BATHING

Evening Star, Issue 21232, 13 October 1932, Page 12

BATHING

WORLD VAGARIES Many domestic and other uses have been standardised, but there are still parts of the world where the people like to wash in special ways or to follow what might he called ritual not usual in English-speaking countries. The Japanese probably wash even more frequently than the English, for in the land of the Rising Sun even the coolies bathe at least once and often twice or three times a day! Public baths are found everywhere, and public bathing is general. Bathers disrobe behind the paper screens of roadside bathing sheds, wash down with soap, and then step into the tank. Crouching down in the tank the bather can watch the life in the streets, but after his rinse the man dresses again and passes on his way without exchanging a word with his fellow bathers. The water in the bathing tanks is maintained at a regular temperature of llOdeg F. by a charcoal stove. It used to Ce an old French custom for the family to use the same water in succession, the eldest going first and the rest following in order of seniority. Before the water was emptied in a sheet was spread on the bottom of the tub, and, instead of asking a guest whether he would have hot or cold water, the host offered him a “ skim.” for which purpose the sheet was used. For a modest sum, bath tub, sheet, hot towels, and water could be hired from men who travelled about the country with specially equipped wagons. They also engaged to warm the water. Many a Finn is satisfied with any rough building when he wants to add a bath house to the list of domestic amenities. The Finn regards bathing as a serious matter, and when he takes over a now property the bathing place is his first consideration. The roof must

be peaked, with a chimney-like aperture, but where this cannot be provided a small window is placed over the door. A small anteroom opens into the main chamber, in the corner of which is a big fireplace of large round stones, built about a deep firebox. When the family is due for a tub a huge fire is made and maintained at a regular heat until all the stones are very warm. The fire is then raked out and buckets of water poured over the stones. Before this is done the family will take up positions on the three or four platforms of varying heights ranged around the room, and arc soon enveloped in a dense volume of steam. When steamed to satisfaction, the bather runs into the anteroom, where a pail of cold water is thrown over him. If he does not care for this attention he takes a vigorous roll in the snow, and then hurries over to the house. Before the present regime in Russia the peasant reserved Saturday as the day for removing the grime of a week—or perhaps longer. After the baking, he waited until the oven had cooled considerably and then crawled into it for a good sweat. , He then emerged and stood up manfully to the pails of water his wife poured over him. Ho did not bother to put on fresh clothes after his bath, but he did give the oven a new coat of whitewash for the next baking day. Elaborate preparations are made by the West African natives for a good soak. Into a hole dug in the ground a concoction of herbs, poppers, hushes and seeds is put, and then boiling water poured over. When the bather enters this tub, he pulls a light frame, covered with clay, over him, so that the steam may not escape. Most natives living in hot climates spend much time in the water, using soap of their own manufacture or purchased from traders’ stores lor shaves and shampoos. On the other hand, the hairy Ainu considers he has performed the ablutions necessary when he washes face and hands on rare ceremonial occasions. The Eskimo, during the fishing season, having to wade into the sea and work his nets and gear, is a reckless bather. But his wife and family consider civilisation’s debt paid when wot things have been merely handled. The Tibetian will, on great occasions, wet the tips of his fingers and his face, hut lie resolutely refuses to wash away the oil of the body, considering that it produces the warmth his mountain life demands. It has been said that Turkish and Russian are names of baths presented to the world by generous people who have no desire for retaining anything of this sort themselves—a rare form of kindness. The bathing idea started years ago. and the most wonderful swimming poo] the world has ever known was built in Solomon’s Temple, W. L. Spence writes in an overseas paper. Hold aloft by twelve carved oxen, three facing each cardinal point of the compass, it was circular in shape. The basin was decorated with carvings of loaves and lilies. This “ molten sea ” at one time hold .‘I.OOO bathers, but it was designed for the high priests, with about 20,000 lesser baths of nil and 20,000 baths of wine reserved for the people. Those were indeed spacious times.