The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-04-23
Public Baths.

1t is somewhat strange that, among the
many plans which have been considered and
discussed for improving the sanitary condition
of the people of Richmond, no attention has
been called to the importance OF instltutIng
public baths, which shall BE- free of all charge,
and where bathing may be practiced continu-
ally without offence to either morality or de-
cency.
Cleanliness is always held TO be next TO god.
illness: and if we desire the meas S"a1 IN cor
,,ore saao, we cannot better serve our desires
than by bathing frequently Tubs and baths
al home are comparatively of but little value.
What is wanted is the free plunging and splash
ing In the eyer.changing waters of the river.
The James affords ample scope for n free in
diligence of our wishes, but although the
bathing must be- public in fact, the baths must
be enclosed from the shore 10 protect them
from unnecessary observation. The expense
of a plain lumber fence would be- but tri1ing,
and the amount of good which ii would pro-
duce could not well be oycr-cstimated.
In Boston, the city authorities have taken the
matter in hand, and saltwater baths for the
use of the citizens will shortly be opened. In
other cities III the North SIMILAR propositions
have been made, and in Baltimore the Com
mon Council have passed resolution direct
ing the Committee on Health TO inquire into
the propriety of procuring suitable place or
building, 10 be fitted and used rs 4 public
bathing place.
Our Northern brethren are not slow TO seize
advantages, whatever they may be, and
wherever they may find them, and the clcanlI-
ness which they are not willing 10 adopt in
manner and speech, they do not object 10 as n
| mere abstract physiological question. That
which is essential and necessary for them IS
equally essential and necessary for us, and
we must not fear TO follow Northern precepts,
when by some strange contrariety or accident
they advise such measures rs no one can carp
ut or condemn.
The City Council should consider At once
the question of bathing. We do not expect
that they will be able TO build n handsome
house, fitted up with all the elaborate mdteria
of an European bath, but we have the river
near us, with its ever changing current, where
a space may be marked of for bathing, under
proper regulations, and 1T 4 trivial cost 10 the
city. Such of our citizens as are well en-
bowed with this worlds goods and greenbaCks
may pooh pooh the idea, but we assure
them that it is from the poorer and middle
classes of the community that disease and
death may be expected TO arise, and that this
bathing is of vital moment 20 those who cannot
indulge in frequent additions at home. If
they cannot have mercy for others, let our
maghates have mercy for themselves! Let
them be energetic and active; let them go to
work at once ; and they may rest assured that
besides doing great deal of good TO keep off
the cholera, they will materially aid the
police,-for the man whose circulation is per.
fectly free, and whose epiderms is clear of all
impurities, is not halt as likely to practice a
little garrotmg or house breaking as those who,
careless and uncared for, live for years with
out knowing the meaning..of the word Bath.
There is no question of policy or expediency
in this case TO which any one can take excep
ton! 1t is clear plain, and reasonable; and
if the City Council will but adopt our sugges-
, tons, they will have conferred an inestimable
benefit upon the most meritorious and necessi-
tous of our citizens.