[AS. baeth]

The medium and method of cleansing the body or any part of it, or treating it therapeutically as with air, light, vapor, or water.
The temperature of the cleansing bath for a bed patient should be about 95°F (35°C) with a room temperature of 75° to 80°F (23.9° to 26.7°C).

THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
Warm and hot baths and applications soothe both the mind and the body. Gradually elevated hot tub and vapor baths relax all the muscles of the body. Hot baths promote vasodilation in the skin, drawing blood from the deeper tissues, and also help to relieve pain and stimulate nerves. Cold baths and applications abstract heat and stimulate reaction, esp. if followed by brisk rubbing of the skin. Cold constricts small blood vessels when applied locally.
See: hydrotherapy

Subentries:
alcohol bath
alkaline bath
alum bath
aromatic bath
astringent bath
bed bath
bland bath
brine bath
bubble bath
carbon dioxide bath
cold bath
colloid bath
complete bed bath
continuous bath
contrast bath
emollient bath
foam bath
foot bath
full bath
glycerin bath
herb bath
hip bath
hot bath
hot air bath
hyperthermal bath
kinetotherapeutic bath
lukewarm bath
medicated bath
milk bath
mud bath
mustard bath
Nauheim bath
needle bath
neutral bath
neutral sitz bath
oatmeal bath
oxygen bath
paraffin bath
powdered borax bath
saline bath
salt bath
sauna bath
seawater bath
sedative bath
sheet bath
shower bath
sitz bath
sponge bath
starch bath
stimulating bath
sun bath
sweat bath
towel bath
whirlpool bath