Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-05-08
PUBLIC BATHS.
7 he Great want of the Tlmes-SOme-
thing new fer MemPnis-A Hint
10 the City Fathers.
Women a. Well as Men Should Learn TO
sWfU-A Great Sanitary AEes-
sure Proposed.

masmuch as the Memphis waterworks
are now in successful operation, il We're
not inappropriate to discuss the subject
of the city constructing free baths for
the use Of the people. All recognize the
value 0f cleanliness, and for this end
alone a swimming bath would prove &C
ceptable 10 our citizens. Annually many
lives are lost in the river, and often boys
from bathing in an unhealthy pool fall
victims to deadly disease. IL other
cities swimming-baths are recognized as
a most desirable and salutary means by
the boards of health, and much atten-
zion is given them
In addition to the opportunity afforded
chilaaeE, and even girls, TO learn to
swim. the exercise is, perhaps, the most
healthy Of the many in which the
young engage. Speaking of the popular
favor in which such baths are held, the
New York Times, October I, 1872, says:
4" The month Of September, especially
the latter part thereof, was 50 chilly thai
ihe boys who bathe in the summer time
from the river piers abandoned their
primitive sport. At the public bath
houses, however, the number of persons
vino bathed was enormous. No less
than ninety-one thousand and twenty
six persons prOfted by the opportunities
Offered by our two public baths, and Of
this ninety-one thousand and twenty-six
we are informed by the department of
pu6lic works that eighteen thousand one
hundred and thirty eight were females
by which term it is pTesumable that
women are meant. When it is Temem-
bered that few women have been ac-
custOmed to a swimming-bath, aud that |
To very many the idea ofusing a crowded |
H-.s - .vf .
must be conceded that the September /
record Of the bath-houses speaks well /
for the women Of this city, aud gives US /
reason to hope the day when a woman |
viii consider it disgraceful not to be able |
10 swim is not far distant"
The cost Of constructing a swimming 4
bath i'm this city would not amount to 4
more than five thousand dollars, and 4
who doubts the feasibility of the matter /
Some time ago an enterprising physi- |
clan Of Memphis sgitated the subject Of
swimming baths and solicited subscrip- |
tions for that purpose. Although his /
plan was TO erect a costly bath on the /
Turkish style, vet so favorably did our
citizens view the subject that the sum Of
twenty thousand dollars was subscribed.
Owing TO the i'll health Of the gentleman
conducting the enterprise, he was COM
PEELED to leave the city, and for want Of
interest no other steps have been taken
t. insure the accomplishment of what
be inaBgurated. The many eligible
localities Memphis has for such pur-
poses, render the construction Of
swimming-b baths an easy task. The
basin can be formed by digging-say
three feet-and then raising an en-
hankment from the earth excayated.
n.r.ae nd lr1 -
with small c0bble-stones, and "pitched"
if need be. Perhaps a cheaper plan
would be to line the banks with tin or
sheet-iTon, and using cement for secur-
ing a water-tight bottom. The four
sides Of the pool would be enclosed with
high sheds, the roof sl0ping slightly in
ward. Under this would be a floor,
benches, steps, pegs on which to hang
clothes. and all the necessary fixtures.
The next question is the best mode for
securing the erection of fswimmiDg- baths.
We think that of subscription the most
feasible, for al Of our citizens are inter
ested IN everything that tends to the
good Of Memphis, or is conducive Of
health 10 our people. Should steps be
taken IN this matter, we are confident
some wealthy gentleman viii aid II ma
terially. When once public swimming
bath Is constructed, our people VIII De
eager to have others, 50 that in time {
every public school building in Mem ,
Eillis viii afford one.
Cincinnati is now agitating the estab-
Iislment Of swimming baths, and Mem Z
phis, noted for its enterprise and /
bolsteTed by proud prosperity, |
should also begin the matter. FREE I
queBt complaint is made that I
Memphis is unhealthy; therefore, like [
New Orleans, our city does not invite as
many visitors as her greatness and COM :
meTcial importance demand. Anything I
10 couDterbalancea an influence 50 unjust,
vet strong, would be hailed with delight
We know Of no plan by which to neu-
.ralize detrimental prejudices that rumor '
spreads, than to show the public that c
We guard against all diseases by the 7
measures other cities '
lave adopted When it is shown }
that Memphis, in her public sanitary 1
keeps pace with the older I
3nd larger cities, then we offer induce
neUts for visitors and at the same time
lur advantages, resources and greatness i
become known and appreciated Will 4
not some one look after this matter and :
naugurate the steps requisite for the ae- 7
Of what would be Of such 4
advantage and benefit to Mem phis. Il
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