THE TURKISH BATH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 5, Issue 280, 10 May 1862, Page 2

THE TURKISH BATH.

The following letter appeared in the Launc'eston Examiner : — In addition to the important functions performed by the pores of the skin which I explained in my last, they also aid the lungs largely m the work of oxygenating the blood — each of these seven millions of little organs is a breathing apparatus as well a ; s an excreting one. This fact has been proved by inserting the hand in a vessel of oxygen, the mouth of which is closed round the wrist, when in a few minutes the oxygen becomes absorbed, and is replaced by carbonic acid. In closing the pores we therefore not only close the openings through which the impurities of the blood escape, but we also reduce the means by which the blood obtains its supply of oxygen. To meet this deficiency the lungs and heart have to perform extra duty, and this I believe is is one of the most fruitful sources of disease in those two organs. The introduction of the Turkish bath has proved beyond a question that there are very few people whose pores are in a healthy state ; indeed the artificial habits of the civilised world almost preclude the possibility of the pores performing their offices. Nature requires that the air should have free access to the whole surface of the body, that the pores may breathe freely and also that no impediment shall be offered to their pouring out their excretions. Fashion clothes us in tight-fitting garments, which seriously interfere with thoss essential conditions of health. Most people — ladies especially — are so clad that the air is almost completely cut off from the skin over a large portion of the body, and the pores thus become choked up. A mere superficial washing with water will not restore .the action of the pores, because the sweat glands in the inner skin and the tubes through which they should discharge become filled with solid matter, which cannot be removed by any external operation. The natural process by v^hich this evil should be overcome is to take exercise sufficient to keep up the vigorous action of the sweat glands, and at the same time to dress in such a manner as to allow the air to circulate freely underneath our clothing. Those who regularly do so have no need of a Turkish bath, as the pores are kept clean by the natural process, and washing in the ordinary manner will remove from the surface the dirt which has been discharged : from the interior. But those who do not take abundance of healthy exercise, or .who clothe themselves in such a manner as ..to interrupt the action of the pores, must either resort to some artificial means of providing for this deficient action or pay .the ; penalty in disease. To these latter — 5 and they are a large proportion of every '"cbrnmunity- — the Turkish bath affords a means of keeping the healthy well, and restoring the failing powers of the sick. The process, as it will be provided for in the Launceston bath, is as follows : — Each bather will be provided with a pri- . y ate room, in which he or she undresses and dresses in the bath costume, which is so arranged that while it provides for the most perfect decorum it permits the free ■rcontact of the air with the whole body. He then enters the shower-bath room, and takes a shower-bath of warm water. From -these he proceeds into the tepidarium, *; which, is a closed chamber heated to a temperature of 110° to 120° (Fahrenheit); .:^and after remaining in it for a short time enters the calidarium, which is at a ternof #0° to 1 80° (Fahrenheit,) and . J^wiigye;fie "remains juntil be perspires freely ; |g^p^^i?|Tarasl: ; f 9 where\ he li^sshamp^ at.-"'

room, and being first washed all over with soap and warm water applied with a soft brush, he takes a copious shower-bath, which, commencing at 100° temperature, gradually diminishes in heat until it is quite cold. The bather then returns to his dressing-room, where he reclines in an easy chair — his body only partially covered by a sheet — until all perspiration has ceased, and the skin is dry and cool. This completes the operation, and he then dresses. The time occupied is from an hour and a half to two hours.

In the tepidarium and shower-bath room each bather will have a private box in which he or she is perfectly screened from observation, so as to enable them to throw off all clothing that would interfere with their ablutions.