The Turkish Bath in health and disease : being a lecture delivered in the Mechanics' Hall, Sheffield, Friday, December 16th, 1858 / by John Le Gay Brereton.

  • Brereton, J. Le Gay. John Le Gay, 1827-1886.
Date:
[1858?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Turkish Bath in health and disease : being a lecture delivered in the Mechanics' Hall, Sheffield, Friday, December 16th, 1858 / by John Le Gay Brereton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    killed some animals and the skin was a respiratory organ, that pigs always thrive more rapidly in dirt? Dr. BRERETON said they would find that pigs would he far healthier if well washed, and they would also find that from a want of exercise pigs were very frequently scrofulous. (Cheers.) Then as to the cold-water shower bath—shocks to the system were always bad; but they would find in the use of the bath that they could enjoy the cold and still keep warm. They could have warm water if they chose—it was certainly a matter for consideration, and was to be decided upon according to the purpose for which the bath was taken. In cases of nervous irritability, and where the brain was affected, they would find cold water sometimes very beneficial. Many patients who suffered from sleeplessness found the cold water after the bath a complete remedy. Cold water was certainly not advisable in all cases, but the exceptions were very few, and the person who had the management of the bath, being experienced in such matters, would always be able to form a very accurate judgment. Another WORKING MAN then asked what length of time the lec- turer would advise people to remain in the bath ? Dr. BRERETON said this depended entirely upon circumstances. For a time at first, to go through it all, it would occupy two hours; but after they had got into the habit of taking it they would, like him, be- come very sensitive, and perspire in a few minutes. He could take a bath himself in ten minutes. The time varied in cases of disease—in fact, it was in every case regulated entirely by circumstances; they could remain in until they felt a desire to leave it rather than otherwise. The proceedings terminated by a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was moved by the lecturer.