"VAPOR BATHS."

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 548, 28 June 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

" VAPOR BATHS."

An inquest held at St. Anne's-on-the-I Sea is worth the attention of mothers who, j when their children are suffering from I influenza, or other evil effects of suoh weather as we have lately experienced, extemporise what they term a " vapor-bath" as a remedy for these ailments. The inquest was on the remains of a little girl, aged nine years, who met with her death under very painful circumstances. The child not being well, the mother, at the suggestion of a neighbor, put her on a " vapour-bath. " This bath was constructed of a go-cart, underneath which was placed a bucket of hot water, with a hot brick in it, the child being seated! in the go-cart and wrapped in a blanket. When the deceased had undergone this treatment for about 10 minutes she eoreamed violently and endeavored to get up, but her mother put her back again, and per* nuaoUwi her to remain in the bath a uhort time longer. Ib was then found that the unfortunate child was so horribly scalded that all the attempts to save her life proved in vain, and after she had lingered some days death put an end to her sufferings. The jury returned a verdict of "Death by misadventure, " at the same time expressing their opinion that the mother or the deceased and the neighbour who assisted had not exercised due care in the administration of the vapour-bath. Properly prepared and properly administrated, vapour-baths are no doubt in many cases of great value, but there is always great risk attending their use except under medical advice and direction.— Pall Mall Gazette.