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Article A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YORK BATHS. Page 1 of 2 Article A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YORK BATHS. Page 1 of 2 →
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A Visit To The Royal York Baths.
A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YORK BATHS .
MEDICAL readme is not precisely congenial , perhaps , to all tastes whilo tho merriment of " ye festive season" is still ringing in our ears ; but , after all , it may be that those who value ihe ' greatest of all blessings—a sonnd mind iu a healthy body—will find it not unprofitable , especially Avhen the subject is treated in a
palatable way , just as we administer homoeopathic doses of needful medicine to children in vi ry large spoonfuls of jam . In dealing with the matter from tho pmticular standpoint taken by the writer of an interesting brochure * before us , let all draughts , p ills and nostrumsall physicindeed—bo thrown , where the Immortal Bard Avould consign
, them , " to the dogs . " We want to seo no wry faces in theso ' jolly " times ; and would that everybody , ourselves included , shonld put a p leasant face on matters of tho highest hygienic importance—the preservation of health by the prevention of disease . Physicians Avho aro considered " eminent" find that after all their draughts of oil
from the liver of the cod—how wo shudder when wo think of them !—and tho mysterious manipulations of water ! a meHca have failed , Ihe next best thing the patient can do , seeing that he mnst inevitably die , is that ho should perform that operation at ns groat a distance as possible from home—in some pnffed-up " resort" for sufferers from all the ills that ilesh is heir to .
In the little work before ns thero is no such dolorous theme propounded , and yet the treatise is , to all intents and purposes , medical . Nor is it in any spirit of satiation with the " creature comforts " which so often belie their name at this time of yearno dyspepsia or bile after " fat living "—that Ave take a glance over
the pages of the interesting publication before ns , for it reminds ns of much of the surprise and refreshing luxury we experienced after we had taken onr first " Turkish Bath , " ever so many years ago . Who does not recollect the sensation of buoyancy and light henrtedness when , having escaped from the hands of the " manipulator , " in
the hot room , shampooing-voora and the rest , he has lain turban'd like a Turk over his siesta , revelling in the mingled fragrance of a mild Havannah and a cup of choice Mocha ? Even in the old days , when the appliances of so-called Turkish Baths were crude in form , when the baths themselves were by no means suggestive of the Oriental , nnd
before medical science had been brought to bear upon tho subject of baths as a preservative , ns well as a restorative , of health , they were a luxury to those Avho had the means and leisure fo enjoy them ; but since science and art have combined to develop the therapeutic practice , and to render it capable of being turned to account in so many
ways for the amelioration of disease , the assuaging of pain , and the prevention of ailments which can be arrested by no other means , the study becomes enlarged and vastly mere interesting . For those who ore impelled to" try " baths b y tho physical infirmities under which
they suffer , Ave now find , added to thn popularly understood Turkish Bath , various forms of electric , medicated , warm and cold shower , douche , spray , needle , hi p , plunge , and other baths , each having its peculiar and delicate manipulation and effect ; bnt of these AVO may speak iu more detail later on .
Leaving for a moment a consideration of tho little book referred to at the commencement of this article , let us briefly describe a visit Ave recently paid to the Eoyal York Baths , 51 York-terwce , Ym * kpate , Regent ' s Park , N . W ., through tho courteous invitation of Bro . Dr . Jagielski , the managing director . We had made up our mind
to see something rdcherchd in the stylo and appliances of an establishment Avhich had been carried on for somo years b y Mr . Adolphns , who did so much to bring electric baths into popular favonr ; but confess to an agreeable astonishment at the perfection to which every detail of orranntement has been brought under tho present
management , since the reconstruction of these Baths . The elevation of tho building is undoubtedly one of the finest and most attractive of all the bnths in the metropolis , and the Moorish style of architecture Avhich pervades the interior is in pleasant keeping with every idea of Oriental luxury , elegance and refinement . The threo
doors between the columns of the facade are each separately reserved for lady and gentleman bathers and the private residence of the consulting physician . Thero aro separate waiting-rooms for the sexes , with corridors from each leading to what may be described as tho most luxurious and perfect set of Turkish , electric and medicated
baths to be found anywhere . All the Avails of the baths are built of coloured glazed bricks , tho seats are of Avhito marble , the floors of Italian mosaic ; while all aro easily washed and flushed . The ceilings being all beautiful in design and colour , furnish a pleasing diversion to the bather ' s eye when in a nenmbent position . The door lintels
arc of Sicilian marble , and all tlie woodwork ia of pitch pine ; whilst the architectural ornamentation i . s Moorish , and most beautifull y carried out . The well-appointed needle bath , of pure solid nickel , the douches ascending and descending , hot and cold ; tlie shower , spray , hip , needle , & c , aro all on a level with the rooms ; the shatr . pooer ' s
waiting-room close at hand ; tlio " plunge , " beautifully light aud airy , its Avatev ' s surface rippled by the Avavrs created through the fountain from the Turk shampooer statuette squeezing a sponge . This has been executed by Bro . E . Geflowski , tho well-known sculptor of Briiton-street , W , in beautifully fine Avhite marble . The
coolingroom is not only handsomely designed , but perfectly ventilated , and altogether worthy of the hij-h reputation of the talented architect , Mr . Thomas Durrans , of Upper Baker-street , N . W ., as also the vestiary , with the elegant and lofty dressing-room and o-allerv .
