HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



249 



fliut with a dry ftone of Tetzontli, or fome other ftone 

 porous like it. In the upper part of the vault there is an 

 air hole, like that to the furnace. This is the ufual 

 ftru&ure of the Temazcalli, of which we have fubjoined 

 a figure ; but there are others that are without vault or 

 furnace, mere little fquare chambers, yet well covered 

 and defended from the air. 



When any perfon goes to bathe, he firft lays a mat 

 (e) within the Temazcalli, a pitcher of water, and a 

 bunch of herbs, or leaves of maize. He then caufes a 

 fire to be made in the furnace, which is kept burning, 

 until the ftones which join the Temazcalli and furnace 

 are quite hot. The perfon who is to ufe the bath en- 

 ters commonly naked, and generally accompanied for 

 the fake of convenience, or on account of infirmity, by 

 one of his domeftics. As foon as he enters, he fliuts the 

 entrance clofe, but leaves the air-hole at top for a little 

 time open, to let out any fmoke which may have been 

 introduced through the chinks of the ftone ; when it is 

 all out he likewife flops up the air-hole. He then throws 

 water upon the hot ftones, from which immediately arif- 

 es a thick fteam to the top of the Temazcalli. While 

 the fick perfon lies upon the mat, the domeftic drives 

 the vapour downwards, and gently beats the fick perfon, 

 particularly on the ailing part, with the bunch of herbs, 

 which are dipped for a little while in the water of the 

 pitcher, which has then become a little warm. The 

 fick perfon falls immediately into a foft and copious 

 fweat, which is encreafed or diminifhed at pleafure, ac- 

 cording as the cafe requires. When the evacuation de- 

 fired is obtained, the vapour is let off, the entrance is 

 Vol. II. I i clear- 



er The Spaniards, when they bathed, made ufe of a mattrefs for more con- 

 venience. 



