Note 9 — THE TURKISH BATH.1

The object to be attained by the proceeding last described is to allow the body to cool down after the perspiration produced by the bath, and to encourage the free absorption of oxygen through the skin, the body being fully exposed to the action of the air when the pores are in the best condition to inhale it. We would here observe, that the Turks have given up the cold immersion of the Romans, which succeeded the last washing with warm water in the third or inner chamber, after which the bather was again conducted to the hot room for a few moments previous to his finally emerging into the first or cooling chamber. For this immersion the Turks have substituted the fanning of the body by a boy armed with a napkin or feather-fan, which, setting the cool air in motion, rapidly cools the body; whilst, with the same view, Dr. Barter uses, in some cases, the cold vertical and horizontal douches, or simple plunge bath,9 according to the strength and powers of the individual, each mode realizing, however, the same end—namely, the preventing the breaking out of a second perspiration.