The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-24
THE HUMMAM.
Travels and Adventures Of q HOt-Air
Bather All Over Europe.
What He Saw and Suffered and Epjoyed-Ruins
Of the Ancient and the Working OPP
erations OF Modern Baths.

turkish or hot air baths, have largely engaged my
attention from The earliest period OF their introduce.
sion into this country. Hearing and reading con-
nictlng accounts of their administration and con-
structon in the East gave me desire to personally
inform myself with regard to their administration.
With tnis object left New York on the 1st OF
July last. Landing at Queenstown nine days alter
wards we assembled the River Lee to the city OF
Cork. We reached Cork at noon, and after driving
about the city and seeing the principal objects OF
interest, we rode to ST. AIMS Ill., SIX miles distant,
FIRST ROMAN BATH IN THE BRITISH ISLES.
st. AIMS Hill IL o lovely spot, situated In full
view OF the Groves OF Barney. and near the famous
Barney Caste, ana Is point OF peculiar interest,
from the fact that here the Roman bath was first
established IN the British Isle, where it had exist
ence nearly two thousand years before, when the
country was possessed by the Romans.
MODERN EXPERIMENT..
DR.. Richard Benter assisted by David Urquhart,
was the first to develop TO the residents The thera
peutc advantages OF not air on an extended scale.
Dr. Benter had tested the virtues Of hydropatny
and had found them real and tangible, but when he
found hot air he had changed In the treatment OF
acute difficulties from the post horn 10 the cleo trio
telegraph, and in the treatment OF chronic condi-
tons from the stage coach to the locomotive.
What hydropathy would require several days to
accomplish In acute difficulties may often be accom-.
plished by hot air in single bath, and In chrome
conditions, where hydropathy would take many
months, as much may be usually effected in as
many weeks.
II the success Of hot All as a therapeutic agent
may be measured by acres. tract of land scarcely
less than Central Park in extent. with hills and
groves and streams or running water with o COM
plete village OF Turkish baths and succession OF
sanitary structures, we may say that here Is most
potent agent which, In one spot &C least has come
IN some sort to be appreciated.
PAST AND PRESENT.
We saw the first rude BATH now little better than
ruin, and here in three successive structures
be traced progress step by step until you find q
building Of generous proportions towering like a
browning excellence, and leaving those who have
Been nothing better to suppose that here lutte Is
left TO achieve in hot air architecture.
Notwithstanding the destinations OF the place we
could remain but a few days only. during which we
saw several chronic conditions IN various stages OF
convalescence. One well known American had
taken sixty baths In thirty days and had gained
pounds In weight. Two baths u day Is common to
large number OF VISITORS.
Dublin. Here we found two quite large establish
ments which exhibled unmistakable signs OF pros
perity.
From Dublin we went TO London, and lost no
time In fnding the Hummam, IN Jernyn street.
This establishment has been constructed somewhat
upon the Turkish models. Yet some or the fea.
lures OF the Roman baths have been introduced.
In regard TO the Hummam must confess 10 con.
Ederabe disappointment. 1t is not 50 nigh, so vast
IN It's proportions extended IN It's appoint
ments as mad been led TO suppose, the dressing
100 much exposed. The COOLING room admits OF
adequate ventilation and TINS IS true OF the trst
the expense OF 100 low temperature-not much
little provision Tor ventilation, ana Jhe neat
has smell oil coke, which Is by no means agree
Able. the hottest room Is little better than a DUN
WAnn "a n Enn
rather as an advertisement than Tor use. This es-
adjustment has other faults, which need not be
enumerated. II Is, however, altogether the best
bath IN London, and financially has zen a success,
while IL mas conferred benefits physically, men,
tally anu morally which cannot be estimated.
OTHER LONDON BATHS.
Next TO this in Importance Is the bathing estab-
tishment near London Bridge, ana, aside from It's
yubterranean features, has many merits. There are
In London at least haif dozen other Turkish baths
or more moderate preLens0ns, Which are no doubt
dong good service IN the cause OF physical regen-
grafton. One Is situated IN Newington Butts, near
which, If ne batned, he would be saved much suffer
ing from chronic govt.
PARIS.
After seeing London and It's enylrons pretty tho
roughly went to Paris, winch, notM outstanding
LIS despoiied condition, has no equal In the multi
pllcty OF It's attractions. IL IS rather surprising,
however, that PARIS, rich In ART III luxury, In
SCIENCE should have been SO long wltaout not air
bathing establishment.
we visited several hydropathic establishments,
which exhibited unmlstakabe signs OF prosperity.
me late Emperor has been greatly benefited by
this mode of treatment which has doubtless MAJ
tendency 10 popuiarize hydropathy In France. We
visited the quite large establishment near the Arc
de lriomphe, which Is provided with large pond,
over which q crane has been constructed. The In
valid IS placed Ia chair, swung over the water and
let down mic the aqueous element, thus bringing
relief class Of invalds that hard to benefit
by ordinary measures. Moored in the seine, near
the Bridge Of Concord, which crosses near the Tuil
cries, Is frigate, which III itself Is quire com
plete sanJarium. IL mas not and cold, fresh and
salt wafer baths, vapOr and indicated baths NEIL
cal gymnastics and the French system OF massage,
winch mas OF late become very popular. 1t mas also
o restaurant.
PARIS TO MUNICH.
From Paris we went TO Geneva, and charming
sail OF nour took US to Evian, which in conse-
quence or It's mineral springs and Datnlng advan-
tages mas become quite % resort Tor invaiids.
VIENNA.
BY way OF Munich we proceeded to Vienna.
Vienna is yet without not ar bathing establish
ment q want which we trust Will sooner or later be
supplied. We would have remained longer but
towards pleasant weather. Leaving Vienna oy rail
we reached Pesth, the capital OF Hungary, the same
evening. Here we were detained from Friday unlil
Monday, as the boats descending the DANUBE run
only twice week.
Is Buda or 0fren. Crossing TINS bridge you arrive
ut the foot OF nigh blum, winch quite precipItous
on DOtn sides, ana when mas been tunneed.
MORE ROMAN BATHS.
The blum extends IN westerly direction half
mile or more aud at It's terminus near The banks OF
the Danube are several Roman baths, which are
quite remarkable for their architecture and their
antiquity They are handsomely and sKilfully con-
Btructed, being octagona III form, with marble seals
against tie walls WIN q pond III the centre, over
winch are high aud capacious domes, pierced win
numerous lights. The air IN these Baths Ia sniil-
cienty rared by the natural heat OF the waters as
they gush not rom beneath the bluffs. In two OF
them we saw men, women and children bathing at
the same time IN the same pool and using COM
mon dressing room, aud deporIlng themselves with
as much apparent gravity Us II thev were Worship
ping at church. These baths, however, are confined
10 the lower orders. They are owned by
the government, aud 1t Only requires few
kreuJZers to indulge In this refreshing luxury
sum not exceeding SIX OF our pennies Al one OF
them was informed by The attendant IN charge
that they had some occasions received rs many
rs three thousand bathers per day. There other
baths more Enormously appointed, with separate
apartments Tor ladies' On the easteriy slide OF the
palace there Is q very popular batnng establish
mcnt, having gymnastics associated with bathing
TWO large swimming paths, one Of which Is Kept
exclusively Tor LADIES' Attached 10 tins establish
ment are extensive mineral baths, with hotel ac-
cOmmodatlons, and with large grounds ana extern