The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-07
BATHTUBS AND PROGRESS.
oITILIEATION,s ONWARD MAR0H
SHOWN By PLUMBERS STATISTICS.
For One Bnthtub That Was Made Fifty
Years Ago thousands Arc Made NOV
Bathtubs All Over the East Side-A Fold
tnr Rothtnh Constructed for Flats.

ANnNuu al v
inc Rnthtub Constructed for Flats.
A plumber's account books furnish the best
e~tatistics by which to reckon the onward march
of civilization. For reasons easily understood
by any one who pays plumbers bills the ac-
count books are not open to the public ana 80
political economists resort to the testimonyo
schools and charitable organizations; but Zone
could know the exact ratio at which bathtupS
multiply in New York. one could tell the pace
at which the city is approaching cleanliness
and consequent godliness.
The plumbers are very encouraging whom one
talks with them about bathtubs. II q man 10
downhearted and discouraged about society,
and inclined to think that Darwin's DescenS
OF Man" is q "looking-Rlass' theory. and must
be read backward, with the ape as the ultt-
mate outcome Of the species. let him go toe
thrifty and Intelligent plumber and hear about
the universal crying demand for bathtubs. 10
will awaken hope in his breast and encourage
him to believe that, after all. the human race
may turn out we'll.
There was a time when, in this city. the bath
tub was a hot-house flower. flourishing only in
uptown regions. Now It blossoms out in Essex
and Suffolk streets. and flats without a bath
won't go on Rivington street. The appearance
OF tho population in the streets don't bear out
this botanical statement, but the word OF a suo-
cessful plumber backs it up. and every one
AHbWo INV tiup SiioN i' ~ SNh't
insists that copper, or even stcel-clad tubs. are
not popular in the tenement districts; and that
the new houses all have .porcelain-lined tubs
That statement was hard to believe until he ex-
planned that a defective porcelain-lined tub 10
worth less in the market than q good steel-clad
tub; but 1t makes n better show and wears well
enough, 80 the contractors take the defective
stock off the hands Of the wholesale dealer and
put the tubs into the new tenements and fats.
The old copper tub has been relegated to
limbo. 1t required inclosed plumbings and .
wooden box to keep 1t in shape, and. conse-
ouentiy. was hopelessly insanitary. With the
days of open plum ping came IN the steel clad
pensive of the good tubs. Even it is con-
de y nee by sanitary nrbnTys enthusiasts g.rms nns because because t tnS
the tub is not easily kept clean.
II one wants sanitary elegance OF the most
SOLD porSelsin tub is the thing to bbEuy.," OF
course there are extravaganza beings who dab
bic about in tubs OF solid marble IrS Sn tb onyx
save by the plumbers, A solid porcelain tub
doesn't SAVIOR OF Arabian nights and Ouida's
novels, as the marble and onyx do. Then, too.
slight flaw. which doesn't in. any way affect
It's usefulness, one can get it at half or
to one the flaw will not be noticed
by any one. The same thing is true of the
good houses than any other kind of tub. The
latest improvement in both these tubs consists
the tub inside he porcelain rim. Which is per-
forated.. The hot water sprays out through the
pertorationS and streams down the sides OF
the tub. warming the porcelain quickly and
&tS0 w tSn 16fE the water vi + in the :, TUB r evenly;
the spray reaches across the tub and gives a
gentle shower bath to the bather.
rooms are fitted with a nickel shower bath
inclosed in rubber curtains. The water comes
and aiHii il SG Is a thH gwen Very ID dif fes pipf from an 't the sl oid::
fashioned, shower fixture above the ordinary
tubs; Unluckily, when these showers first be-
came popular there were innumerable acci-
dents. caused by, the sudden turning on OF
sealding water. To do away with that danger
il impossible. to turn the, hot water on, first.
The cold water comes first. and gradually
temperature is reached.
For use in sick rooms and throughout a house.
They are clean and durable, and weigh only
fifty or sixty pounds: so that they can easily be
Bathtubs. in general. are much more shallow
than they used to be: but the necessity OF
led to the extensive use OF the deep tub. only
three or four feet in length. The same, cause
first cousins to the buffet beds and the ward
robe couch and all the other space-saying de-
iusio4s and snarest that are a part OF modern fiat
life. When the bathroom is SO small that there
would be no room 70 move about in it, II there
tub. which works with a spring. like a folding
bed: and turns up against the wall. In one
uptown mouse, WneTe SDAce allowed only q ILL.,
iputian bathroom, the builder arranged the
small tub SO that it slides back into the wall and
partially under the shelves Of a WARDROBE and
linen closet next door.
The small patent contrivances for convenience
and comfort in bathing are innumerable, and
two of the most popular are the head rest and
seat. The head rest is a broad band OF rubber.
shaped like a small cushion in the centre. 1t il
rim on each side by nickel clamps: aud one may
rest his head upon it and dream and soak with
ing maps in the bathtub can't be
as u healthful. and profitable habit, but il one
keep his head above water. The seat is very
much on the, order, Of the head rest. but the
band is broader and stronger. 1t says down
into the tub, and any one. particularly a fat per-
son. who has experimented with sitting on the
edge OF a slippery tub will recognize the merit
Another bathroom. accessory which adds
heater, The oven-like arrangement has per-
torated shelves. upon which the towels are laid.
Der tube. Small lets are lighted, under the
oven and the heat rises through the shelves.
Altogether, bathing is becoming a much moro
scientific scGI rranc an da cGamPllicH ItsS : affair 4 as well as an
days. The. regular weekly bath night was an
established institution fifteen years ago in
portable TN tubs and water, heated in kettles
and carried to the scene OF the fray, were the
indictments OF warfare in many a comfortable
an event, and couldn't be approached with such
Of Porcelain tubs and head r. res ssowh IN this day
The plumbers say that whore one bathtub
was put in fifty years ago. thousands are used
nov; and each year the demand, increases
reached the point where we make such
a feature Of Tubing" as do our English
cousins. We do not splash so furiously and
audibly and heroically. nor make the opsratio3
our chief topic OF conversation. but we are i'm
proving. and the time may come when we viii
carry TIN bathtubs among our luggage, when
travelling abroad. 1t won't be necessary here,
feature of bathing, elaborate bat6rooms viii
sprinkle even the Klondike.. Tin tubs OF freez-
ing, tempt only those Americans Who are
chronic sufferers from Anelomania' Tho
ordinary American doesn't object to bathing:
but he wants a porcelain-lined tub and warm
Many, physicians. insist that BATHING. liza
everything else In this day. is being overdons,
some constitutions cannot stand the shock al
: Gold plunge; and some suffer, from the eT-