same way; the only difference being the water, which in this bath is
tepid; _i. e._ ordinarily 62 or 63 deg. of Fahrenheit, sometimes as high
as 76 deg. In ordinary cases eight or ten minutes are sufficient, though
in gout I have known it continued for hours. Great friction, except in
eruptive cases, is applied the whole time.
The temperature during the use of this bath must be gradually diminished
by the addition of cold water. After rubbing the body for a short time,
the attendant throws a can of cold water on the head and shoulders and
then renews the friction, a process repeated until inflammation and pain
has subsided. If the patient feels weak or tired under the operation, he
is allowed to come out for a few minutes and then begin again. It is
customary with Priessnitz to put all new-comers into a tepid bath for
one or two minutes, then into the cold plunge bath and back to the
tepid. By these means he judges of their powers of re-action, and
prescribes accordingly.
Tepid baths are always used in eruptive cases. All practitioners would
do well to begin with these baths and proceed by degrees to colder ones.
Every day's experience teaches Priessnitz the value of tepid baths.
Whenever these baths are ordered--for instance for fifteen
minutes--instead of taking the whole at once, the dose is administered
_à trois reprises_. After the first five minutes, the patient gets out
of the bath and walks about the room, covered with a dry sheet, until he
gains a little life and activity in the joints, which will be effected
in two or three minutes. He then returns to the bath, and after the next
five minutes the same process is repeated. After the third process, the
patient is dried and walks about the room in the dry sheet for a short
time, by way of taking an air bath. This is an important modification in
the use of this bath. When patients are feeble and not able to support a
bath so long as is often necessary to remove the attack, of whatever
nature it may be, by dividing it in the way described, nature recovers
herself a little during each rest, and the sufferer is thus enabled to
take the whole; whereas, without any such pauses, the demand made on his
strength might be too great. With children this mode of treatment is
particularly observed.
XXV.--BANDAGES, OR UMSCHLAGS.
Bandages fulfil two objects diametrically opposed to each other, viz.,
to calm and to stimulate. One object is effected by leaving a good deal
of water in the bandage, not covering it with a dry one, and changing it
as soon as hot. The other by wringing the bandage well out, covering it
with a dry one and only changing it when dry.
1st. The more heat there is in the intestines the quicker the body
bandages act.
2nd. Outward cold applications cause a fresh generation of heat.
3rd. By keeping the skin moist, these bandages cause the exudation of
peccant humours and eliminate the excess of caloric.
4th. They equalise the temperature of the intestines, and keep up a
healthy action in them.
5th. Wherever there is inflammation, their application and renewal
lowers the temperature, and their moisture causes the healing of
sores or wounds.
Those most in use, may be termed heating bandages. That for the waist,
is worn day and night. It is 8-1/2 feet long; eight or nine inches wide,
with a double tape at the end to tie it with. To be put on with
facility, it ought to be rolled up like a surgeon's bandage, beginning
at the tape end. Then as much should be wetted and wrung out as will go
once round the body, which the remaining part will cover. The chest
bandages are made of coarse linen, _doubled_, in the shape of a
breast-plate, to fit the chest and the throat, tied with three pair of
tapes, one round the neck, under the arms, and round the waist. There
must be two breast-plates, one to button into the other: the smaller to
be wetted, the larger to be dry.
In the water-cure the waist bandage is changed in the morning, at noon,
in the afternoon, and on going to bed.
A clammy heat almost immediately succeeds the application of this
bandage: a sensation which one soon becomes accustomed to. Large or
small bandages of this nature are applied in an infinity of cases. Those
afflicted with complaints of the throat or chest, wear the chest bandage
at night. Bandages are also applied to the feet and legs as derivatives;
and to all wounds, bruises, diseased parts, or wherever pain is felt.
The humid heat of these bandages has a stimulating and absorbent
property; they relieve the body of superfluous heat, and extract
vitiated matters from the parts to which they are applied, as is
frequently seen by the water in which they are washed. Moreover, they
regulate the bowels, kidnies[sic], &c.
