The uses and abuses of the Turkish bath / by Edward Haughton.

  • Haughton, E. (Edward)
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The uses and abuses of the Turkish bath / by Edward Haughton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    incalculable amount of injury to the physical health of the commimity.’^' After all, this is only repeating the sentiments of the President of the Irish College of Physicians, written more than a year ago, respecting the kind of bath introduced in the year 1858, viz., “ To one circumstance connected with the Turkish Baths of this country,—namely, the deficiency of a sufiicient supply of vapour, the attention of the profession and the public for their own safety cannot be too earnestly called. Whether the defect arises from accident or ignorance it is, a serious and dangerous mistake, and one that ought to be rectified without delay, and, when rectified,^ these laths will lecome most useful medical adjuvants^ \ Having had ample opportunity of convincing myself, that in thus writing. Dr. Corrigan had fairly stated the case, I now propose to show in what manner the mistake in question may be rectified, and also what kind of bath is best suited for the use of the public. The hottest room or sudatorium of Medical Baths ought to be maintained at a temperature of 145® or 150° Fahrt., and the amount of moisture in the air should be regulated by a hygrometric thermometer. At this temperature, if it does not contain a larger amount of water than “the ordinary air we daily breathe,” its capacity for moisture will not be satisfied, and excessive evaporation from the body will take place. In order to prevent this, the most effectual means that can be adopted will be the introduction of a small fountain, throwing up a fiue spray, as has been done already in one establishment; and in another, the supply of moisture is obtained by the position of the lavatorium or washing-place. For the use of the general public such a bath as this is both safe and pleasant; but if used habitually for several months, I believe it to be debilitating, because it promotes the cutaneous secretions too profusely. V^en used as a remedy it is invaluable, as I shall presently show; but for pleasure, expedition, and efidciency in cleansing the skin, it is decidedly inferior to the bath of the Turks. In the latter, the air contains a considerable quantity of watery vapour, 1but not enough to constitute it a vapour bath. There is not a dense cloud of steam, but merely a slight haziness, wliich is not disagreeable. Its temperature has been • In speaking of the bath I am obliged to ignore all personal considerations; and therefore wish it to be understood, that while I have the greatest respect, both for the motives and talents of the gentlemen to whom I have alluded, 1 feel that I would be neglecting a great public duty if I suffered what I believe to be error to pass without notice. + This quotation is from a letter of Dr. Corrigan’s to the Editor of The Dublin JTospiial Gazette, introducing an achniiuble description of the Egyptian Bath, by Dr. U. 11. Madden.