VAPOUR-BATH, in chemistry, a term applied to a chemist's bath or heat, wherein a body is placed so as to receive the fumes of boiling water. It consists of two vessels, disposed over one another in such manner as that the vapour raised from the water contained in the lower heats the matter inclosed in the upper. It is very commodious for the distilling of odiferous waters, and the drawing of spirit of wine.
We also use the term vapour-bath, when a sick person is made to receive the vapours arising from some liquid matter placed over a fire. Many contrivances have been proposed for this purpose; and their expediency and utility are best known to those who are conversant in this business. A late writer has suggested a new construction of vapour-baths; and the whole apparatus is reduced to a tin-boiler, tin pipes wrapped in flannel, and a deal box with a cotton cover, for the reception of the body and circulation of the vapour.