Mercury is constantly drawn from the pores in these bandages.--Prince
Leichtenstein, who had rubbed a light green ointment into his leg twelve
months previously to going to Gräfenberg, found that for a fortnight it
came out of the flesh by means of these bandages. Some medical men are
sceptical on this subject: to be convinced of the truth let such go to
Gräfenberg, where they may have constant evidence of the fact.
These bandages assuage pain, and aid in curing--better than ointments
and plaisters[sic]. It is in vain that we seek to cure malignant ulcers
retained in the system by impure blood with ointments. At Gräfenberg
this is effected by the general cure, in which these bandages occupy so
prominent a part.
These bandages are used by every patient, and must be renewed after
every application of the treatment. If not mentioned in any of the
following cases, the omission is unintentional, and those for the waist
and diseased parts must be applied notwithstanding.
To any one who has never been in a Water-cure establishment, the
application of these bandages will doubtless appear fraught with danger;
but so little is this the case, that they are applied to age and
decrepitude, to infants as soon as born, and to persons of weak,
nervous, and delicate constitutions.
So far from colds being produced by these bandages, when covered with
dry ones, we find invalids almost entirely encased in them nightly for
months together. Let any one in pain, or who has a sore throat, try
them, and he will soon be a convert to our opinion.
In inflammation, congestion of the blood, head-aches, burns, scalds, and
wounds, until inflammation subsides, bandages without dry ones over them
are used.
For this purpose, linen several times doubled, is wetted in cold water
and placed upon the parts affected, where it remains until hot, and then
is renewed until the disease ceases for which it was applied.
Sometimes these bandages are changed every ten minutes. In cases of
wounds or fractures, sitz-baths accompany these bandages, as together
they keep down inflammation.
In inflammation and fever, and in all cases of sickness, discomfort,
pain or cramps, a larger bandage than usual is required: this is a sheet
folded up and applied from the arm-pits to the thighs, and changed
frequently. This large bandage is frequently ordered at night to sleep
in, instead of the smaller one.
A gentleman, greatly afflicted, was packed up at night in a wet sheet,
with a blanket loosely bound round him, his arms and feet being left
free. This afforded him relief from pain. Of course, care was taken that
perspiration did not ensue. In the morning the patient took his usual
treatment.
The following interesting fact, confirming the advantage of bandages, is
related in Baron Larry's "Memoir of the Russian Campaign." "An officer
underwent amputation of an arm, after which the surgeon lost sight of
him for some time. Two years subsequently, he met the officer in the
saloons of Paris, who stated, that his wound had been completely cured
by the constant application of cold wet bandages, which he wetted at the
different rivulets he met with in his retreat, without any other
application whatever."
In a Water-cure Establishment bandages are applied wherever pain or
inconvenience is felt. Sometimes a patient has his legs, thighs, loins,
and perhaps an arm or his head encased in them at one time, and so
sleeps without any precautions as to increasing the amount of his
covering.
A well-known English Gentleman caught leprosy in the East. Whilst under
treatment at Gräfenberg, he slept in a pair of wet pantaloons, and a wet
waistcoat covered with dry ones every night. The dry covering soon
became wet, as did the blanket, when the patient felt chilly and
uncomfortable, yet no cold resulted. The blanket which was used as a
covering attracted the humidity. Priessnitz ordered a second blanket to
be put over the first, which absorbed the damp from the first. After a
couple of hours this was taken off and the under blanket was found dry:
thus the patient was relieved of his discomfort.
A Gentleman afflicted with Lumbago was advised to bathe in the
Serpentine in winter. After having done so, he dipped his shirt in the
water, wrung it out, and put it on, then buttoning up well and putting
on a great-coat and a large neckcloth, he proceeded briskly to Hampstead
and back; this produced great heat, and cured the lumbago. These
circumstances lead to the conviction that dangers attending the
application of wet linen to our bodies, are less real than is
represented. Thus, the airing of linen before a fire previous to wearing
it, is of no advantage; the slight damp in it, on the contrary, excites
the skin, and is more beneficial than otherwise.
