188 
MOSCOW. 
CHAP. 
VIII. 
■~ v ~ ~ 
National 
Importance 
of Public 
Baths. 
If lie ventured to raise his head but for an 
instant, and draw in his breath, it seemed like 
inhaling flames. It was impossible to endure 
this for any length of time; therefore finding 
himself unable to cry out, he forced his way 
down from the stove, and was conducted to the 
lower part of the room : here being seated upon 
the floor, and the doors being opened, he soon 
recovered sufficiently to walk out ol the bath. 
Eminent physicians have endeavoured to draw 
the attention of the English Government to the 
importance of public baths, and ot countenancing 
their use by every aid of example and of encou- 
ragement. While we wonder at their prevalence 
among all the Eastern and Northern nations, may 
we not lament that they are so little known in our 
own country ? We might, perhaps, find reagon 
to allow, that erysipelas, surfeit, rheumatism, 
colds, and many other evils, especially cutaneous 
and nervous disorders, would be alleviated, if 
not prevented, by a proper attention to bathing. 
The inhabitants of countries where the hath is 
constantly used, have recourse to it, in the full 
confidence of being able to remove such com- 
plaints ; and they are rarely disappointed. In 
England, baths are considered only as articles of 
luxury ; yet throughout the vast empire of 
Russia, through all Finland, Lapland, Sweden, 
3 
