Dr Traill on the Russian Vapour^Bath, ' 19 



The process of the vapour-bath is completed by a plentiful 

 supply of towels, with which we gradually dry the surface, 

 while we are well rubbed doxvn by an assistant. We then re- 

 sumed our dress, and retired to a coffee-room, where there was 

 a plentiful supply of newspapers, and had a cup of good coffee 

 for twopence Sterling. As I have already stated, the baths 

 were free to the naturforscher ; but I ascertained that the whole 

 expense of the bath and its accompaniments is not more than 

 one marc, or sixteenpence English, and for twopence more the 

 bather is entitled to a cup of coffee, and to read the newspapers 

 in a handsome apartment. 



I received from the liberal owner permission to examine his 

 splendid establishment of vapour and shower baths devoted to 

 females. 



The vapour-bath resembles that already described, but is 

 much neater. 



The variety of shower-baths surprised me. They are of 

 every conceivable form, from the powerful stream to the mi- 

 nute drizzing of water from orifices as fine as a needle, which 

 jet tiny streams of warm or cold water, at the option of the 

 bather, in every possible direction on her person. By means of 

 polished brass arms, curved so as to enclose the body, moveable 

 by universal joints, connected with a cistern, and perforated with 

 innumerable minute holes, a cross-jire of jets (if I may be al- 

 lowed the expression) is kept up on any part of the body. If 

 the bather inclines to sit, a perforated seat is placed on a large 

 flat trough, which collects and carries off the water, jets of wa- 

 ter play from the various moveable arms from each side, from 

 above, and from below, so that every part of the surface is be- 

 dewed. A general stopcock commands the whole flow of wa- 

 ter, while each brazen-rod is under the control of one appro- 

 priate to itself These are at the disposal of the bather ; and 

 each trough or bath is surrounded by curtains to skreen the 

 person from the eyes of the assistant. 



Similar shower-baths are appropriated to gentlemen. The 

 whole forms one of the most elegant and perfect establishments 

 of the kind I have ever seen, and is a source of emolument to 

 the spirited proprietor. 



I inquired anxiously into the medical efficacy of the Russian 



