The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-07-20
RAIN BATHS FOR cA,LoReN.
Eight Hundred New York urchins Can IBc
Bathed Here la Eight Hours

Eight Hundred New York u~chins Can Be
Bathed Here In Eight Hours
Al the New York Juvenile asylum
the problem Of expeditions, thorough
and sanitary bathing Of the one thou
sand inmates has been solved ut COM
paratively small expense. The plan Is
adapted only TO institutions, but con-
tains many suggestions for the con-
struction of the frcc-public-all-the-
year-round hot and cold water baths
which are to be erected under author
ity of the law by the city authorities
In such sections as may be designated
by the board of health.
The old-time system of bathing
large numbers of men or women or
children in tank has been found to
be Objectionable from sanitary
standpoint. In fact there have been
instances where diseases have become
epidemic in institutions in consequence
of tnat plan The shower or rain bath
system is in force In the several lower
east and west side establishments
which are maintained by charity, but
are MOB actually free, nominal charge
of five cents being made for soap and
towel. Individual bathing compart-
mcnts are the rule in these
There are eight hundred boys and
two hundred girls in the Juvenile asy-
lum. There are children of the streets,
chronic truants from the public
schools, incorrigiblcs and protcgcs of
the Gerry society. The discipline of
the institution is admirable in ali the
educational and industrial depart
ments. and the average health of the
inmates Is frequently commented upon.
The number of baths taken by each
pupil Is regulated by the seasons In
the summer time there are daily abiu-
tions.
The ''rain bath" is located ut the
end of a large hall. sixty by ono hun
dred and twenty feet, and the actual
area of the bathing space is eighteen
by forty. the brick paved floor of the
bath is sunk two feet below the
level of the floor. Two large
supply pipes, one containing hot.
the other cold water, are joined so
that the water may be given the
proper temperature before entoring
the network of service pipes, which
are suspended below the ceiling
There are one hundred and ninety
two nozzles, each of which distributes
the water in coarse spray. Two hun
dred boys can he thoroughly bathed
every twenty minutes
A reporter witnessed the process
Along the walls of the room is ar
ranged series Of lockers, one for
each boy, who has number. In this
his Sunday clothing is hung. a relay
of one hundred boys marches into the
large room and each halts>-before his
locker. The attendant claps his hands
and the lockers are opened An
other signal and the boys
quickly disrobe. Another and they
form into an orderly double
line. Then they march toward the
bath An attendant gives each boy
cake of soap They enter the paved
space and stand stequal distances, not
directly under the nozzlcs. bat in such
manner that the streams from two OF
them strike the body. Tho tempera-
ture OF the water, controlled by the en-
gineer, having been previously tested,
the water Is turned on and the boys
begin to use the soap washing the
hair first There is no disorder or
noise other than the suffering sounds
that always attend a boys additions
In eight minutes the bath is over
and the water Is turned off. Then the
boys march out of the tub, which is,
Of course, constantly drained. Each
sure nders his bar of soap and receives
towel, returns TO a post in front of
his locker and ut signal begins
the work of vigorously drying
himself. Then clothing pat Off is
resumed. or II it be Sunday or
holiday the best suit is put
on. In the meanwhile a second relay
Of boys has entered the room and gone
through the same routine. Before the
first boys have donned their clothing
and are ready to march out the others
are beneath the shower and are vigor-
ously scrubbing themselves and ono
another.
Eight hundred boys can nder this
plan DO bathed Ia eighty minutes, al
though the time consumed is generally
extended to two hours. The same sys-
TEN Is followed with the girls in the,
presence Of the gnatron and female at
tepdants
Under tho rain or shower system the
best results arc obtainable from what
ever point of view the matter Is con-
sidcred A minimum OF water Is used
and maximum result achieved, u not
tpconsiderabie tom In many locations
Il 4 l. Ia n
TO Institutions THAI are not near en- in
exhaustible supply Of running water,
such as New York city is blessed with
There Is no possibility Of communicat-
ing ophthalmio or skin diseases under
this plan and tho abiution is thorough.
IN. Y. World
Saved by His Horses fright
When the hunter is hunted there b
more excitement than fun A traveller
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