The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-09
AK And ITS BATHS.
The Fayorite Resort of Rheumatic Ameri-
cans.

do not play with edged tools" The
waters of AK les Bains. in France, are
edged tools, and if the treatment is
taken with discretion and under proper
advice the risk of harm is reduced to n
minimum in all cases, and the prOba-
bility of alienation, if not Of absolute
cure is n thousand to one iii favor of
the waters.
There are, Of course, simple swimming
baths and private "bains simples," as
they are called, which would not hurt Il
child. and may be taken as Il refreshing
pastime To the latter is often added
u bag of oatmeal supposed by the Pa
risian beauties to give renewed youth
and delicacy TO the complexion, and adj
ditional softress to the already soft
water.
The use of oatmeal is as old in Eng
land as the early part ot George Ill. $
reign, and is mentioned in old journals
as wasteful luxury during the war
when all corn was at famine prices.
The baths in AK are divided into nu-
merous classes in various corridors, and
the patient can be pumped on with great
force and great heat or showered gently,
or needed. or yaporized. by DR.. Ber-
tholet's system, either zen grOs' or en-
detail For severe cases the whole body
is parbOled: for local pain and so forth,
the hand or foot only. Besides the
douches there are almost endless varie-
ties of local application for ailments of
the throat, vocal organs, eyes, nose and
ears.
For the latter details the patient is
sent to the pretty little establishment
at Marioz, a sort of toy duplicate of
AK, in pretty gardens, about one mile
r ,f.h srtx
welcome shade from sun or shower,
and naturally there is the ever-ready
omnibus. for. as it is truly said the
visitor Mt AK is consulted and spoiled
from the moment he sets foot in the
place" 1t is the abode of whims and
fancies. and there is none of the take
care of yourself" hardy treatment
which prevails in our own Northern
bathing places.
There is an ample supply of doctors,
who peryade the steps and entrance hall
Of the establishment from I to II, and
the scene is busy and comic. The Roman
frch and the magnolia trees, the flower
stalls and newspaper kiosks share atten-
ton with the doctors and patients. the
former known at once by top hats, black
clothes. even on the hottest day, and the
invariable decoration mt the buttOn-hole.
The patients and doctors hold consulta-
ton in groups. One shows a hand
cramped or swollen: another puts out
her tongue; third is lame, and so on.
A frank absence of shyness prevails,
and the costumes pour aller aux bains"
must be seen TO be appreciated.
le gods what rights the women are,
huddled in cloaks or peignoirs, with
woollen shawls or lace mantillas over
wigless heads. and truth TO say. the men
look only a shade less ugly, end have
less sargfrOid.
The servants run backward and for
ward with a roll Of blankets or the whole
OF a gentleman's or lady's wearing ap-
parel dexterOusly piled on the arm. All
are busy and intent or the daily routine.
and for mornings amusement commend
me 10 the baths at AK.
Foremost in the throng, here, there.
everywhere, seized upon by three or four
eager ladies at once, giving word to
one. a word 10 another, nobody is 50
busy or so sought after as the popular
Dr. b. (the King of Ak, whose sweet
temper and caressing manners make him
the idol of his patients. He reminds one
OF Figaro, and should sing:
Figaro biz Figaro 10!
Just Ike shuttlecock tossed 10 and fro.
Between lovers and customers flying, gol