On the applications of science to human health and well-being. Being a lecture, introductory to a course, 'on the application of physics to common life', delivered to the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution, in June, 1847 / [Alexander Bain].

  • Bain, Alexander, 1818-1903
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the applications of science to human health and well-being. Being a lecture, introductory to a course, 'on the application of physics to common life', delivered to the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution, in June, 1847 / [Alexander Bain]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Roman multitude of the days of the empire, in their abuse of the blessing of the bath, bore testimony to the range of its power ; with them it was found capable of absorbing a man’s whole existence : it consumed agreeably every part of the passing day that was not given to sleep or meals. It was made the centre of the life-system; and all other occupations, such as gymnastic sports, conversation, reading and listening to the poets, were merely regarded as filling up the intervals of bathing. I do not think that any amount of pedestrianism, jockeyship, horse-racing, hunt¬ ing, boating, cricketing, or the like could furnish out a life so com¬ plete and satisfying as the life made up at the public baths of Imperial Rome. This extreme case is to he looked on as an experiment upon the utmost power of the system. It is a con¬ vincing proof that the bathing institution may be introduced with infinite advantage as one of the standing elements of our bodily succour and support. Before the practice of bathing can be universal, or even very general, there is much to be done in the way of supplying water in abundance to our dense populations; indeed, the possibility of establishing the institution, with all its benefits to the full extent, must mainly depend on the success of the endeavours to accom¬ plish this great object of public administration. * London: Printed by W. Cl owl's and Sons, Stamford Street.