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The Metropolitian Baths - the Douche and Shower Bath Room, 1858. '...there has scarcely existed in the metropolis [ie London] a convenient bathing establishment [however]...a company has established...and placed under the effective management of Mr. H. Mahomed, son of the celebrated Brighton regisseur des bains, a luxuriously-appointed system of baths, [called] the Metropolitan. Whether you are healthy or ailing...here you may refresh your mind, renovate your energies, soothe your excitable temperament, dispel your hypochondriac fancies, or render hardier and more active the already hardy and active frame. You may subject yourself to medicated vapours, deliciously and subtly fragrant, which will purify your blood and invigorate your system, or bring down upon any offending limb the thud of the douche; or be kneaded - we mean shampooed - with Indian oils; or try experiments with a warm shower or a cold shower, Russian or Turkish, Vichy, Barege, or Harrogate. You may he sulphurised, and steamed, and odised. Hot air or hot water, medicated vapour, or medicated water - you may take your own choice, or follow your physician's instructions, and be eternally indebted to the skill of Mr. Mahomed and the liberality of the Metropolitan Baths Company'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)