Tho eoolin-r-ivom is most luxurious , the floor being laid Avith Moorish carpet * , delightful easy conches , mirrors , and every elegant Oriental surrounding ; the ventilation is simply unique ; Avhilst hero and there are handsome marble tables , and coffee or tea is served
A Visit To The Royal York Baths.
to those who may wish it—aud Avho does not , after a luxurious Turkish Bath ? Tho vestibulnm is a passage in the pure Moorish architectural style , ending in an alcove . The eroatest and mo't important feature , however , in the whole of tho interior arrangements is the perfect ventilation throughout the
entire suite of apartments , so that no bather can leave them without a pleasant feeling , contrasting most favourably with other baths in London Avhich are described by puff advertisements to b 9 well ventilated , but whose proprietors cannot give ocular demonstration , or explain how this is effected , to thoughtful and investigating bathers . We
havo been into Turkish Baths the atmosphere of which has reminded us more of the sulphuric regions of the underground railway than anything else ; Avhere the skin has been shrivelled up with the dry heat , instead of a healthy perspiration being engendered ; and where , when the hot rooms havo been any way full , the air has been
so vitiated by tho eliminations from the skin and lungs that the pleasure , that had been anticipated from the bath has been turned into nausea , amounting almost to torture . Here , however , all ia changed , and the great difficulty hitherto experienced in the construction of Turkish Baths , namely , tbe maintenance of suitable
ventilation consistent with the heat required and the avoidance of draughts , has been triumphantly overcome . Thus , instead of experiencing headache and languor after the Turkish Bath , as many complain of , unsuspecting that this has been produced by the inhalation of foul air , there is perfect purity , with all
the essential elements required by the bather . A tunnel , seventy feet long , seven feet high , and five feet wide , has been constructed , by means of which an abundant supply of a constant fresh air current ia secured . By introducing tho fresh air through such a large channel into the convoluted heating stove a back draught is impossible , aa
may be seen by holding up the flame of a candle in the direction of the stove . This is assisted on the south-west side by a shaft , which sends doAvn additional fresh air to the other side of the stove , and at last , heated , it penetrates upwards through a huge grate into the Sudatorium or hottest room , and thence diffuses itself into the
Calidarium or hot room , the Tepidarium or warm room , the shampooing , and douche rooms . In each of these there are built exhausting shafts from below the seats , close to the ground , so that all vitiated air which , being heaviest , accumulates here , is extracted constantly throngh patent ventilators . In this way a constant
stream of fresh oxygen is established in the Baths , a most decided and pronounced novelty in London Turkish Baths , where usually , from want of such arrangements , the vitiated air of the bath is again sent throngh the stove at once , whence it returns to be re-breathed , and thus produces unpleasant and unhealthy symptoms in the bathers . The ventilation of the coolins room is also most excellent .
