heat production either during or after the bath. This bath is usually tolerated without difficulty by feeble individuals experiencing fever who would do poorly with a more intense application, and will be effective in lowering their body temperature if needed.
The secondary effects of prolonged immersion in a warm bath are muscular relaxation, sometimes to a considerable degree. Even after leaving the bath, there is an inclination to lassitude with a tendency to perspiration which can continue for some time—a pleasant experience. This bath often acts as a soothing remedy, producing a proclivity to sleep, and helps relieve certain diseased actions and states accompanied by abnormal irritability. This makes a warm bath quite helpful in eruptive fever conditions (such as measles) in which the pulse is frequent, the skin exceptionally hot and dry, and the general condition characterized by restlessness. The restorative effects of a warm bath depend on its temperature and the time a person remains in it. Twenty to twenty-five minutes (making sure to maintain the temperature of the water at 85° to 98° F.) is commonly recommended, but this is best regulated by whatever effect is being produced.
Warm baths are beneficial in the onset of any inflammation of mucous membranes, especially those of the nose and throat, in some congestion of internal organs, chronic rheumatism, and in spasmodic afflictions, especially of children. These baths are remarkably beneficial for relieving convulsions in children (convulsions may be very serious and need medical diagnosis); they not only relax spasms, but they soothe nervous irritation. If the convulsions are severe, it is helpful to also apply cold water to the head.
A bath of 88° to 95° F., which would produce little or no fall of temperature in a healthy person, seems to decrease temperature in one who is experiencing fever.
The secondary effects of prolonged immersion in a warm bath are muscular relaxation, sometimes to a considerable degree.
When a child is given a warm bath, care must be taken not to expose him or her to the cold air for the purposes of drying the body. The best technique is to envelop the child in a warm flannel sheet or warm blanket (including a huge wraparound hug with the gesture), and place him or her in bed at once. This way the child will not get chilled.
Warm baths are contraindicated in lung illness or when there