The houses of the Stepp Tatars are often dug in the ground, to such a depth as to require only roofing to complete them. These being impervious to the air, are warmer in winter, and cooler in summer, than the usual huts, which are built ofwood and plastered.
It is singular that, during the whole of my residence at Karagoss, 1 have never seen or heard of the small-pox among the Tatars, though theGreeks in the immediate neighbourhood have had it with great virulence. Vaccination is practised in the towns, but in the villages it is received slowly and unwillingly.
The use of vapour baths is very general, both among the Tatars and Russians, who heat them, however, in a different manner. The Tatar bath generally consists of three rooms, the innermost s ofwhich is heated by the steam from a copper of boiling water : this is admitted into the apartment by a door, and the heat is regulated by numerous smallwindows in adome above, which are removed and replaced at pleasure.
The outer room is used for dressing, and the second contains two or three water-baths, for those who prefer that mode ofbathing.
The Russian bath is heated by a trench full of stones, which are rendered red-hot by a furnace below. From water thrown upon these, the necessary vapour is created; and as the heat is greater the nearer one approaches to the roof, there is always a flight of steps in the room, by ascending which, any requisite degree may be obtained.