In winter , the fresh air running through the doivn mafts into the grates over the pipes is most successfully heated •whilst in summer the same shafts introduce fresh cooling air into the room when the warming apparatus is not in operation . Electric Baths are a prominent feature in this establishment , and
the most careful study and scientific research have been brought to bear upon them by Dr . Jagielski , who is most assiduous in personally superintending tho institution nnd giving directions for the guidance of bathers when asked to do so . There are 18 separate rooms for these baths , and as they are now so mnch used in therapeutics ,
patients can have them here in the most luxurious style . The command of a large supply of electricity in the warm water baths is extended to , and utilised in , the Royal York Turkish Baths , which is not only novel , but medically and otherwise most important . Tho previous heating and sweating of the body render ifc more
susceptible to the influence of the all-searching fluid . In its appli . cation it can be controlled by the bather or patient to any desirable degree of strength . It can be taken standing , sitting , or reclining , soothing and alleviating pain , and ultimately effecting most remarkable cures . Such are a few of the most salient advantages of
the newly and handsomely reconstructed Baths , Avhich are now under tho immediate supervision of a resident superintending and consulting physician , who will be able to advise patients as to the kind of medicated baths , & c , best suited to their particular requirements . A visit of inspection will convince any one that in the
construction and equipment of the Eoyal York Baths no effort has been spared to secure the convenience of bathers , who are specially invited to observe the following , among other salient points : —( 1 ) The various bath-rooms for electric , warm , and other private baths are placed all along and on both sides of a corridor , warmed in the
cold season by a hot-water apparatus in connection with a separate saddle boiler . ( 2 ) All the rooms of the Turkish Bath are arranged on tho same ground floor , the dressing-boxes alone being placed slightly above their level . In this way no trouble is given to the weak and suffering bather unable to move easily about . ( 3 ) The
light of the whole of the baths is derived from lofty skylights , which can be opened , closed , and ventilated ad libitum . No inconvenience is caused to the eyes , as is the case in most London Turkish Baths , when attempting to read by daylight . ( 4 ) The gas in all the Turkish lloynl York Baths is disconnected from the rooms , thus preventing
tbe vitiating of the air within by the products of its combustion . In addition to the rocommendntiona already enumerated , and they are by no means effusive , something must be said on the score of healthiness of situation . Here again the Eoyal York Baths are peculiarly fortunate . The immediate neighbourhood of the south
side of Regent ' s Park , on the east aide of York Gate , which leads from Marylebone Church , along by the bridge of the Regent ' s Park lake , to the Botanical Gardens , gives the Baths one of the mosfc healthy positions in Loudon . The fresh air in fche Park , wifch the blooming scents exhaled by its trees , shrubs , flowers , meadows and
gardens , tends to make patients forget the dark and sombre streets of the city , Avith their noisy and croAvded surroundings . The greafc elevation of Regent ' s Park , over Oxford-street , Holborn , Piccadill y , the Strand , Thames Embankment , & c , renders the air purer , and more invigorating . The Avhole surroundings of Bayswater , Paddington , St . Jehu ' s Wood , and the neighbourhood , with their widely-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Visit To The Royal York Baths.
A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YORK BATHS .
MEDICAL readme is not precisely congenial , perhaps , to all tastes whilo tho merriment of " ye festive season" is still ringing in our ears ; but , after all , it may be that those who value ihe ' greatest of all blessings—a sonnd mind iu a healthy body—will find it not unprofitable , especially Avhen the subject is treated in a
palatable way , just as we administer homoeopathic doses of needful medicine to children in vi ry large spoonfuls of jam . In dealing with the matter from tho pmticular standpoint taken by the writer of an interesting brochure * before us , let all draughts , p ills and nostrumsall physicindeed—bo thrown , where the Immortal Bard Avould consign
, them , " to the dogs . " We want to seo no wry faces in theso ' jolly " times ; and would that everybody , ourselves included , shonld put a p leasant face on matters of tho highest hygienic importance—the preservation of health by the prevention of disease . Physicians Avho aro considered " eminent" find that after all their draughts of oil
from the liver of the cod—how wo shudder when wo think of them !—and tho mysterious manipulations of water ! a meHca have failed , Ihe next best thing the patient can do , seeing that he mnst inevitably die , is that ho should perform that operation at ns groat a distance as possible from home—in some pnffed-up " resort" for sufferers from all the ills that ilesh is heir to .
In the little work before ns thero is no such dolorous theme propounded , and yet the treatise is , to all intents and purposes , medical . Nor is it in any spirit of satiation with the " creature comforts " which so often belie their name at this time of yearno dyspepsia or bile after " fat living "—that Ave take a glance over
the pages of the interesting publication before ns , for it reminds ns of much of the surprise and refreshing luxury we experienced after we had taken onr first " Turkish Bath , " ever so many years ago . Who does not recollect the sensation of buoyancy and light henrtedness when , having escaped from the hands of the " manipulator , " in
the hot room , shampooing-voora and the rest , he has lain turban'd like a Turk over his siesta , revelling in the mingled fragrance of a mild Havannah and a cup of choice Mocha ? Even in the old days , when the appliances of so-called Turkish Baths were crude in form , when the baths themselves were by no means suggestive of the Oriental , nnd
before medical science had been brought to bear upon tho subject of baths as a preservative , ns well as a restorative , of health , they were a luxury to those Avho had the means and leisure fo enjoy them ; but since science and art have combined to develop the therapeutic practice , and to render it capable of being turned to account in so many
ways for the amelioration of disease , the assuaging of pain , and the prevention of ailments which can be arrested by no other means , the study becomes enlarged and vastly mere interesting . For those who ore impelled to" try " baths b y tho physical infirmities under which
they suffer , Ave now find , added to thn popularly understood Turkish Bath , various forms of electric , medicated , warm and cold shower , douche , spray , needle , hi p , plunge , and other baths , each having its peculiar and delicate manipulation and effect ; bnt of these AVO may speak iu more detail later on .
