The Rev. W. Weston, in the course of a paper
on " The Geography of Japan," read before the Geographical Society on Monday, stated some facts which, so far as we know, are new in the history of hygiene. In the mountains there are many hot mineral springs, nestling generally in gullies below the highest points, but still far up the ascents. The peasantry are very fond of these baths, and indulge in them to an in- credible extent. The temperature is usually from 100° to 130° Fahr., and in one place Mr. Weston knew of, "where the water was just about blood-heat, a man would stay in practi- cally for a month on end, taking care, however, to place a heavy stone on his knees, to keep him from floating or turn- ing over in his sleep. The caretaker of this particular establishment, a cheery old man of some seventy summers, himself stayed in the bath the whole winter through." We know from the experience of the South Sea Islands, that a human being can live in warm sea-water for thirty-six hours ; but that life can be maintained practically for months in sulphuretted fresh water is an addition to the records of human endurance. One wonders what other qualities of fish such men possess. Are there Japanese who can stay ten minutes under water P
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