Keeping the body clean is indispensable for the preservation of good
health, through obtaining an operation of the skin and expelling matter
whose presence aids in the development of diseases. It is unfortunately
necessary to say that, considering the population as a whole, the
proportion of those who take baths is very small. This is due to the
fact that the habit of cleanliness, which should become a necessity, has
not been early inculcated in every individual; and the reason that this
complement to education is not realized is because the means of
satisfying its exigencies are usually wanting.
We shall not speak of the improved processes that are used solely by the
rich or well-to-do, as these become impracticable where it is a question
of the working classes or of large masses of individuals. It is, in
fact, the last named category that interests us, and we are convinced
that if we get young soldiers and children to hold dirtiness in horror,
we shall be sure that they will later on take care of their bodies
themselves.
The most tempting solution of this question of washing seems to be found
in the use of large pools of running tepid water; but such a process is
too costly for general use, and the most economical one, without doubt,
consists in giving tepid douches.
[Illustration: TEPID WATER DOUCHE]
To our knowledge, the only apparatus in this line that has been devised
was exhibited last year at the exhibition of hygiene in the Loban
barracks. It has been used daily for six years in several garrisons, and
therefore has the sanction of practice.
This apparatus, which is due to Mr. Herbet, consists of a steam boiler
and of an ejector fixed to a reservoir of water and provided with a
rubber tube to which a nozzle is attached. The steam generated in the
boiler passes into the ejector, sucks up the water and forces it out in
a tepid state.
The apparatus thus established did not sufficiently fulfill the purpose
for which it was designed. It was necessary to have a means of varying
the temperature of the water projected, according to the season and
temperature of the air, to have an instantaneous and simple method of
regulating the apparatus, that could be understood by any operator, and
to have the apparatus under the control of the person holding the
nozzle. These difficulties have been solved very simply by causing the
orifice of the nozzle to vary. This nozzle, from whence the jet escapes,
is formed of rings that screw together. When the nozzle is entire, the
jet escapes at a temperature of say 40°. When the first ring is
unscrewed, the water will make its exit at a temperature of 38°. In
order to lower the temperature still further, it is only necessary to
unscrew the other rings in succession, until the desired temperature has
been obtained.
As it is, the apparatus is rendering great services where it has been
introduced; for example, at Besancon and Belfort. It serves, in fact,
for an entire garrison, while that before, the washing was done in each
regiment, thus requiring the use of much space and causing much loss of
time.
Eight men are washed at once for five minutes, say 96 men per hour.
Every minute the men turn right about face, and when they are in file
each rubs the other's back.
Twenty-two pounds of coal and 260 gallons of water are consumed per
hour, and the boiler produces 130 lb. of steam.--_Le Genie Civil_.
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