Leaving for a moment a consideration of tho little book referred to at the commencement of this article , let us briefly describe a visit Ave recently paid to the Eoyal York Baths , 51 York-terwce , Ym * kpate , Regent ' s Park , N . W ., through tho courteous invitation of Bro . Dr . Jagielski , the managing director . We had made up our mind
to see something rdcherchd in the stylo and appliances of an establishment Avhich had been carried on for somo years b y Mr . Adolphns , who did so much to bring electric baths into popular favonr ; but confess to an agreeable astonishment at the perfection to which every detail of orranntement has been brought under tho present
management , since the reconstruction of these Baths . The elevation of tho building is undoubtedly one of the finest and most attractive of all the bnths in the metropolis , and the Moorish style of architecture Avhich pervades the interior is in pleasant keeping with every idea of Oriental luxury , elegance and refinement . The threo
doors between the columns of the facade are each separately reserved for lady and gentleman bathers and the private residence of the consulting physician . Thero aro separate waiting-rooms for the sexes , with corridors from each leading to what may be described as tho most luxurious and perfect set of Turkish , electric and medicated
baths to be found anywhere . All the Avails of the baths are built of coloured glazed bricks , tho seats are of Avhito marble , the floors of Italian mosaic ; while all aro easily washed and flushed . The ceilings being all beautiful in design and colour , furnish a pleasing diversion to the bather ' s eye when in a nenmbent position . The door lintels
arc of Sicilian marble , and all tlie woodwork ia of pitch pine ; whilst the architectural ornamentation i . s Moorish , and most beautifull y carried out . The well-appointed needle bath , of pure solid nickel , the douches ascending and descending , hot and cold ; tlie shower , spray , hip , needle , & c , aro all on a level with the rooms ; the shatr . pooer ' s
waiting-room close at hand ; tlio " plunge , " beautifully light aud airy , its Avatev ' s surface rippled by the Avavrs created through the fountain from the Turk shampooer statuette squeezing a sponge . This has been executed by Bro . E . Geflowski , tho well-known sculptor of Briiton-street , W , in beautifully fine Avhite marble . The
coolingroom is not only handsomely designed , but perfectly ventilated , and altogether worthy of the hij-h reputation of the talented architect , Mr . Thomas Durrans , of Upper Baker-street , N . W ., as also the vestiary , with the elegant and lofty dressing-room and o-allerv .
Tho eoolin-r-ivom is most luxurious , the floor being laid Avith Moorish carpet * , delightful easy conches , mirrors , and every elegant Oriental surrounding ; the ventilation is simply unique ; Avhilst hero and there are handsome marble tables , and coffee or tea is served
A Visit To The Royal York Baths.
