94

BATHS.

nitric or muriatic acid. This principle is procured by soaking gum Bassora in a greatQuantity of cold water, and in removing, by a filter, all the soluble parts.' 1 •

BATHS. ( Bains , Fr. Baden, Germ.) Warm baths have lately come into verygeneral use, and they are justly considered as indispensably necessary in all modernhouses of any magnitude, as also in club-houses, hotels, and hospitals. But the modeof constructing these baths, and of obtaining the necessary supplies of hot and cold wa-ter, does not appear to have undergone an improvement equal to the extension of theiremployment.

The several points in regard to warm baths, are,

1. The materials of which they are constructed.

2. Their situation.

3. The supply of cold water.

4. The supply of hot water.

5. Minor comforts and conveniences.

1. As to the materials of which they are constructed. Of these the best arestabs of polished marble, properly bedded with good water-tight cement, in a seasonedwooden case, and neatly and carefully united at their respective edges. These, whenoriginally well constructed, form a durable, pleasant, and agreeable-looking bath; butthe expense is often objectionable, and, in upper chambers, the weight may proveinconvenient. If of white or veined marble, they are also apt to get yellow or dis-colored by frequent use, and cannot easily be cleansed; so that large Dutch tiles, asthey are called, or square pieces of white earthenware, are sometimes substituted;which, however, are difficultly kept water-tight; so that, upon the whole, marble ispreferable.

Where there are reasons for excluding marble, copper or tinned iron plate is the usualmaterial resorted to. The former is most expensive in the outfit, but far more durablethan the latter, which is, moreover, liable to leakage at the joints, unless most carefullymade. Either the one or the other should be well covered, outside and inside, with seve-ral coats of paint, which may then be marbled or otherwise ornamented.

Wooden tubs, square or oblong, and oval, are sometimes used for warm baths; andare cheap and convenient, but neither elegant nor cleanly. The wood always contractsa mouldy smell; and the difficulty and nuisance of keeping them water-tight, andpreventing shrinkage, are such as to exclude them from all except extemporaneous ap-plication.

2. As to the situation of the bath, or the part of the house in which it is to beplaced.—In hotels, and dub-houses, this is a question easily determined: several bathsare usually here required, and each should have annexed to it a properly warmeddressing-room. Whether they are up stairs or down stairs, is a question of convenience,but the basement story, in which they are sometimes placed, should always be avoided ;there is a coldness and dampness belonging to it, in almost all weathers, which is neitheragreeable nor salubrious.

In hospitals, there should be at least two or three baths on each side of the house (themen’s and women’s), and the supply of hot water should be ready at a moment’s notice.The rooms in which the baths are placed should be light, and comparatively large andairy; and such conveniences for getting into and out of the bath should be adopted, asthe sick are well known to require. The dimensions of these baths should also be largerthan usual.

In private houses, the fittest places for warm baths are dressing-rooms annexed tothe principal bed-rooms; or, where such convenience cannot be obtained, a separatebath-room, connected with the dressing-room, and always upon the bed-room floor. Allnewly-built houses should be properly arranged for this purpose, and due attentionshould be paid to the warming of the bath-room, which ought also to be properly ven-tilated. A temperature of 70° may easily be kept up in it, and sufficient ventilationis absolutely requisite, to prevent the deposition of moisture upon the walls andfurniture.

The objection which formerly jfrevailed, in respect to the difficulty of obtainingadequate supplies of water, in the upper rooms, has been entirely obviated, by havingcisterns at or near the top of the house; and we would just hint that these should beso contrived, as to be placed out of the reach of frost; a provision of the utmost im-portance in every point of view, and very easily effected in a newly-built house, thoughit unfortunately happens, that architects usually regard these matters as trifles, andtreat them with neglect, as indeed they do the warming and ventilation of buildingsgenerally.

3. The supply of water of proper quality and quantity, is a very important point,as connected with the present subject. The water should be soft, clean, and pure ; andas free as possible from all substances mechanically suspended in it. In many cases,it answers to dig a well for the exclusive supply of a large house with water. In most