Ceremonial bathing（仪式性的沐浴）has existed for thousands ofyears and has many forms, one of which is the sauna. The Finns have perfectedthe steam bath,or

sauna,which may betaken, usually in an enclosed room,by pouring water over hot rocks or as a dryheat bath.The Japanese, Greeks,Turks and Russians as well as Native

Americans have formsof the sweat bath in their bathing rituals.Dry heat and steam baths hadadvocates in ancient Romeand pre-Columbian Americans used sweat lodges.

The earliest saunaswere probably underground caves heated by a fire that naturally filled withsmoke as chimney making was unknown at that time.A fire kept in a fire-pit

would heat the rockwalls of the cave.After reaching full heat,the smoke was let out of the caveand the stones would retain heat for several hours.A few people today say that

the smokesauna,"savusauna"is the only true sauna experience and that allsaunas should have at least a background odor（气味）or smoke. Today most saunas use electric

stoves,although gasand wood-burning stoves are available.

Saunas are relaxingand stress relieving. Those with muscle aches or arthritis（关节炎）may find that the heat relaxesmuscles and relieves pain and inflammation（炎

症）.Asthmapatients find that the heat enlarges air passageways of the lung andfacilitates breathing. Saunas do not cure the common cold but they may help toalleviate

congestion（减轻胸闷感）and speed recovery time. Thebody's core temperature usually rises 1—2 degrees whilein the sauna,thus imitating a slight fever. The sauna could

be considered tofollow the old saying"feed a cold,starve a fever".The regular use ofa sauna may decrease the likelihood of getting a cold in the first place.

Sauna is good foryour skin as the blood flow to the skin increases and sweating occurs.Adultssweat about 2 pounds of water per hour on average in a sauna. A good sweat

removes dirt andgrime （污垢；尘垢）from poresand gives the skin a healthy glow. The loss in water weight is temporary as thebody's physiological mechanisms will

quickly restoreproper volumes.The cardiovascular system（心血管系统）gets a work out（运动，锻炼）as the heart must pumpharder and faster to move blood to the

surface for heatexchange.Heart rate may increase from 72 beats per minute on average to 100一150 beats per minute.

A normal heart canhandle these stresses but those with heart trouble wishing to begin to use asauna should seek a doctor's advice. The elderly and those with diabetes（糖尿

病）should checkwith their doctor prior to beginning to take saunas.Pregnant women should nottake saunas,particularly in the first three months. Indeed,everyone just

starting out shouldtake short sessions（做某事的一段时间）at first to become accustomed to this type of bath.Ceremonialbathing__________.

A.is called thesauna by Finns

B.is equivalent tothe steam bath

C.has various forms

D.is held in anenclosed room