The Roman bath : a few remarks showing the reason why it is to be preferred to the Turkish bath for the use of the English public, in consequence of the economy of time in its use, and the ground on which it is recommended to the public as a channel for investment.

Date:
[1861]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Roman bath : a few remarks showing the reason why it is to be preferred to the Turkish bath for the use of the English public, in consequence of the economy of time in its use, and the ground on which it is recommended to the public as a channel for investment. 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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    which health is to be drawn by those engaged in sedentary occupations.* In the Universities, where large bodies of men are thrown together, many of whom are anxious to be put into training1 without great loss of time, or, after severe mental exertion, to be rapidly prepared for a pedes- trian excursion, the Roman Bath could not fail to pay very large profits,—simply because a requirement would be supplied for which there is already a large demand. But the construction of Baths for the public is not the only source from which a Bath Company may de- rive commercial profit. Nothing is so well known amongst us as the fact, that while many of the public will hesitate to spend three shillings on themselves, they will spend three pounds to save a favourite horse. That the Roman Bath will do all that the owners of this animal can wish, to secure it from being carried off by many of the diseases to which it is subject, must be evident to all who have read Admiral Rous’s admirable article on the Roman Bath as applicable * It is singular to observe what little competition any really good Roman Baths are likely to meet with. I had occasion lately to sug- gest to the Commissioners of the Public Baths and Wash-houses at Greenwich, the propriety of converting a portion into Roman Baths ; and I received a most courteous reply from their clerk, saying, “ that the Commissioners, having discussed the subject brought before them by you, they are satisfied that the terms of the Act of Parliament, whereby Parochial Baths and Wash-houses are established, will not allow them to entertain the idea of erecting Roman Baths for the accommodation of the public; inasmuch as for every 1st class Bath, two must be made for the 2nd class, and the Act prohibits a higher charge than 2d for a 2nd class Bath.”