Graduated Immersion Bath with Epsom Salt

Water Temperature: 40°C.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Procedure: The immersion bath tub should be filled up to 4” to 6” with water. A pound of Epsom salt is dissolved in the water. After drinking a glass of cold water and covering the head with a cold compress the patient lies down in the tub. The attendant quickly gives massage starting from the legs upwards for 2 minutes, then the hot water tap is opened and the water level is raised to 8” to 10” at 40°C and another pound of Epsom salt is dissolved in the water. The patient is again given massage for 3 to 5 minutes starting from the legs. The patient relaxes in the tub while the cold water tap is opened, which cools the water gradually. When the tub gets filled with water the temperature will be around 30°C and the patient continues to relax in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. Later he comes out of the tub and quickly dries himself.
Uses: This bath is helpful in treatment of all types of arthritic conditions when not associated with fever. This bath is also helpful as a diuretic and hence useful to the patients suffering from kidney disorders, dropsy, edema etc. Since this bath relaxes the whole system it is very useful in Insomnia also.
Contra–indications: To be avoided in High Blood Pressure, Heart Diseases, Weakness, Fever etc.

Asthma Bath

Procedure: The patient should lie down in the immersion tub which is half filled with water at a temperature of 37 to 38°C. The hot water tap is then opened and temperature is raised to 40 to 42°C. The duration is 4 minutes. Then the body is rubbed, beginning with the left leg, then the left arm, abdomen, chest, right leg, back and the spine. The spine is rubbed till the skin turns red. After rubbing the spine, the chest and the abdomen are rubbed for 3 or 4 minutes. When rubbing is over, the flow if hot water is stopped. Then the patient is asked to sit in an upright position and exhale for an instant and a bucketful of cold water is dashed over his back. Immediately the patient is asked to inhale and half a bucket of cold water is poured on his chest. He is asked to lie in the tub again for 2 to 4 minutes.
This process has to be repeated 2 to 3 times. The water in the tub has to be brought back always to 37–38°C. Finally, a short cold shower for 2 minutes and 30 to 40 minutes of relaxation is advised.
Uses: This treatment helps to improve the depth of respiration and relieves congestion from the lungs. Hence it is helpful in asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema etc.