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1929
40
swimming pool which could be fitted up with lockers and the
boots and stockings stored. This room leads directly to the
deep end of the first class swimming pool. It would require an
attendant there, but the only entrance could be made at that door,
and an extra attendant would not be amiss in the busy part of the day
Another advantage of this arrangement would be that the pressure
on the capacity of the bath would be relieved during busy periods,
because less time would be spent in the boxes, dressing and
undressing. An objection has been raised to this proposal on
account of the restrictions which it would impose upon the bathers
and any restrictions might interfere adversely with the attendances
Everybody is most anxious to popularise swimming and nothing
should be unreasonably done to affect adversely the attendances
at the baths, but I am inclined to think the only persons who
would resent such a procedure would be those who would be
ashamed to have their feet seen. In time most of those who
attended would have washed their feet before coming to the bath
or would use the shower bath before entering the pool. Once the
public appreciated that everything was being done to provide clean
water and to keep it clean in the swimming pool, the effect of any
re sonable restrictions would rather be an increase in the popularity
of the baths.
Costumes are a source of dirt and more particularly of
discolouration of the water. In former years the rule was observed
that new costumes were not allowed to be used unless they had
been previously steeped in boiling water; as the ladies' costumes
became more elaborate this rule was not so strictly observed.
But it is no infrequent sight to see a trail of colour in the wake of
a swimmer using a new costume. Fortunately the new elaborate
bathing costumes are made of some woollen material and this is
not so likely to lose its colour as cotton. It is necessary to make
some regulation to prevent the use of new coloured bathing costumes
which are liable to lose their dye until they have been
steeped in boiling water.
In the Report of the Ministry of Health considerable
importance is attached to the efficient washing and sterilisation of
bathing slips and especially towels. In our baths we have the
means to wash and sterilise the slips and towels, but the Committee
should consider the question whether temporary additional
labour should not be secured during the rush periods.
From a health point of view, possibly the most serious
source of pollution is from the persons of the bathers. The water
of swimming baths is liable to be contaminated from the various
secretions and excretions of the bathers using the bath, and also
with living bacteria from the same sources. Contaminating
organic matter is present on the skin of bathers, especially during