Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria looks below the surface and probes
the more hidden aspects of the history of spas and their secret sides.
A spa nowadays can be anything from a hot tub in the back garden to an
exotic beach resort offering mindfulness and yoga.
New spas are opening around the world at a rate of 8,000 a year and
there are now over 150,000 'spa locations' and contributing $120 billion
annually to the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy. This book is
about the historic, traditional spas of Europe. They include such well
known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton and Harrogate
in Britain; Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Wiesbaden in Germany; Vichy and
Aix-les-Bains in France and many more.
Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria looks below the surface and probes
the more hidden aspects of the history of spas and their secret sides.
Not only were they always sanctuaries of relaxation, but also places to
treat melancholia and hypochondria, entertain mistresses and 'cure'
sterility.