- Electric bath
The term Electric bath applies to various devices:
* An
electrically heatedsteam bath . Often, these devices were given the the name "portableTurkish bath ".* An early form of
tanning bed , which was used on theTitanic and in various light care institutes.* A cabinet in which
ultraviolet light is applied to the user via lamps. These were often upstanding variations of the commonelectric bath . They continue to exist today.----
The electric bath as an early
tanning bed was an old sunbed device designed and produced by the German firm ofHeraeus , which produced variousultraviolet lamps in the early 1900s, as well as a particular self-standing horizontal reclining tanning device known as the electric bath.The electric bath consisted of a wooden stand which held an
electrical power supply. Above the wooden stand was a green sheet-metal cabinet lid which held manyultraviolet lamps, and four additional lamps which could be set into the lid and hooked in with metallic clamps. The additional lamps were placed on either side of the bath lid, as well as at the end to provide the user with extra tanning around the arm and feet areas.Users would open the lid, recline on a metallic surface placed upon the wooden stand, and close the lid. Often, a bath attendant would set the
timer on the bath to a specified time, and the lamps would light up, sending waves ofultraviolet rays at the users skin, creating a tan.The early models of the
Heraeus electric bath were quite dangerous, as conditions such asskin cancer were not known to be caused by theultraviolet rays given off by the lamps during the time period they were used in the device. Care had to be taken that the device was used in moderation. Many users survived and enjoyed the experience, although various recounts include mentions of being burnt, most likely caused by staying in the recliner for more than the recommended time of 30 minutes.The electric bath was used on the
Titanic inside theTurkish bath s. Women could use the bath through morning hours, and men could use it during afternoon and evening hours. A ticket was required to use the bath, and could be purchased from the bath attendants for a modern equivalent of one dollar.The bath was also included in the game by
Cyberflix . It featured a frightening sequence of a young man being electrocuted in the bath. It was used in the game as asteam bath rather than a tanning bed.----
References
http://www.rmstitanic.net/index.php4?page=94
http://www.jamd.com/search?assettype=g&assetid=3352210&text=electric+bath
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
