Whilst cleanliness is important when the skin is healthy and the amount of perspiration and secretion is quite normal, in the case of the abnormal skin we must intensify our efforts to maintain cleanliness. In disease the skin, as an eliminating organ, is throwing off much more of its poisons, and the unclean skin may act in an irritating way. Water is the great solvent, and we must use it to assist the sluggish skin in its functions. The cleansing bath is necessary in most cases, and by this we mean the use of hot water and a good soap. If the skin is hard and scaly then it is a very good plan, before taking the bath, to rub the whole of the body with olive oil, or if the scales are located in one particular area, then that alone may be well oiled. This is very useful, because when the soap and the water are then used the hardened skin will give up the scales and scabs with much less trouble.The water should be about 90 degrees, and the patient should be immersed in the bath for a few minutes before commencing the lathering process. This should be done very thoroughly, especially wherever there are folds of the skin. Then the lather should be washed off every part of the body before the drying process begins. As a rule the bath should be of about fifteen minutes’ duration, but less, of course, if the patient shows any signs of exhaustion.The bath should be taken at a time when it may be followed by a period of rest. If the skin trouble is of a major character then a rest in bed is indicated right after the bath. On no account should any strenuous work be undertaken right after the bath, nor should the body be exposed to draughts and cold air. Keeping warm after the bath will help to prolong the period of elimination which is the really important thing to bear in mind.
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Meditation is not really so much a therapy as a way of life. Once you have learnt how to meditate you will want to practise the technique every day – whether you’re in good health or bad.Meditation is not a ‘religious’ exercise, though many religions around the world use meditation to induce a feeling of peace and inner calm. Nor is it simply a case of sitting still for ten minutes. You need to learn to blot out the world so that you have a chance to listen to your ‘inner self’.If you haven’t tried meditation before you may need a little practice before you get the hang of it, but you will. You can learn meditation by yourself at home but the best way is to join a class and get taught property.One of the simplest techniques involves the following steps:• Sit with a straight back, either in a chair or cross-legged on the floor, with your hands resting in your tap and your feet firmly on the ground, feet slightly apart.• Close your eyes and take several slow breaths – make sure your abdomen swells out when you breathe in and sinks back when you breathe out (it is hard to relax if you are breathing with your upper chest).• Repeat a neutral word over and over again in your mind slowly – this word will be your ‘mantra’ (it can be any word but many people choose evocative ones such as ‘one’, ‘peace’ or ‘flower’).• If you feel your mind wandering, and it is natural for it to do so, turn your mind back to your counting or your mantra.• Do this for 15 minutes.• At the end of that time stop and sit quietly for a minute or so before opening your eyes and getting up slowly.Clinical research has shown that regular meditation can reduce stress levels and is of use in treating stress-related conditions. Patients treated for high blood pressure have even been able to reduce their medication after taking up meditation.*58\120\4*