This lantern slide, “Flea Baths in Belgium (1919),” shows a group of soldiers waiting in line to receive flea baths in an old Chateau in Belgium. Toward the bottom of the image, a man is visible sitting in a washtub, while a worker scrubs his back. The man on the far right of the line is naked and holding a towel. Behind them is the Y.M.C.A. emblem.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
During World War I, baths had to be arranged on a massive scale with whole battalions queuing to use the facilities. These might be abandoned breweries or anywhere that large tubs or vats could be found. As well as baths, arrangements had to be made for the distribution of clean or new clothes where necessary and the fumigation of uniforms to kill lice and fleas. This slide is part of Springfield College’s collection of lantern slides depicting Australian Y.M.C.A. war work during World War I. There is a location given, both on the slide and on the border of the slide, but the exact text was unable to be deciphered and the exact location is in doubt, original cataloger thought that it was an old chateau in "Mochilesse."
Minor damage to image; Text on border may read, "Aust. Y.M.C.A. Hist. Rec. Sect.; Aust. Y.M.C.A. Flea Batchs; Old Chateau Mochilesse, Belgium."
Part of the Australian Y.M.C.A. WWI Lantern Slide Series