Also vapo[u]r bath.
1. A bath consisting of vapor. (Cf. VAPOROUS a. 1.) Also, an apartment in which a bath of this kind is used.
1719. Quincy, Phys. Dict. (1722), 8. Æstuary, a kind of Vapour-Bath.
1766. Smollett, Trav., xxxii. II. 135. They likewise indulged in vapour-baths, in order to enjoy a pleasing relaxation.
1802. Med. Jrnl., VIII. 57. A machine for conveying a vapour bath to diseased limbs.
1843. Sir C. Scudamore, Med. Visit Gräfenberg, 12. Some persons argue that the vapor bath is quite as useful as the blanket.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 579. Vapour baths help not only to remove the scales [etc.].
b. transf. A thing or place comparable to a bath of this kind.
1800. Med. Jrnl., IV. 46. This kind of internal and highly inflammable vapour-bath is ever ready to catch fire.
1838. Col. Hawker, Diary (1893), II. 148. The last Drawing Room of the season; so of course an awful crowd and a vapour bath.
1864. Trevelyan, Compet. Wallah, 152. One day in August, when all Chowringhee is a vast vapour-bath.
2. Chem. A vessel or receptacle in which hot vapor is generated in order to heat or melt a substance.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Vaporosum Balneum, or Vapour-bath, in Chymistry, a Term applied to a Chymist’s Bath, or Heat, wherein the Body is placed so as to receive the Fumes of boiling Water.
1844. G. Bird, Urin. Deposits (1857), 18. Evaporate an ounce … over a spirit-lamp without the interposition of the vapour-bath.
1891. Science-Gossip, XXVII. 95. I have … used gelatine…, melting it like glue in a vapour bath.
Hence Vapo[u]r-bathing.
1766. J. Symons (title), Observations on Vapor-Bathing.
