Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-02-02
The Turkish Bath.

There are very few persons who have
correct ideas of the Turkish Bath, its
nooduS oper0ndi, or its effects in curing dis
ease, and maintaining the human system
| in healthy condition. In fact it NAV be
! said there are very few who have ana idea
of it whatever. And now that it is recog-
nized by many of the most distinguished
medical men of Great Britain, where, in
its modified and improved form, it has
! been in operation for a dozen years, as the
most potent remedial Ggent knoaor,, it is well
that the people Of our own country should
| know more about it, especially as so great
a number are suffering from various chronic
diseases, incident either to our climate, or
our unnatural modes of living in the al
most total disregard of the laws of hygiene.
| First, then, the Turkish Bath is not the
Russian Bath, nor any other form of Vapor
Bath. Such baths, although often beneficial,
do not realize the highest results of the aL-
| pl1cation of heat in the cure of disease.
The true thermae is a hot air bath, as free
from all moisture as it is possible to make it.
The Turks fail of securing this result, on
account of the imperfect method of con-
structing their baths, allowing as they do
the water used in champooing, to run over
the hot floors and thus filling their rooms
with vapor. We speak of the improved
baths of Great Britain and America, be-
cause this is all remedied by improved
methods of heating and champooing, and
thus making as dry an atmosphere as pos.
s BILE.
The modus operandi in the use of the bath
is as follows: After disrobing you enter a
room, the tepiddgiom, heated to temper
ature OF 1909 to 130 Q, and seated, with
the feet IN a basin of hot water, remain un-
til persplration commences, taking occa-
Slonal draughts OF cold water. Passing into
an adjoining room, the cdlidGruna, at a tenn
perature of 1909 and upwards, lounge
awaits you, reclining upon which you re-
main until thorough perspiration ensues,
more so, perhaps, than you ever realized in
all your life. You are now prepared for the
cbnrnpOOing process. An attendant, after
placing yourself upon marble slab, rubs
with the bare hand, every portion
OF the body, manipulating, especially,
any diseased part, after which, soap and
water are applied with the hair mitten, re-
moving very effectually all the effete mat
ter which nothing but eGcessiUe perspiration
would have thrown out OF the pores, max
ing you, in all probability, cleaner man
than ever before. Now, standing erect, the
spray is applied, at first tepid, but gradu-
ally colder, until at last it is perfectly
cold. Then being wiped dry, you ente1
the fr1gIdaT5oun or cooling room, where,
seated or reclining, you remain until per
tectly cool and dry, (and in fact. the sensa-
tlons are so delightful, would gladly pro-
lcng your stay, and are then prepared tc
dress and enter the F'outer world, !" fortified
against any change OF temperature you
nay have to endure, and invigorated fol
the active duties of life.
IWhat is the effect of all this upon the
system, and why is it? Submitting the
surface of the body to an intense dry heat,
nature comes to its relief by thorough per-
Spirdtion this comes from the blood, and
consequently there is a constant demand
for blood at the surface-releving at once
congestion OF any organ, and bringing
along with 1t any poisonous matter anC
worn out material, and ejecting it from the
millions OF pores now opened-and thus
dong thoroughly in a simple. natural way
what no drugs can possibly accomplish
ana without any unpleasant results. Tc
sum up, IN few words, the effect of the
Turkish Baths, it may be said, that in con
sequence of these simple physiological eff
tects, the circulatian is equalized, all con
gestlon removed, nutrition distributed more
, thoroughly, and all the secretions whethe,
OF the skin, the liver, or the kidneys arr
restored to their normal action, and thu
! Whoie system lnvigorated.