Sauna 
      Ceremonial bathing has existed for thousands of years and has many forms, one of which is the sauna. The Finns have perfected the steam bath, or sauna, which may be taken, usually in an enclosed room, by pouring water over hot rocks or as dry heat bath. The Japanese, Greeks, Turks and Russians as well as Native Americans have forms of the sweat bath in their bathing rituals. Dry heat and steam baths had advocates in ancient Rome and pre-Columbian Americans used sweat lodges. 
      The earliest saunas were probably underground caves heated by a fire that naturally filled with smoke as chimney making was unknown at that time. a fire kept in a fire-pit would heat the rock walls of the cave. After reaching full heat, the smoke was let out of the cave and the stones would retain heat for several hours. A few people today say that the smoke sauna, “svusauna”, is the only true sauna experience and that all saunas should have at least a background odor or smoke. Today most saunas use electric stoves, although gas and wood-burning stoves are available. 
      Saunas are relaxing and stress relieving. Those with muscle aches or arthritis may find that the heat relaxes muscles and relieves pain and inflammation. Asthma patients find that the heat enlarges air passageways of the lung and facilitates breathing. Saunas do not cure the common cold but they may help to alleviate congestion and speed recovery time. The body’s core temperature usually rises a 1-2 degrees while in the sauna, thus imitating a slight fever. The regular use of a sauna may decrease the likelihood of getting a cold in the first place. 
      Sauna is goof for your skin as the blood flow to the skin increases and sweating occurs. Adults sweat about 2 lbs of water per hour on average in a sauna. A good sweat removes dirt and grime from pores and gives the skin a healthy glow. The loss in water weight is temporary as the body’s physiological mechanisms will quickly restore proper volumes. The cardiovascular system gets work out as the heart must pump harder and faster to move blood to the surface for heat exchange. Heart rate may increase from 72 beats per minute on average to 100-150 beats per minute. 
      A normal heart can handle these stresses but those with heart trouble wishing to begin to use a sauna should seek a doctor’s advice. The elderly and those with diabetes should check with their doctor prior to beginning to take saunas. Pregnant women should not take saunas, particularly in the first three months. Indeed, everyone just starting out should take short sessions at first to become accustomed to this type of bath.

1. Ceremonial bathing
  A. is called the sauna by Finns.
  B. is equivalent to the steam bath.
  C. has various forms.
  D. is held in an enclosed room.

2. What is understood by some people to be the true sauna experience?
  A. Saunas in underground caves.
  B. Saunas with smoke.
  C. Saunas using wood burning stoves.
  D. Saunas using electric stoves.

3. According to the third paragraph, saunas can do all of the following EXCEPT
  A. reducing the chance of getting cold.
  B. speeding recovery.
  C. relieving stress.
  D. curing asthma.

4. According to the fourth paragraph, sauna gives the skin a healthy glow because
  A. pores are cleaned by sweat.
  B. water is lost by sweating.
  C. blood moves to the surface for heat exchange.
  D. the heart pumps harder and faster.

5. Who are advised not to take a sauna?
  A. Elderly people.                               
  B. Pregnant women.
  C. People with heart trouble.               
  D. All of the above.