One thing the reader's attention must be called to as an
incontrovertible fact. No person ever caught a cold or suffered
inconvenience from the application of wet sheets or bandages in the
Water-cure.
XXVI.--DIET.
"It is not the plenty of meat," says Dr. Scott, "that nourishes, but a
good digestion; neither is it the abundance of wealth that makes us
happy, but the discreet using of it."
Whilst under treatment, patients partake of three meals, breakfast,
dinner, and supper. The breakfast and supper consist of bread, butter,
milk and fruit. Dinner ought to consist of plain food, that is to say,
roast and boiled meat, poultry and vegetables, puddings and fruits; fish
and soup are not recommended.
Priessnitz is not an advocate for what is considered highly nourishing
food; he contends that quantity is more essential than quality. The act
of feeding causes the stomach, like other members of the body, to
perform its office.
A written case was presented to him of a person treating himself.
Priessnitz approved of what was doing, until he came to where it was
stated the patient ate roast beef and mutton daily--through this he
struck his pen. This opinion of Priessnitz's seems confirmed by Dr.
Beaumont of the United States, who made some useful experiments upon a
young man named ---- Martin, who was desperately, though not mortally,
wounded, by the discharge of a gun, the contents of which entered the
chest, and passed through the integuments of the stomach, so that the
whole process of digestion was laid open to observation. The most
important inferences arrived at by the doctor, from his observations,
were--
1st.--_That all stimulating condiments are injurious to the healthy
stomach._
2ndly.--_That the use of ardent spirits if preserved in, produces
disease in the stomach._
3rdly.--_That bulk as well as nutriment is necessary to the articles of
diet._
4thly.--_That the digestibility of aliment does not depend upon the
quantity of nutritient principles it contains._
Dr. Beaumont further adds, "Here we have incontestable proof, that
disease of the stomach was induced, and going on from bad to worse, in
consequence of indulgence in ardent spirits, _although no prominent
symptom made its appearance_, and ---- Martin was, in his general habits,
a healthy and sober man."
I put the following questions to Mr. Priessnitz:--"Is it requisite to
eat meat every day?" "Yes, whilst under the treatment, because of the
waste which the operations and consequent exertions occasion." "In cases
of obstinate constipation, animal food must be partaken of sparingly?"
"When not under Hydropathic treatment, meat should not be indulged in
every day, except where parties are subjected to great exertion or hard
labour, and even then it is better to avoid it occasionally. In fact,
people would be more healthy if they only eat meat on alternate days,
and if all their food were cold instead of hot."
From the habitual use of hot aliments the lining coat of the throat and
stomach becomes distended and weak--hence bronchitis and weak digestion.
To the question as to drinking water. Priessnitz said, "Drink
plentifully at every meal, finish by a tumbler or two, and don't fail
drinking five or six glasses daily."
Experience which is better than a thousand theories, proves that after
partaking of indigestible food, or eating too much, a few glasses of
water relieve the stomach. One is at a loss to conceive why people
should avoid drinking water at their meals, since none suffer from its
use, and Nature seems to require it. Those who feel indisposed, by
abstaining from food altogether for a day and drinking water, may
frequently avoid a serious illness.
Butter is fat food and bad for delicate digestions. The leaner the food
the better, to restore tone to the stomach and bowels. To people of
strong digestions this does not apply.
If we look around us, we find that three-fourths of the human family
live and labour, and digest, without tasting animal food; that the
remaining fourth, who indulge in it, do more homage to Apothecaries'
Hall than all the rest. But it is argued, much depends upon climate:
then how shall we reconcile the rice of the East, the potato of Ireland,
the oatmeal of Scotland, and the rye-bread of Poland? We can easily
understand people in hot countries living upon rice, maccaroni[sic],
etc.; but if what we understand by the term, nutritious food, is
absolutely indispensable, how reconcile ourselves to the potato as the
only food for the largest portion of the inhabitants of Ireland? Rye,
which is the staff of life to the Poles, is a grain next in degree to
wheat; then follow barley and oats. Potatoes are the very worst and
lowest description of food. Rye-bread is as manna sent from heaven, in
comparison with oatmeal, the chief food of the highlands of Scotland;
yet we see strong healthy people in Ireland and Scotland, living solely
upon these to a fine old age, without the assistance of the
Pharmacopœia.
