The Steamie

None of the old wash-houses ever looked like this.

A visit to the dentist today for my yearly amalgam fix. This is the area used for sterilising the dental equipment and it sits within the waiting room along with the patients. Apparently the requirement in law now is that the equipment cannot be washed or 'steamed' in the treatment room in case we contract mad cow disease, hence 'The Steamie'. An intriguing design that incorporates seating, it contrasts with the rather splendid Georgian room that contains it. I quite like it but the seats aren't very comfortable it has to be said.

It's named after the old wash-houses that used to be part of every town and city throughout the UK. In Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, these wash-houses were known as the "Steamie" where the week washing was done and some of these wash-houses were still operating in the 60's.

A stage play, later adapted for TV was written by Tony Roper and was shown every Hogmanay in Scotland for years, but alas no more. Nothing used to sell like nostalgia...