Bath, Va′pour

Syn. Dew′-bath* ; Bal′neum va′por is , B. ro′′ris† , As′sa sud a′tio , A. vapor a′tio , Vapora′′rium* , L.; Bain de vapeurs , Fr. The vapour of hot water, either pure or medicated. cloths, or sprinkling a little water on two or three heated bricks, laid under a chair on which the patient is seated; both the patient and whole apparatus being covered with a sheet or blanket, or, better still, a spacious waterproof cloak, to keep in the heated vapour. A large lump of quick-lime, set in a pan or an old iron pot and sprinkled with a little water, or else wrapped up in a thick coarse towel which has been previously soaked in water, may be substituted for the hot bricks; and often advantageously so. The slaking of the lime and the consequent evolution of vapour may be kept up or renewed, when nece ary, by sprinkling on a little more water. This forms the “ POOR MAN’S VAPOUR BATH ” of the French. Dr Serres has suggested, as something apparently original, that a lump of quick-lime, wrapped in a wet cloth and covered with a dry one, be placed on each side of the patient; [118] and the whole being covered up allowed to remain until copious perspiration is established. It must, however, be recollected that by none of these minor contrivances can the temperature of the vapour, and its supply, be regulated, as in a perfect bath, even a portable one, such as is shown in the engraving . [118] “In bed” (!), says the Dr; but surely one who could only afford such a bath would find it difficult to obtain a fresh, dry bed; whilst it would be equally improper for him to lie in a wet or damp one. IMG:596405606043057898_i279.png: The following are the temperatures, ., of this bath: [119] — [119] The temperatures of baths given here, and previously are those now generally adopted in the profe ion. See Dr Forbes’s ‘Cycl. of Prac. Med.,’ vol. i, 265; Pereira’s ‘Mat. Med.,’ i, 17; . | Temperature of Vapour, Fahr. | | Breathed. | Not breathed. | | Tepid vapour bath | 90° to 100° | 96° to 106° | | Warm vapour bath | 100 to 110 | 106 to 120 | | Hot vapour bath | 110 to 130 | 120 to 160 | Uses, . It is one of the most powerful diaphoretics known, and is almost specific in nearly all those cases wherein warm or hot bathing proves advantageous. It is one of the most certain agents existing in cases of chronic rheumatism, contracted muscles and tendons, stiffne of joints, indurations, dysentery, diarrhœa, suppre ions, . Instances are numerous in which the lame have thrown aside their crutches and the bedridden have again mixed with the world after a few applications of this bath. It is no uncommon thing to hear a patient start and shriek with agony before entering the bath, and to receive his congratulations and thanks on his coming out. They often exclaim—“It is wonderful. I could not have believed it!” [120] [120] Culver well ‘On Baths and Bathing.’