BATHING. • "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean."-2 Kings v. 10.
It were well for mankind if the prophetic command given to Naaman were followed more generally with reference to our bodily health.
" Cleanliness is next to Godliness," so says the old proverb. This was fully realized under the Mosaic dispensation, as we learn from Holy Writ that the Jews bathed regularly in running waters, and washing was generally interwoven with the Temple ceremonies. The ancients had recourse to their famous rivers for bathing constantly, and it appears many countries required their citizens to comply with the practice, as absolutely necessary, not only to health, but also to the full development of the physical faculties of the human body, and applied to both sexes. The public and private baths of the Romans were particularly luxurious. As far back as the year 312 B.C., the Pricina, Publica, or public baths, were constructed near the Circus Maximus, in the Roman capital. These baths had an abundant and constant supply of pure water from the Appian aqueduct. Next, small public, as well as private, baths were constructed, and with the Empire more luxurious forms of bathing were introduced, and warm baths became more popular.
The Canadian people are, as a rule, cleanly in their habits ; yet there are many among us who, from the want of proper facilities for indulging in the luxury of a bath, have never been washed since their mothers performed that operation upon them in the old " family tub."
A very moderate acquaintance with the nature and action of the skin is sufficient to prove that bathing ought not to be regarded as a, luxury, but as an absolute necessity to preserving the organs of the body in a state of health, and it is the best possible preventive for warding off colds with, too often, all their serious consequences.
The immense extension of the city of Toronto within the last few years, with its corresponding increase of manufacturing concerns, has drawn quite an army of mechanics and their assistant workers to reside with us. The nature of their hard work renders a full bath frequently necessary ; but until very recently there was no public bath available for them. Now that the Victoria Bath is open to the public, on Huron St., there is little doubt but so great a boon will soon be largely enjoyed, and as the benefits conferred become more thoroughly appreciated, no doubt the erection of other baths will be proceeded with from time to time as necessity is shown to exist in the different districts of the city.
The good example set by the "Queen City of the West" in this most important matter, it is hoped, will be extensively followed by other cities and towns in Canada.