THE TURKISH BATHS.

New Zealand Herald, Issue XXI, 15 May 1884, Page 3

THE TURKISH BATHS.

TO THE EDITOR. . Snt, —1 am glad to see that the Auckland Turkish Baths Company contemplate the erection of new baths on an extended scale. As I claim, by reason of much experience, - to have some practical knowledge of these matters, it may not come amiss if I, with your kind permission, offer some practical suggestions to those concerned in the under- . taking. In my opinion, if proparly : constructed and well managed, it will prove a Buccess, to those pecuniarily affected'and a boon to the publio at large. 1 would, suggest . that the directors communicate with JBar- . tholomew, of Bristol, Constantino, of Man-. cheater, or Hunter, of Smedleys, as to the best and most economical bath apparatus of the day. Oonstantine's patent apparatus for heating baths and public buildings is held in high estimation in England, , and ' plans and specifications might" bo" procured from him. The cost would ,be small compared to the benefit likely to accrue from this source. I consider the requirements of a well-constituted Turkish bath-are-as follows :—The temperature ranging.< at will from 100 to over 200 degrees ; the power of. radiation distributing! heat evenly over the body ; a perpetual change of 'air passing in a strong current, and -in its passage carrying oil. the impure . exhalations effeo-' tually. The hot rooms should largo, but not lofty, the exhalations from the skin (says Bartholomew) being with carbonic acid gas, too heavy an element to ascend to any great height. -Much heat is lost and expense entailed by -having the rooms too lofty, inaamudh aV the hot air is admitted through the ceiling and carried off under the seats—hence considerable expense in heating the" baths and in keeping up the temperature .is saved. With a. view to success, they must be built on soundscientiiitf principles by experienced, competent hands ; if shambled together by unskilful "workmen, or designed by arohi-. teets without experience,. the result would be failure, and consequent loss to all- concerned, as indeod has been the case in the South. It is a sine qua noti that the baths be supervised and under the management of some properly qualified person. .'I would moreover recommend that a hair-dresser's, apartment, etc., be fitted' up on the ground floor, as-is the case in the new baths near completion in Sydney, and I would finally BUggest that the' management and attendants be remunerated on a system of part profit, whioh is calculated to induce zeal and civility on the 'part of those vitally interested in thb success of the business. With these concluding remarks—l am, &c>, K. D. SYKKS, ' Fairfield Villa, Mount Eden. April, ISS4.