Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-07-25
RAIN BATHS FOR CHILDREN.
Eight Hundred New York Urchins Can BE
Bathed Here la Eight Hours

Eight Hundred New York Urchins Can BE
Bathed Here la Eight Hours
At the New York juvenile asylum
the problem of expeditions, thorough
and sanitary bathing of the one thou
sand inmates has been solved at COM
paratfvely small expense. The plan 10
adapted only to institutions, but con-
tains many suggestions for the con-
struction of the free-public-all-the-
year-round hot and cold water baths
which are to be erected under author
yy OF the law by the city authorities
IN such sections as may be designated
10y the board of health.
The old-time system OF bathing
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 not actually free, a nominal charge
of five cents being made for soap and
towel. Individual bathing compart-
ments are the rule in these.
There are eight hundred boys and
two hundred girls in the juvenile asy-
lum.T There are children of the streets,
chronic truants from the public
schools. incorrigibles and proteges of
the Gerry society. The discipline Of
the institution is admirable in all the
educational and industrial depart
nents, and the average health of the
inma ties is frequently commented upon.
The number of baths taken by each
pupil is regulated by the seasons. In
the summer time there are daily ablu-
tions.
The rain bath" is located at the
end of large hall. sixty by one hum
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 entering
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 be 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 a 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 a
cake of soap They enter the paved
space and stand at equal distances, not
directly under the nozzles, but in such
manner that the streams from two of
them strike the body. The 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 boys additions.
In eight minutes the bath is over
and the water is turned off. Then the
of course, constantly drained. Each
surrepders his bar of soap and receives
a towel, returns to post in front Of
his locker and at signal begins
the work of vigorously drying
himself. Then clothing put of is
resumed, or if 1t 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 one
another.
Eight hundred boys can nder this
plan be bathed in eighty minutes. al
though the time consumed is generally
extended to two hours. The same sys-
tenn is followed with the girls in the
presence of the matron and female at
tendants.
Under the rain or shower system the
best results are obtainable from what
ever point of view the matter is con-
sidered. A minimum of water is used
and a maximum result achieved, a not
inconsiderable item in many locations.
The plan especially recommends itself
to institutions that are not near an in
exhaustible supply of running water,
such as New York city is blessed with.
There is no possibility of communicate
ing ophthalmic or skin diseases under
this plan and the ablution is thorough.
IN. Y. World.
Saved by His Horses Fright.
When the hunter is hunted there is
more excitement than fun. A traveller
in southeastern Africa, while hunting
buffalo, suddenly came upon an en-