Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/216

190] inches thick, through which it flows, and they are provided with a solid wooden floor, sectored by iron staples. These machines are six feet broad and seven long, so that the whole body may move in them without constraint.

Their construction renders them moveable, so that they may be raised or lowered at pleasure, and with little trouble, as appears from the machine b; while the impurities settled at the bottom may be easily removed. At the side of the steps (See Pl. II. h.), which extend to the bottom of the bathing machine, the latter is provided with a balluster (Pl. II. i.), adjacent to which is placed a table and chair. The bathing machines are adapted to different depths of water, so that every individual may regulate them at $2 1⁄2$, 3, $3 1⁄2$, or 4 feet in depth, and these proportions are marked within the chamber. Above each machine are suspended two strings, one of which is connected with a bell fixed in the corridor, for calling the waiter: by means of the other, the bathing person may exclude the current of air circulating between the bottom of the floating vessel and the surface of the water, as there is a wooden board which slides down for that purpose.

Plate II.

A—Represents the construction of the floating vessel, which serves for the foundation of the building. It consists of strong double fir-beams, connected with each other by iron bolts and staples.

B.—Represents the ground-plan of one half of the floating vessel; a, the entrance: b, a room on the opposite side for the waiter, who is appointed to receive and deliver the admission tickets, &c.; c, the lateral cabins; d, the undressing and dressing chambers; e, the bathing machines; f, the corridor; g, the surrounding gallery; h, the stair-cases leading into the water; i, the ballusters at the bathing machines: all these parts have already been described in the explanation given of the first plate.

Cool Baths may be called those which are of a temperature between the 56th and 76th degrees of Fahrenheit's scale. They are of great service in all cases where cold bathing has before been recommended, and require nearly similar precautions. As their influence, however, on first entering them is less violent, though their subsequent effect may be attended with equal advantages, it follows, that even persons of a more delicate organization may resort to them with safety.

With respect to rules for cool bathing, we refer the reader to those already stated in the preceding analysis; and shall only remark, that notwithstanding its effects are less perceptible while the body continues in the water, it is necessary that the bather, on coming out of it, should be wiped dry with the greatest expedition, to prevent catarrhal affections.

Warm Baths, are such as have a temperature above die 76th, and not exceeding the 95th or 98th degree of the thermometer before-mentioned. There are various springs in Britain, especially those of, Clifton, , and , to which Nature has given this temperature, the most beneficial to the human body. But whether the tepid bath of this description be natural or artifical, it is equally conducive to the restoration of