150 



or tonsillitis, with his sputtering, coughing, snorting and spitting, would 

 undoubtedly infect the water with the specific germs of those diseases. 

 Ordinary colds and sore throats following the plunge bath are frequently 

 laid to the effects of the bath, while in most cases such results are un- 

 doubtedly due to germ infection. One of the factors which lead the writer 

 to take up this subject was an epidemic of colds among the users of the 

 Purdue swimming pool this fall. 



Venereal diseases could be transmitted through the agency of the 

 swimming pool. One case of gonorrhoea could infect many eyes in a 

 crowded swimming pool. 



It is practically impossible to compel the bathers to submit to a com- 

 plete medical inspection and physical examination before they are allowed 

 to enter the pool, and 3 r et from many points of view this would be a most 

 desirable thing. 



The least that can be done for the protection of the bathers is to in- 

 sist that certain rules be strictly adhered to. For example, such rules as 

 the following are posted prominently in the Purdue gymnasium : 



TAKE A SOAP SHOWER BEFORE ENTERING POOL. 



All gymnasium privileges will be denied persons affected 



by any contagious or communicable disease. 

 All persons must take a soap shower before entering the 



pool. 

 All persons using the pool must wear bathing suits or 

 trunks. 

 Of course facilities must be provided for the required showers, and 

 each person should provide his own towel and soap. 



In the Central Baths, Bradford, England, special arrangements are 

 provided for washing the feet, 1 a most desirable thing as a prerequisite 

 to the use of the pool. (See Fig. 7.) 



PRACTICAL PURIFICATION OF WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS. 



The amount and character of the pollution in swimming pool waters 

 point very clearly to the need of some practical process of purification. In 

 most cases it is too expensive to have a continuous change of water, and 



1 Centralized Public Baths. Bertha H. Smith, Modern Sanitation. November, 

 1909. 



