As soon as the holidays start, many families begin to plan how they will be able to consume the precious rest days that mark the beginning and end of the year. In many cases, the beach trip is one of the most requested. Proof of this is that Brazil has an extensive coastal strip that, every year, is occupied by a wave of tourists from various parts of Brazil and the world. However, those who think that this frisson of sand and sea water has always existed are mistaken.
The use of the beach as a leisure space began in the mid-18th century. At that time, a renowned British physician named John Floyer carried out research investigating the therapeutic properties that water could have. In his investigations, recorded in a publication called “History of Cold Bath”, he ended up reaching the conclusion that salt water would have an extensive capacity to reverse diseases which even included the paralysis.
The work, written at the beginning of the 18th century, ended up not having much impact among the European population at that time. Half a century later, in the year 1749, the British Richard Frewin, a professional colleague, reinforced the theories dressings of sea bathing when performing the description of a cure obtained by this type of treatment still experimental. From then on, bathing in the sea ended up being used as a treatment for a number of physical and mental illnesses.
In the 19th century, bathing in the sea already attracted a large number of sick people and fostered another number of publications in the same field of medical knowledge. In Brazil, beach therapy was used by King Dom João VI, who had the recommended sea bath to cure an infected wound on his leg. Following the recommendation, D. João made several visits to the Caju paria and there ended up solving the discomfort that afflicted him.
At that time, as the customs of the Royal Family were followed as a fashion, several bathrooms were opened in Rio de Janeiro. In this way, we can ironically see that Dom João VI was not only one of those responsible for the opening of Brazilian ports in the early nineteenth century. His quest for better health also turned out to be a way in which the monarch inaugurated the use of our so rich and extensive coastline.
By Rainer Sousa
Master in History
Brazil School Team
Curiosities - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/curiosidades/praia-uma-diversao-recente.htm
