BATHS AND BATHING. 502. The best materials for constructing baths, are slabs of polished marble, bedded with water-tight cement, in a wooden case, and carefully united at the edges. But, as white or veined marble baths are apt to get yellow or discolored by frequent use, and cannot easily be cleaned, large Dutch tiles, or square pieces of white earthenware, are sometimes substituted; these, however, are with difficulty kept water-tight, so that marble is altogether preferable. Copper, or tinned iron plates, are also used; the former is more expensive at the outset, but far more durable than the latter, which is also liable to leakage at the joints, unless excellently made. Both copper and iron should be well covered, in and outside, with several coats of paint. Wooden tubs--square, oblong, or oval--are sometimes used for warm baths, and are cheap and convenient; but the wood contracts a mouldy smell, and there is great difficulty in preventing shrinkage in them, and keeping them water-tight. The fittest place for baths, is the bed-room floor; they are sometimes placed in the basement story, which is cold and damp, and in all weather disagreeable. Due attention should be paid to the warming and ventilation of the bath-room. A temperature of 70 degrees, by the thermometer, should be kept up in it; and ventilation is requisite, to prevent the moisture settling upon the walls and furniture. An improvement in the construction of baths, is a slightly hollowed space at one end, to receive the head of the bather, so as to prevent that sensation of cramp which is often experienced from the ordinary, abrupt shape of a bath. The hand is a very uncertain test for the heat of water, and should, therefore, not be relied on in preparing a bath; but a thermometer should be employed, which will denote the actual temperature, thus:-- Cold bath, from 32° to 75° of Fahrenheit. Tepid " " 75 to 92 " " Warm " " 92 to 98 " " Hot " " 98 to 114 " " Vapor " " 100 to 140 " " 503. _Hand Shower-Bath._--An excellent hand shower-bath for children, has been invented. It consists of a metal vessel, containing about a gallon, the bottom of which is pierced with holes, while the upper part is open, and provided with a handle. When intended to be used, the vessel is immersed in a pail of water, and it quickly fills from the lower part. The thumb is placed over the aperture at the apex, which prevents all escape of water. It may be held at a convenient distance over the child, and the moment the thumb is removed, there falls a refreshing shower, which may be stopped instantaneously, by placing the thumb over the upper opening.