Does not this prove Mr. Priessnitz is right, when he says quantity is
more essential than quality?
The great mass of mankind live on vegetable diet, which comprehends all
the products of the earth. An author tells us, "Recent discoveries have
shewn that vegetables contain the same elements as flesh: the same
gluten, albumen, fibrin, and oily matters that exist in a beefsteak, are
also found in our esculent vegetables."
Experience proves that vegetable diet is lighter and less liable to
bring on disease, than one in which animal food largely prevails.
From an early period the philosophers of Greece,--from amongst whom we
may cite Zeno, Plutarch, Porphyrus, and Plautinus,--advocated and
practised an exclusively vegetable diet. The Pythagorean sages
inculcated the same: hence the prevalence of rice diet over the vast and
densely-peopled regions of Asia. Mahomet is said to have lived upon
dates and water. It is related that the philanthropists, Swedenborg and
Howard, were vegetarians; that Newton, Descartes, Haller, Hufeland,
Byron, Shelley, and a host of other men of genius, were advocates of a
vegetable diet. The continued use of meat produces scurvy, liver
disease, rheumatism, gout, piles, etc.
Lamartine is a vegetarian.
On the score of economy, it is ascertained that the same plot of ground
which would provide animal food for one man, would feed seventeen on
vegetables.
For sick and delicate people, nutritious food should give way to coarser
fare when under treatment. Priessnitz says he lost a colonel in the
army, entirely from his indulgence in niceties and nourishing food; he
could not be induced to confine himself to plain coarse fare: his
digestion, in consequence, was always impaired.
Salt is injurious when acid humours or sores affect the body.
All spices, such as pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and mustard, are to be
avoided, on account of their stimulating properties: nature gave these
stimulants to the Indians, because their burning sky, by enervating the
body, rendered them necessary.
In our climate the air is more compressed, and contains a larger amount
of oxygen, which predisposes to inflammatory diseases. "Use," says
Priessnitz, "the seasonings nature has given us, and leave to foreigners
theirs: nature has provided for man's wants; our eatables ought, on that
account, to agree with us the better."
Good household or brown bread is considered better than white bread.
Beer, wine, and alcohols of all kinds, are interdicted, as not
assimilating with the food. It is a mistake to suppose that such things
assist digestion: they have a totally opposite effect. Every museum of
natural history exhibits substances preserved in wine, spirits of wine,
or spirits, which would be dissolved in water.
A question arises, if, after having undergone the Water-cure, it is
requisite to pursue any particular regimen? To this it may be answered,
that those who continue a life of temperance stand a better chance of
enjoying health and happiness than those who do not; but abstemiousness
does not follow the Water-cure as a matter of course, any more than it
does medical treatment. It is, however, necessary to abstain from
intemperance for a short time after leaving off the treatment, or
serious consequences may ensue.
To those who have passed the meridian of life, whose circulation is
languid, who have been accustomed to stimulants, Mr. Priessnitz
recommends the occasional use of light wines; and in speaking of wine as
an alterative, he admitted that there could be no rule without an
exception.
Tea and coffee attack the nerves. In my travels through Ireland, I was
shocked at the ravages made upon the weaker sex by tea, the abuse of
which has become a besetting sin. Give two or three cups of strong tea
to one unaccustomed to it, and its effects will be evident upon the
nervous system: in most cases it will deprive the recipient of sleep. I
have known a strong man who, to cure headache, drank three or four cups
of strong black tea, who, a few hours afterwards, trembled from head to
foot. The same often attends the drinking of coffee. Dr. Sir Charles
Scudamore, in his work on Hydropathy, states that Liebig, the best
living chemical authority, said that coffee impeded the digestion of
food for one or two hours, its carbonaceous principle requiring oxygen;
and that he looked upon green tea as a poison. Tea and coffee-drinkers
declare that neither affect them, and refer to persons who have drank
both during a long life, and are, notwithstanding, in health. There are
exceptions. The Bacchanalian, in like manner, justifies his revels, and
the Turk his opium--but "_mark the end!_"
Stomachs weakened by the continued use of stimulants revolt at milk,
which is the only food of most animals when young, and, as such,
contains a large amount of nutriment, which is not the case with tea or
coffee. I know a lady, the wife of one of Napoleon's marshals, who, for
some complaint, was prescribed a milk diet. During a period of twenty
years she has not taken an ounce of anything in the shape of food,
having confined herself entirely to milk. Her health has been invariably
good, and, though no longer young, can endure an excursion on foot over
the mountains of Switzerland better than any of my female acquaintances.