to those who may wish it—aud Avho does not , after a luxurious Turkish Bath ? Tho vestibulnm is a passage in the pure Moorish architectural style , ending in an alcove . The eroatest and mo't important feature , however , in the whole of tho interior arrangements is the perfect ventilation throughout the
entire suite of apartments , so that no bather can leave them without a pleasant feeling , contrasting most favourably with other baths in London Avhich are described by puff advertisements to b 9 well ventilated , but whose proprietors cannot give ocular demonstration , or explain how this is effected , to thoughtful and investigating bathers . We
havo been into Turkish Baths the atmosphere of which has reminded us more of the sulphuric regions of the underground railway than anything else ; Avhere the skin has been shrivelled up with the dry heat , instead of a healthy perspiration being engendered ; and where , when the hot rooms havo been any way full , the air has been
so vitiated by tho eliminations from the skin and lungs that the pleasure , that had been anticipated from the bath has been turned into nausea , amounting almost to torture . Here , however , all ia changed , and the great difficulty hitherto experienced in the construction of Turkish Baths , namely , tbe maintenance of suitable
ventilation consistent with the heat required and the avoidance of draughts , has been triumphantly overcome . Thus , instead of experiencing headache and languor after the Turkish Bath , as many complain of , unsuspecting that this has been produced by the inhalation of foul air , there is perfect purity , with all
the essential elements required by the bather . A tunnel , seventy feet long , seven feet high , and five feet wide , has been constructed , by means of which an abundant supply of a constant fresh air current ia secured . By introducing tho fresh air through such a large channel into the convoluted heating stove a back draught is impossible , aa
may be seen by holding up the flame of a candle in the direction of the stove . This is assisted on the south-west side by a shaft , which sends doAvn additional fresh air to the other side of the stove , and at last , heated , it penetrates upwards through a huge grate into the Sudatorium or hottest room , and thence diffuses itself into the
Calidarium or hot room , the Tepidarium or warm room , the shampooing , and douche rooms . In each of these there are built exhausting shafts from below the seats , close to the ground , so that all vitiated air which , being heaviest , accumulates here , is extracted constantly throngh patent ventilators . In this way a constant
stream of fresh oxygen is established in the Baths , a most decided and pronounced novelty in London Turkish Baths , where usually , from want of such arrangements , the vitiated air of the bath is again sent throngh the stove at once , whence it returns to be re-breathed , and thus produces unpleasant and unhealthy symptoms in the bathers . The ventilation of the coolins room is also most excellent .
In winter , the fresh air running through the doivn mafts into the grates over the pipes is most successfully heated •whilst in summer the same shafts introduce fresh cooling air into the room when the warming apparatus is not in operation . Electric Baths are a prominent feature in this establishment , and
the most careful study and scientific research have been brought to bear upon them by Dr . Jagielski , who is most assiduous in personally superintending tho institution nnd giving directions for the guidance of bathers when asked to do so . There are 18 separate rooms for these baths , and as they are now so mnch used in therapeutics ,
patients can have them here in the most luxurious style . The command of a large supply of electricity in the warm water baths is extended to , and utilised in , the Royal York Turkish Baths , which is not only novel , but medically and otherwise most important . Tho previous heating and sweating of the body render ifc more
susceptible to the influence of the all-searching fluid . In its appli . cation it can be controlled by the bather or patient to any desirable degree of strength . It can be taken standing , sitting , or reclining , soothing and alleviating pain , and ultimately effecting most remarkable cures . Such are a few of the most salient advantages of
the newly and handsomely reconstructed Baths , Avhich are now under tho immediate supervision of a resident superintending and consulting physician , who will be able to advise patients as to the kind of medicated baths , & c , best suited to their particular requirements . A visit of inspection will convince any one that in the
construction and equipment of the Eoyal York Baths no effort has been spared to secure the convenience of bathers , who are specially invited to observe the following , among other salient points : —( 1 ) The various bath-rooms for electric , warm , and other private baths are placed all along and on both sides of a corridor , warmed in the
cold season by a hot-water apparatus in connection with a separate saddle boiler . ( 2 ) All the rooms of the Turkish Bath are arranged on tho same ground floor , the dressing-boxes alone being placed slightly above their level . In this way no trouble is given to the weak and suffering bather unable to move easily about . ( 3 ) The
light of the whole of the baths is derived from lofty skylights , which can be opened , closed , and ventilated ad libitum . No inconvenience is caused to the eyes , as is the case in most London Turkish Baths , when attempting to read by daylight . ( 4 ) The gas in all the Turkish lloynl York Baths is disconnected from the rooms , thus preventing
tbe vitiating of the air within by the products of its combustion . In addition to the rocommendntiona already enumerated , and they are by no means effusive , something must be said on the score of healthiness of situation . Here again the Eoyal York Baths are peculiarly fortunate . The immediate neighbourhood of the south
side of Regent ' s Park , on the east aide of York Gate , which leads from Marylebone Church , along by the bridge of the Regent ' s Park lake , to the Botanical Gardens , gives the Baths one of the mosfc healthy positions in Loudon . The fresh air in fche Park , wifch the blooming scents exhaled by its trees , shrubs , flowers , meadows and
gardens , tends to make patients forget the dark and sombre streets of the city , Avith their noisy and croAvded surroundings . The greafc elevation of Regent ' s Park , over Oxford-street , Holborn , Piccadill y , the Strand , Thames Embankment , & c , renders the air purer , and more invigorating . The Avhole surroundings of Bayswater , Paddington , St . Jehu ' s Wood , and the neighbourhood , with their widely-