Of the Sahtbrity of Warm Bathing. 603 



should be placed on the platform by the side of the 

 bathing-tub. A pipe should be prepared for admit- 

 ting cold water into the bathing-tub from a reservoir 

 situated without the bath ; and another, for bringing 

 steam into it to heat it from the steam-boiler. There 

 should likewise be a waste-pipe for carrying off the 

 water when the bathing-tub is emptied. 



The bathing-tub should not be set down immedi- 

 ately upon the lead which covers the platform on which 

 the tub is placed, but should be raised eight or ten 

 inches above it, in order that the air may pass freely 

 under the bottom of the tub, and that there may be 

 room to come at the lead to wash it and clean it in 

 every part. 



A bath, constructed in the manner here described, 

 might be kept constantly warm all the year round, at 

 a very small expense for fuel ; and in that case it would 

 always be ready for use. 



It is equally well calculated to serve as a warm air- 

 bath, as a vapour-bath, or as a warm-water bath ; and, 

 when it is used as a water-bath, the air in the room 

 may be made either warm or temperate at pleasure. 



This last circumstance I take to be a matter of the 

 greatest importance ; for nothing surely can be more 

 disagreeable than the sensations of a person on getting 

 out of a tub of warm water, and standing shivering with 

 cold till he is wiped dry and dressed; and I cannot 

 help suspecting that such a situation is as dangerous 

 as it is unpleasant. 



I am much inclined to think that the warm air-bath, 

 with occasional washing with warm water, will be 

 found to be not only the most pleasant, but also the 

 most wholesome, of any ; and, if that should be the case, 



