埃及居民夏日沙浴治疗疾病
The hot desert sands seem the most unlikely place to 'take a bath' in the height of summer but locals in western Egypt believe it is the natural way to cure many medical conditions.
炎炎夏日，炎热的沙漠似乎是最不可能“洗浴”的地方，但是埃及西部的当地居民相信沙浴是治愈许多医疗病症的天然良方。
At the hottest time of the day, sufferers of rheumatism, joint pain, infertility or impotence lie buried neck-deep in the sand of Siwa near Dakrour Mountain.
Patients relax in the shade before treatment, which includes massages by the feet of health workers after they submerge their patients up to their neck in the desert. They spend between 10 and 15 minutes buried beneath the sands before being dug out and moving to tents that have been exposed to the sun to act like saunas. In case they are not hot enough already, they then indulge in a nice hot cup of herbal tea to round off the treatment.
Raafat El-Fiqi, a maths teacher and researcher from Alexandria, has been taking the sand baths of Siwa for a few years after it was recommended by his doctor. 'I always feel better here, it's good for my blood circulation, my breathing, and my immunity in general,' he said.
They are then taken to a house to cool down before changing ready for dinner. It is recommended that they do not shower for three days after treatment or allow cold air onto their skin, for maximum effect.
A course of treatment takes between three and nine days, costing between 300 to 400 Egyptian pounds a day which includes accommodation and food.