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Hot Tub Spa
History Through The Ages
The Greeks:
Mineral and thermal baths showed up later in history around 500 B.C. in Greece. The early
Greek baths were built near natural hot springs or volcanoes. Greek celebrities and the
elite would meet at these natural hot springs to exchange philosophical views and treat
physical ailments. Plato considered anyone who did not know how to swim as uneducated.
Hippocrates (460-375 BC), believed to be the founder of medicine, recommended hydrotherapy
for the treatment of disorders such as jaundice and rheumatism.
The Romans:
The Romans also enjoyed the mineral waters, but the ancient Roman baths were more
recreational areas used by hundreds of citizens at a time as opposed personal hygiene and
aquatic therapy. Stone bath tubs were serviced by elaborate aqueduct systems carrying
mineral waters throughout complex private rooms, steam rooms and public baths. The largest
of all Roman baths was the Diocletian. It was completed in A.D. 305 and covered an area of
130,000 sq. yards.
Romans would first go to the unctuarium where they had oil rubbed
onto their skin. Next they would move to the tepidarium or warm room where they would lie
around chatting. From there, it was on to the hot and steamy caldarium, similar to a
Turkish bath. Here they sat and perspired, scraping their skin with a curved metal tool
know as a strigil. After a dip in the calidarium (hot bath) they would take a quick dip in
the frigidarium (cold bath).
During the fall of the Roman Empire, many of the bath resorts were
destroyed. Many of the baths were revived during the Middle Ages, but declined in use due
to poor hygienic conditions and the spread of infectious diseases.
The Spa:
Once part of the Roman Empire (now east of Belgium), the town of Spa is where the word
"spa" was derived. To this day, the town is still a well known resort for baths
and mineral springs. The word "spa" (originally Hungarian) became a generic
expression referring to natural mineral springs and surrounding areas where people came to
relax and take "The Cure".
The British:
The waters of Bath, England were used for healing purposes from about 800 B.C. and the
British royalty continued to use the waters well into the 20th century. Around 1589
according to historians, Queen Elizabeth I insisted on bathing at least once a month,
"whether she needed it or not". Five baths were established within the town
including the King's Bath and Cross Bath which became a popular spa with lepers and
rheumatics.
The waters of Bath are 120 degrees Fahrenheit, generate over one
million gallons of mineral water per day and contain over thirty elements including
calcium, sulfur, potassium and magnesium. One interesting fact is that the water has a
slight radioactive background reading.
The Japanese:
A family custom for centuries in Japan is the "ofuro" or hot water bathing in
freestanding wooden tubs. Occupational forces brought the knowledge of this custom back
home with them after World War II.
The United States:
Native Americans enjoyed the health benefits of natural springs even before European
settlers arrived in the New World. In many instances, these natural springs were used for
magical and religious purposes as well as hygienic. One of the oldest spas in North
American colonies is believed to have been in Berkeley Springs (later known as Warm
Springs) of West Virginia.
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