J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 61(2): 171-184, 1960

---

ON THE INFLUENCE OF HOT SPRING BATHING UPON WOUND HEALING ; ESPECIALLY, ON THE HISTOLOGY

Using various hot spring waters, we studied the influence of successive hot spring bathing (up to the neck, once daily) on experimental cutaneous wounds of the rabbits, and obtained, as compared with the control (non-bathed) , the following results:
1. The rabbits were subjected to bathing in different kinds of hot springs as, Bunin-Sen, Takino-Yu, Unagi-Yu, artificial sulphuretted hydrogen spring, Hijiori-Spa, Genzo-Yu, city water and control. Each rabbits group according to the kinds of hot springs were ranked by the specific rate of their wound contracture. Those of the control showed the least recovery.
2. From histological observations, it was found that the hot spring bathing generally aids in the extension of the regenerating epithelium, and promoted an increase of the capillaries and the formation of collagen fiber in the granulation tissue.
3. The alkaline phosphatase activity in skin wounds decreased by hot spring bathing, but glycogen in the regenerating epithelium increased.
4. Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺, K⁺, SO₄^--, Cl^-, OH^-, CO₃^-- were conceivably effective factors for wound healing.
5. The extension of the regenerating epithelium was encouraged generally by moderate amounts of sulphates, but hindered by an excessive quantity. The effect of calbonates were inferior to those of sulphates, and excessive NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, NaOH promoted an increase of the capillaries and the growth of collagen fiber.
6. H₂S, CO₃, and pH of hot spring waters had no significance on wound healing.
7. For wound healing, the degree of freshness of the hot spring waters was particularly important.
(Authors ' abstract)

---

---

To read the PDF file you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.