The use of water cannot be too much applied to any athlete as regards outward application, but of course cold is the most beneficial if the constitution of the recipient be of sufficient vigor; and there are but very few indeed who are so delicate as to require tepid or warm water; but even the latter are better than the absence, even partially, of the bath. Cold baths may be taken anyhow and anywhere, provided the whole of the body is immersed or thoroughly sponged over, but the most decided benefit will be derived from the plunge bath. However, equally successful results may be gained by the use of a large bath well filled with water, the body being well sluiced with the water from a large sponge. The shower is also of great benefit, but in some conditions of body the sudden shock has rendered the nervous system so irritable that it has undone all the good intended by the reaction. Where there is not the convenience of a bath of any kind, a towel dipped in water and the body thoroughly and briskly rubbed will insure a thorough cleansing of the pores of the skin, and of course a proportionate share of vigor given to the frame. In the present system of training, the pedestrian puts on his sweaters and does the work set him by his trainer, and then, when he is in a state of perfect perspiration, he throws off his wet and reeking flannels, and takes his shower with the greatest unconcern, knowing that the friction which is afterwards applied will restore the proper heat of the body after the sudden shock of the shower has closed the pores of the skin for the time and relieved him of all his previous fatigue. The rubbing restores the circulation of the small blood-vessels of the skin, and so strong and fresh do the pedestrians feel after this treatment that, when dressed, they all declare they feel no remains of their previous fatigue. Nothing but good has accrued from the treatment, and those who have undergone a trial of the sweat and shower swear by the method.

The Turkish bath is only fit to reduce an infirm and obese man to something like weight to begin work, and can only be looked upon as a luxury, and not an adjunct to training, besides being far from healthy. The hot bath is of course required when a man is stiff and tired all over from cold or overfatigue, when they will modify the symptoms; but, as they are so simple and so easily obtainable, they require no further comment. A vapor bath is of considerable use in assisting a healthy and fat man to reduce his weight; but after sweating he must be rubbed with a wet cloth, or have a shower; he should then put on a set or two of flannels, and do at least an hour of severe work, during which time the reducing process will be going on in perfection. On arriving home the wet towel should be applied, or a sponging with cold water; after a good rub, and fresh clothing being donned, it will be found there has been a good morning’s work accomplished.

The vapor bath can be made in a very home-spun and simple manner, but equally efficacious with those attached to baths of large name, etc. A washing or any other flat tub, a third filled with very hot water, in which is placed a stool, will do for the ground-work of the vapor. Take your seat on the stool, the feet of course outside the tub, and be well covered with blankets round the neck, and round the tub, leaving an opening which can be closed at leisure. Having heated two or three large bricks to a red heat, put one into the water, and when cooled another, until the bath has been prolonged a sufficient time. This is a primitive but a very useful bath to put into use to relieve a bad cold, or for any other service required at a short notice.