The Showerbath as a Stimulant
Because of the pronounced effect upon the heart and brain through stimulation owihe skin on the shoulders and upper part of the trunk, it iybest that the shower disc be placed not more than two or three feet above the bather’s head, whether hot or cold water is used. The heart is often powerfully excited, the blood pressure raised and the brain and nervous system are greatly aroused, especially by the cold shower, the first effect of which is almost to inhibit respiration.
Unless one is quite strong and vigorous, it is usually best to begin the shower bath by allowing the water to fall upon the feet first, holding first one foot and then the other to receive the falling water; then the hands, arms, shoulders, and back should be showered, and finally the chest and abdo¬men. This is particularly preferable when the cold shower is taken by or given to “cold-blooded” people or those con¬siderably below normal in vigor. In cases of low vitality, the head should be covered with a thick turban or rubber bathing cap, but this is an unnecessary precaution when the bath is used as a hygienic, tonic measure by those of ordinary vigor.
One should keep in active motion during the bath, rubbing the body well with the hands and lifting the legs one at a time. The chest especially should be rubbed vigorously, though at the first contact of the cold water with this part the hands should be held over it to protect its contained organs from too great shock. The duration of the bath depends upon its tem¬perature and the condition of the bather; but it should rarely continue longer than from one to three minutes.