Richmond Hill 119

23. Methods of constructing Turkish Baths in existing Houses 124

24. A complete Private Turkish Bath 126

25. Design for a Private Turkish Bath 130, 131

26. Plan of the Baths at the Hotel Mont Dore, Bournemouth 135

27. Plan of the Great Northern Railway Company's Turkish Bath
for Horses 142

THE

TURKISH BATH.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Since the revival of the bath of antiquity, and its introduction into
this country under the name of the Turkish bath, this method of bathing
has become very generally adopted; and although onward progress is
rendered less rapid than it might be, by the wide-spread popular
ignorance that ascribes an element of danger to the bath, erroneous
impressions are being gradually removed, and the continual building of
new baths testifies to the manner in which the institution flourishes on
British soil.

To what extent the delusion concerning the supposed danger connected
with this form of bathing is to be ascribed to popular ignorance and
prejudice, or to the fact that baths of unsuitable design and
construction, and of faulty heating and ventilation, are put before the
public, it would be hard to say. Certain it is that the latter cause has
done much--very much--injury.

I cannot but think that one of the chief obstacles to the progress of
the bath in this country, is that little or nothing has been written or
said about its proper design, construction, and working, and that no
full inquiry has been made into the best possible method of supplying
heat to the bathers. As a consequence, we have had, and still have,
placed before the public, and meeting with undeserved success, "Turkish
baths" which are such only in name--unhealthy, ill-ventilated cellars,
where the air, deteriorated at the outset by the heating apparatus,
stagnates in the sudatory chambers, and becomes loaded with the
exhalations and emanations of the bathers, and not unfrequently charged
with a nauseating and disgusting odour. What wonder that we so often
hear persons remark that they have tried the bath, but neither enjoyed
it nor did it agree with them! The damaging effect of "baths" of this
type on the prospects of the true bath is incalculable.

In the absence of enlightenment, however, thousands, convinced of the
value