The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-02

an habitually dirty man clean is TO create
In his lnmost soul even but temporarily.
desire 10 rise out OF the squalor and
filth in which he may be ordinarily en-
compassed.
The houses OF the poor have not and
cannot we'll have the benefits Of properly
fitted baths, and though IL Is usual to
find the homes OF the lower middle class
provided with excellent bathing arrange
ments. the rank and file of the working
classes have few Ii IL this vast mass
OF humanity that can only be reached by
the cheap and free baths as are needed in
our city and Is hoped may be furnished,
even at public expense.
Modern science has rendered unneces-
sary the use of the clumsey, expensive
and unclean bathtubs. so liable to cause
disease from contagion and otherwise.
The healthy. more refreshing rain or
spray bath Is taking it's place. which be-
sides having the advantages already men,
toned, can be furnished a much less cost
compared with that OF the old system
The cost OF the fixtures for a spray ba IN
Is said not 10 exceed $40. as against $50 for
a moderate priced bathtub and fixtures
Likewise the same disproportion in the
quality of water is maintained.
To properly bathe a person by the spray
method only three gallons OF water are
necessary. while TO hll a bath tub with
sufficient water TO cover the body re-
quires. at the very least. twenty one
gallons. Thus seven persons might be
bathed by the former method as against
one by the latter method. The difference
becomes more apparent when the cost OF
raising the water from an average tenn
perature throughout the year OF forty
degrees to the temperature Of the body
is considered.
Moral and intellectual precepts and
clean bodies should have the closest re-
lationship. 1t is hardly necessary to point
out the fact that the appreciation of the
value OF personal cleanliness Is not in
tuitive, and that in all Instances IL must
be taught the child. The public schools.
where IL may be practicable. should be
equipped I'm the basement with baths,
having requisite divisions for women.
This can be done at very small out
lay, because the boilers already in use
for heating the building usually suffice
to heat water for large tank These
baths could be used by the women during
school hours. and by the children after
school hours and on Saturday and would
In no way interfere with the usefulness
OF the school building
The natural consequence OF the public
bath is the public laundry. The habit
of bodily cleanliness necessitates clean
clothing. and. conversely. wearing clean
linen Is apt TO give rise to desire for
the bath AS a moral agent, therefore
the public laundry seems TO be an indis-
pensable auxiliary OF the bath ard in
contestibly II IL needed almost as much
by those who live I'm crowded tenements
where even meagre facilities for washing
clothes are infrequent. and ample room
is seldom found. The practical trial OF a
public laundry is an easy undertaking.
F-tlf -
a specially constructed building. There
Is no need OF large number OF attend
ants, no burdensome expenses for main
tenance and repairs. no extensive land
area. Iaundries might also be estab-
lished and maintained in connection with
the bath houses In close connection
with the subject OF bath and laundry
houses is that relating to public sanitary
conveniences. so necessary for the health
and comfort OF all citizens.
A 10Th century municipality is culpable
I'm not itself making suitable provisions
for such accommodations. instead OF
compelling their use in improper and dan
gerous places. That which the city fails
to provide for the comfort and conven-
fence OF It's citizens, the saloon keeper
often supplies. This is done az a matter
of business. In order TO attract customers,
for the liquor offered for sale Is not the
only attraction OF the modern saloon. The
lavatory accommodations are as ample
and as clean as II is possible for them
10 be built. and many OF them compare
favorably with those OF the best hotels.
The saloon keeper. however. recompenses
himself for his outlay in the increasing
number OF patrons who frequent the
place. solely for the sanitary conven-
fences furnished but. In addition. patron
ize the bar. because many have n sensi
tive feeling I'm the thought OF getting
something for nothing. hence n glass OF
beer or whiskey is bought, such purchase
often being the direct cause OF subse-
uucnt humiliation and misery. not 20
mention the expenditure OF money re-
durcd for personal and household needs.
While II IL expected that tho city and
town authorities viii lead I'm the estab-
lishment and maintenance of all the pub
lic conveniences mentioned. and oppor-
tInlty II not and will not be lacking
for individual and family service In that
direction. especially IN the establishment
and maintenance of baths and laundries
II has been we'll said that "in the age
of Augustus the Roman who stood near
est the Emperor. did not consider II be-
meath his dignity To present a public hath
TO his city. In these days when wealth
is abounding on every hand. and men