Incursiune în istoria întreținerii sănătății prin apă în Romania

Abstract

In Romania, bathing in mineral waters has an impressive history and popularity from time immemorial. In the Hippocratic epoch bathing served body cleansing and well-being, general hygiene purposes, and treating a wide range of diseases. Also inspired by these ideas, the Romans built their own thermae frequently near mineral and thermal springs even in conquered territories. In Dacia, they further developed thermal and mineral baths the Dacians already knew and used. In the Middle Ages, the culture of bathing declined. Under the influence of the Moors and Turks, in several cities «Turkish-style» public baths (hammam) appeared. Renaissance and Enlightenment brought about a new vision concerning bathing. Mineral springs began to be scientifically studied. In the XIXth and XXth centuries the culture of bathing flourished. A series of scientific societies were founded which contributed to this process. Today spa (salus per aqua) therapy is attracting great attention from many medical specialties.