Volume 2

Health lectures for the people.

Date:
1883-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health lectures for the people. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    80/600 (page 68)
    who have weak circulation, or heart disease, or chronic king disease, or congestions of internal organs such as stomach or kidneys. The caution not to bathe soon after a meal should be specially observed by swimmers. They have sometimes a tendency to sickness, should the food be ejected from the stomach it may be drawn into the windpipe and cause an immediately fatal result. The tyro bather should undress quickly, go rapidly into the water at once, over the head several times, then out and dry with a rough towel, dress rapidly, and take a brisk walk afterwards. The robust may remain a longer time in the water. As inflam- mation of the ears is occasionally produced by the entrance of water into them, it is better to prevent this by putting in a small piece of cotton wool, which the bather ought not to forget to re- move afterwards. If the body is warm it is best not to wait for cooling, because if the surface is chilled before going into the water the reaction is less likely to be good. But if the bather be subject to cramp he ought not to go into the water while very warm, or at least not beyond his depth. Bather's Cramp is often caused by the shock of cold water to the surface under certain conditions. There is usually a consti- tutional peculiarity predisposing to it, and robust middle-aged males seem to be more liable to it than others. The body being very warm, fatigue, prolonged muscular exertion, and sudden severe muscular effort, favour its production. Those, therefore, who are subject to cramp ought not to go into deep water if any of these conditions be present. One who is frequently troubled with cramp ought not to go into deep water at all. If a bather is seized with cramp he must endeavour to retain his self-possession, if he lose this his case is hopeless. If the cramp be in one leg, it ought to be maintained extended at rest, and by means of the arms and the other limb the swimmer may make way, or by the hands only he may maintain himself erect - until it has passed oflF. It has also been recommended that the bather throw himself on his back and kick out vigorously. For general cramp of the chest muscles there is no treatment available.