The use of shower baths in schools in England and on the Continent / by Frederick Rose.
- Rose, Frederick.
- Date:
- 1906
Licence: In copyright
Credit: The use of shower baths in schools in England and on the Continent / by Frederick Rose. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![Shower baths will, without doubt, contribute in some degree to the decrease of infectious diseases propagated at schools by raising the general standard of cleanliness and health, thus rendering the children less liable to contract infection. They will be effective in the struggle against verminous conditions in schools. Increased care and clean- liness of clothes and underclothing must inevitably result in a consequent further improvement of the air in schools. Of further importance is the invigorating influence of shower baths, suitably applied, and the consequent increased power of sustained mental effort. These are the benefits which will accrue to our school children during their school life. But the educative effect of shower baths will accompany the great majority throughout their lives. Cleanliness in body brings in its train cleanliness in surroundings, clean- liness in eating and drinking, and purity in all the functions of the body. Viewed in its ultimate aspects the introduction of shower baths will, therefore, in course of time, prove of great value to the individual, to the community in general, and to the future race. It was with deep significance that the founders of the religions of the Indians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Jews, and others enjoined upon their followers the necessity of daily ablutions and frequent baths, and raised these duties to the level of religious observances. I intend in my remarks to confine myself to the question of shower baths in schools. I maintain that they are the most suitable kind of bath for the purpose in view—the provision of at least one bath per week for all children in elementary schools. Shower bath installa- tions or centres are comparatively cheap to equip or build, require no great space and little water, and permit of the greatest number of baths being given per hour. The cost of swimming baths is much greater ; they require more space and water, and it is a popular error to regard them as a means of washing instead of confining them to their true sphere, that of a ])hysical e.xercise of a comj)lete description, combined with a gentle invigoration of the skin. The warm shower baths with soap, followed by a moderately cold douche, is the ideal system for cleansing and stimulating the bodies of school children. The cleansing j)rocess is more thorough than in any other practical system, tlie dirty water is instantly carrietl off, fresh water constantly supplitHl, danger of infec- tion obviated, and the ])hysiological action of the water rendorod most effective. Blii)j)er baths are out of the ques*](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22449516_0006.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
