Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-12

A New York lady gives us the follow
ing description of Turkish bath. Just
think how delightful ii must bein this
hot weather to pass from the Frigida-
rum to the Tepedarnlm, thence to the
Sudatorium, and then taking it horizon
tally, have all your skin ribbed of, but
we refer you to the lady:
Fresh from the bath. Did you ever
take a Turkish bath, Nell? i fancy not.
They are scarce Injuries in this coun-
Try, but let me describe one to you while
am still glowing with the warmth and
friction generously bestowed, and my
mind and body ;sympathizing with each
other in elasticity and lightness. i am
inclined to have very good opinion OF
my looks reflected in the glass and con-
slider the present fresh, rosy hue good
exchange for the old, sallow look. But
come with me and take bath, in i'm
agination at least, and see If it is not
well worth giving a good deal of pains
to enjoy. : II
We go down flight of stairs, open a
door to the right, and enter the Frigi-
darium, which, to translate to your un-
accustomed ears, means a nice, com
Portable room, filled with easy chairs,
and lined around with little curtained
apartments, which are dressing rooms,
| ten in number. You enter one of these
apartments, disrobe yourself OF your
attire, and take upon you the bath gar
ment. which is a single garment of Rect.
al ular shape and Turkey red hue,
known as ''Cummerbund. This is
tied artisticaly ovs1. the right shoulder,
passing under the left one, and descends
| about to the knee; thence you proceed
to the next room-the Tepidarium. AS
| YOU open the door the air within seems
! hot as an oven; but don't shrink back;
YOU have not reached the hottest place
| vet; and in moment or two the sensa-
ton is pleasant. You seat yourself on
softly-cushioned lounge, an attendant
vets your head In cold water, and wraps
| your forehead in wet towel, places a
| tub of warm water at your feet, and,
having immersed your feet therein, you
lay your head back, fold your hands, and
| begin to feel at peace with all the world,
and with the soft light from the stained
glass windows upon your eyes, feel as if
it would be the easiest thing in the
world to go to sleep.
Soon the perspiration begins to start,
and we are conducted by our attendant
from Injurious warmth to luxurious hot
ness, into what you learn to be the
'sSudatorium, meaning in free tran
station, the hot place. You are stretch
ed upon couch, sheet thrown over
you, and the air envelopes you like a
liquid element, warm, delicious ;and there
you lie till bathed in a profuse perspira-
ton, land you are wet with tears of sweat.
Then you are laid upon the shampooing
bench in the middle of the room, and
your limbs and body rubbed and knead-
ed till all the old skin is gone, and every
joint is limbered while pains and aches
flee to parts unknown. A sponge bath
of soap suds and shower bath, the
temperature gradually lessened from
warm to cool, brisk rubbing with
cotton sheet, and you go back to the
Tepidarium, cool little, then to the
FrIgidarium, where for the first time
you feel that it deserves its name, from
its contrast to the hot air you have been
in. But good, motherly, soft wooden
blanket keeps you warm, and you sit in
one of the easy chairs, till you feel ready
to go back to the every day world once
more fresh with vigor and life. II