Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-03-27
A TURKISH BATH.

l am almost ashamed to say, considering
how long Turkish baths have been or insti-
tuition in this country, that my experience
Of them only dates back to about fortnight
ago, when having involuntarily takena cold,
some one suggested that had better volun.
tarily take Turkish bath to cure it.
No osooner was the idea firmly fixed in my
mind, than resolved to execute it, notwith-
standing very serious doubts as to how I
should like the operation.
My friend had urged me to be at the prop.
or place at 10 A. NJ, sharp, from ten to
twelve being the hours devoted to ladies' end,
as the process occupies nearly the tw ahours,
only one batch can be provided for Ia one
morning.
The term "batch" will not seem inappli.
cable to any Of my readers who have ever
enjoyed the delights of the Turkish bath
In the low dark heated room, into which
one is ushcrcd, after disrobing and being
cnvcloped in sheet, the rows of women
seated in low wicker chairs look like nothing
so much as lines of tall white loves, in a brick
oven.
1t would seem at the outset asif this must
be rather dismal proceeding, but it did not
prove to be SO. The hot air is not feltas op-
pressive, because the top Of the head is kept
covered with thick cloth, dipped every few
moments in cold water.
Al, 4. n.... Z
strike all the women as great joke they
are more sociablc, and get etbetteracquainted,
than they would at a watering place, or ra-
ther at any other watering place, in three
years. There are neither good looks nor
nice clothes to be jealous of, for, in the twi
light of the place, wrapped in thin sheets,
and compelled to absorb heat, until the per.
spiration runs down in streams, everybody
looks alike, and the natural amiability and
humor of the sex break out in all sorts of
drollerics and funny speeches.
The principal wit on the occasion was also
the greatest subject of our mirth. She was
a very fat woman, with an enormous water.
fall, which she had obstinately refused to
take off, and, in one of her fits of laughter,
insensibly sliding down upon her chair, her
waterfall had pressed through the wicker.
work, and all her efforts were vain to release
it. There were difficulties in the way of any
Of the ladies assisting her, so she had to re-
main in her predicamcnl until an attendant
came and relieved her.
These attendants, by the way, are not Or
dinary servants, but female medical stu
dents One was very nice looking, with
figure which was universally admired, and
which, shortly afterwards, to my gteat aston
ishment, was abundant!y displayed in sim
gle gladiatorial sort of tunic, Of scarlet fan
nel Talk of the "Black Crook the
"French Spy" and other halfdressed sem
sations, they will not any Of them compare
with that scarlet tunic, which left one arm
bare, and was draped low over the other
shoulder
This picturesque costume was adopted for
the purposes Of convenience and utility, in
transferring the patients to the scrubbing
and showering room, where they are taken
one at time, laid on marble slab, lah,ered
literally with fine soap anu war;. water.
rubbed and kncaded, mtilyou feel that, if
you were turkey you would be in a fine
condition for boning.
Then, in an instant, You are set bolt up
right, and stream Of tepid water, which
however, gradually gets colder, is turned
upon you, until you cry enough. There is
cold plunge bath after that, for tlrose who
are courageous enough to try it, and then
there is warm dry sheet, dry towels, and
the Venus in the scarlet tunic to assist in
restoring you to consciousness and comfort
Then there is heaven of soft warm blan-
kets and an easy chair, one which you would
like to keep po session of and dreamin, but,
unfortunately either the supply Of Blankets
or easy chairs, or both, was limited and my
delicious embryo nap was disturbed by the
fat lady Of the waterfall, whose turn it was
after mine. With the single regret that I
did not achieve mynap, unu { circumstances
that can never occur in a lifetime, the
remembrance Of my Turkish bath is source
of unalloyed pleasure. Mycold disappeared
as if by magic in fact, forgot all about it
until got home, and found nauseous mix
ture which some god soul had sentme, who
does not believe in purgatory, and thinks
we ought to take all our punishment in this
world.
Undoubtedly, the Turkish bath is the in-
est remedial agent in the world for colds, te-
vers, eruptions and skin diseases 1t is
moreover, so positive luxury, that one
would almost be willing to be sick, for the
sake of getting we'll by such means. The
only drawback is haste in leaving, nice
nap in the blankets ought to be part Of the
regular programme, and then cup Of Turk.
sh coffee or Chinese TIA to finish of with.
This would make the Turkish batha glimpse
of Paradise.
pJ. Education does not alone consist in
the knowledge Of science and books. There
is an education Of the heart, which is essen
tial to our well being, as the most eruditc