Luxurious Bathing

A practical, illustrated sketch surveys historical and contemporary bathing methods and recommends the soap-bath—vigorous lathering with hot water followed by a rapid cold plunge—as the most healthful and enjoyable routine for many constitutions. It explains technique and equipment (soap, gloves, towels, plunge-baths), contrasts other forms such as vapour, Turkish, and cold-air bathing, and notes precautions like wetting the head, avoiding prolonged immersion, and exceptions for serious heart or lung conditions. The text links regular soap ablutions to cleanliness and contagion prevention, describes sensory and restorative effects, and offers domestic advice for making bathing both effective and luxurious.