Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24


IN not think I am over sensitive OF
faint of heart, but l grew to nave sucn
a terror of physical pain that my Ieso-
luton gave way, and / could not pear
10 have my wounds dressed. NO INT
could be made of such gossamer isht,
ness or oil of such smoothness De louhu
that l could endure. The idea or belhs
condemned to life in tub was odlous,
but it was that or death. MY hIsS
plunge so irritated my WOUNDS anu
nerves that l tainted, but gradually
became accustomed TO the water, anu
now its yielding softness seems IKE
Heaven in the freedom from pain, whlch
I sometimes happily enjoy for long IN
tervals. The inconvenience OF TINS
life in n tub seem greater than they
really are. 1t Is wonderful how man
can get used to anything. Sometimes
7 feel ready to die of ennui, but, God
willing. l shall be out of this In year,
as new skin is beginning TO grow, ana
some other poor people must live mere
until. as one did last month, they llte-
rally die in the tubs they have so long
inhabited"
AN ARDENT MUSICIAN.
Zolnay was an ardent musician. AS
student he had been a devoted pianist
but had also always played the VIOLIN
and since his immersion has been abe
to use his arms sufficiently TO take up
again his beloved violin. He, without
excuse. played several selections when
asked, one exquisite one, solemn ana
tender, from Mozart, and some Hunga-
dian music He played one waltz, ana
the German frau and one Of the other
pinoche players, German commercial
traveller, waltzed in sort OF porpoise
fashion, each in their separate tubs, 10
the great amusement Of every one.
At 1 o'clock in the afternoon luncheon
IS served 10 the bathers Their break
fasts, in most cases, are very light ce-
reals, with fruit figuring largely in the
simple menu. Those whose ills are not
incidental to the quality of the blood
enjoy coffee. The luncheon was more
imposing affair. Its menu comprised
about the dishes which might be served
at a good hotel, excepting that well de-
monstrated rules for hygeinic pabulum
were observed. The patients were unre-
stricted in their desires, excepting by the
dictum Of the doctors and the limits of
their private purses.
The tables were fiat boards, laid across
the tops Of the cipeular tubs. The
boards were neatly covered with white
oil-cloth Light sour wines were in
favor as a beverage. but these, in most
cases. were considerably diluted, and II
was noticeable that the patients were
inclined to drink good deal, 10 some
extent, as one is when in Turkish bath.
| one of the trifling incidents OF life. which
IL was demonstrated could be made I'M
usually annoying under peculiar circum-
stances. was, when a bather accidentally
knocked his salt-cellar into his tub. He
instantly disappeared beneath the sur
1 faca ond nufckiv recovered the bottle.
but most of the salt was in his tub in
solution. the water having entered the
perforations OF the salt-cellar's metal
| top.
| one Of the most inexplicable and in
| teresting phases OF tub-life TO the visitor
| is the sleeping of the patients. Great
| heavens" said an American girl visitor,
| who was almost startled out of her pro-
priety when this matter was referred 10.
| II didn't suppose for a moment that
| they slept in there, too
| But they do. The faculty OF going 10
! sleep in the water Is not inherent with
| humanity. 1t can be acquired. the
novice, when he tries It, Is for several
| nights a victim 10 wearisome insomni2'
| but at last tired nature acknowledges
| her need of the sweet restorer, and the
| new bather succumbs. only to be sud
| denly startled out Of his sleep by his
| head turning little and the water touch
Ing his mouth.
The story has been printed that Ben
iamin Franklin who, In his youth, was
| fond Of natatorial sports, and accustomed
| TO floating a great deal on his back, once
| fen asleep on the surface OF still water,
| and so remained for perhaps an hour.
| Many constant bathers know that they
can easily reach the point OF falling