The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-07-23
PUBLIC BATHS.
Tho Japanese People tho Cicanest In the.

Tho Japanese People tho Clcanest In the
l.a.ts World. ti,
Nearly all American and European
visitors TO Japan speak with admira-
ton OF the public baths OF that
country. IN the city OF Toxic. there
are between 800 ard 900 public bath
ing establishments each frequented
by ut least 800 people, who pay for
the privilege an extremely small sum
$50 small that no one is too poor to-
afford It Outside OF these baths the.
Japanese are much given to bathing
In their own houses They are one.
OF the cleanest people In the world.
Travellers from the western world fire.
quently express their regret In de-
scribing these Japanese baths, that
the progressive people OF Europe and
America have no such establishments
Our; American cities indeed are for
the most part blessed with public
baths which are open In the summer.
but they have none. or practically
none which are warmed and opened
in winter like those OF Japan.
In many parts OF Europe indeed.
bathing Is almost unknown. People
who are supposed to be civilized and
even enlightened 60 from infancy to
the grave. through long life. With
out a single through-going bath ALI
over"
They did not derive this uncleanly
custom from their ancestors OF the
ancient world. The Roman Empire
throughout almost its entire extent
was world OF magnificent and uni
versally patronized public baths
The abandonment OF bathing was
In curious way. the result OF the tri-
umph OF the Christian religion. though
Christianity itself certainly could
never be accused of uncleanlincss-
Proper care OF the body. as the tenn
pie OF the Holy Ghost" is enjoined by
the Christian scriptures
In the Imperial reigns which mark
ed the decline OF Rome the public
baths which in former years ha6
been sources OF national strength DO,
came. on the contrary. sources OF cor
ruption and cause of the decadence
OF the people. A useful institution
had been subjected to great abuses.
In these baths the Romans OF that
degenerating age spent great por-
ton OF their time They bathed in
warm and perfumed water. and Sc
softened and weakened themselves by
continual indulgence in this luxury
that they not only became incapable
OF resistance to their tyrants but be-
came an easy prey to bodily vices and
sicknesses ~,
The early Christians who led
severe and virtuous life. regarded
public baths with horror. With the
triumph OF the new religion these
sources OF corruption were prescribed.
But the reaction against the abuse
Of the public baths went too far. No,
only were the baths abandoned. but
bathing as well. The French histo-
rian, Michelet calls the Middle Age.
"a thousand years without bath.
p The days OF chivalry were not days
OF personal cleanliness. Many famou.
knights and kings were so untidy in
their habits that they created remark.
even in those days. The magnificent
courtiers and great ladies' who sur.
rounded Henry Nv. and Louis XIV. OF
France hardly washed their hands
and faces though they ate their food
with their fingers.
The duke OF Orleans. the famous
regent during the minority OF Louis
Nv, was the first to introduce clean.
ly manners in the French court. then
the center Of the worlds politeness.
II personal cleanliness was at that
time almost unknown at court the
appearance OF the people may perhaps
be dimly coniectured.
That long period was time OF ter
rible epidemics. Mysterious plaques
feeding. no doubt upon the filth OF
the towns swept away myriads oil
people
A comparative freedom from cpl.
denies has resulted from the growth
OF more clearly habits and the in.
creased knowledge OF sanitary modes
of living. states the Youths Compan.
ion. Public baths beyond all doubt
are conducive to public health.