Dr Traill on the Russian Vapour-Bath. 17. 



species of whipping is performed very dexterously, with a sort 

 of brushing motion, from the shoulders downwards ; and the 

 application becomes general over the body and limbs, as the 

 bather turns on his wooden couch. The sensations produced 

 by this operation are agreeable, and are very far from producing 

 that excessive redness of the surface described by Acerbi. 



The operator now anoints the whole body with a liquid mild 

 soap ; and, after again mounting to the upper tier for some time, 

 we descend one by one to the middle of the floor, where a power- 

 ful affusion of cold water from the shower-bath in the ceiling re- 

 moves every vestige of soap. This sudden affusion of cold wa- 

 ter is remarkably grateful : it is scarcely possible to describe the 

 effect, which is highly exhilarating and refreshing. 



It is usual again to undergo the steaming after the tempera- 

 ture of the bath is increased by the affusion of water on the 

 glowing pottery in the furnace. For this purpose, the opera- 

 tor opens the door above described, and placing us out of the 

 direction of the immediate efflux of the steam, he dashes, in suc- 

 cessive jets, a small bucket of water into the furnace. The 

 apartment is instantly filled with clouds of steam, at a high tem- 

 perature ; and when the door of the aperture is closed, we re- 

 sume our places on the benches, gradually proceeding to the 

 highest, as we become inured to the temperature. From the 

 upper tier we finally descend to have the cold shower-bath re- 

 peated ; after which we leave the bathing. room, are rubbed dry 

 by assistants in the small heated apartment, where we resume 

 the flannel dressing-gown and slippers, and are reconducted to 

 the saloon, where we find the couches spread with blankets ; 

 and we recline for half an hour in a most profuse perspiration, 

 and in a state of luxurious languor, and mental tranquiUity. 



On a subsequent occasion, I provided myself with the means 

 of ascertaining the temperature of the bathing-room, and noted 

 its effect on the pulse of myself and two other bathers. The 

 heat is generally from 45° to 50° of Reaumur ; that is, from 

 133°. 25 to 144°.5 of Fahrenheit. On the occasion referred to^ 

 it ranged in the bath, during my stay, from 42° to 46° R., = 

 126°.5 and 185°.5 F. in the lower part of the bathing-room; 

 but I was unable to examine the temperature near the ceiling, 

 on account of the thick vapour, and the intensity of the ten^pera- 



VOL. XIII. NO. XXV. JULY 1832. B 