Does not this speak volumes in favour of milk as a diet for children or
adults?
At Gräfenberg, patients who cannot drink milk mix it with water until
the stomach gains tone; others drink sour milk, and find it agree with
them, when common milk would not: this is to be accounted for from the
milk having already undergone the first process of fermentation, which
process would otherwise have taken place in the stomach. Most new-comers
to Gräfenberg have a strong prejudice against sour milk, which, after
persevering in taking it for some time, generally ends in their liking
it exceedingly. Sour milk, with sugar and strawberries, is delicious.
Boiled milk, with bread broken in it, agrees with most people, and makes
a nourishing meal. To those with whom milk alone does not agree, cocoa,
with plenty of milk, is recommended as wholesome and economical.
It has been observed by an able writer, that some people think that to
live well means only to eat, and, it might be added, to drink. To hear
that a man can enjoy the pleasures of the table, who refrains from wine
and beer, and whose only beverage is water, appears paradoxical. Some go
so far as to say that they prefer death to purchasing life on such
terms, forgetting that a temporary indulgence at the table for a couple
of hours may render them uncomfortable for the remainder of the
twenty-four, and that the exciting, overcharging, and thickening of the
blood, renders them hypochondriacal and morose, and makes invalids of
men who ought to be in the enjoyment of robust health. It is hardly to
be expected that nature will deal mercifully with him who has for so
many years sinned against her mandates: she will, doubtless, sooner or
later reward the crimes of _lèse majesté_ committed against her high
prerogatives.
"Nothing like the simple element dilutes
The food, or gives the chyle so soon to flow."
The _bon-vivant_, from the excited state of his system, is not only more
subject to complaints than persons who live temperately, but is more
difficult of cure. When overtaken with pain and illness, notwithstanding
his stoicism in declaring for a short life and a merry one, no one
desires to be restored to health with greater earnestness, or manifests
a more ardent clinging to life than himself.
Priessnitz's assumption that the indigenous products of the country
wherein we reside being best calculated for the support of health, is
borne out by Liebig, who says: "Even when we consume equal weights of
food in cold and warm countries, infinite wisdom has so arranged that
the articles of food of different climates are most _un_equal in the
proportion of carbon they contain. The fruits on which the natives of
the South prefer to feed, do not, in the fresh state, contain more than
12 per cent. of carbon; whilst the bacon and train oil used by the
inhabitants of the Arctic regions, contain 66 to 80 per cent. of
carbon."
Avoiding all excess, it is man's prerogative to elaborate and assimilate
the most heterogeneous aliments, not being limited, like other animals,
to any particular food; and it is certain that those who approach
nearest to nature, who enjoy the benefit of pure air and lead an active
life, do not require to observe any particular rules.
One thing, however, is admitted: the duration of life depends upon the
simplicity of our wants. Most people eat too much, especially of animal
food. No people talk so much of indigestion, dyspepsia, and
constipation, as the English; it has been said that they take more pills
and aperients, and pay more fees, than all the nations of the world
together! What a distinction from savage life! The child of nature,
whose only drink is water, can, without inconvenience, go for days
together without food, and then commit excesses that, if indulged in in
civilised life, would produce fatal results.
It ought to be observed, that abstinence from wine and spices is
compensated by the pleasure water-drinkers take in being enabled to
partake _ad libitum_, of pastry, fruit, and other delicacies of the
table, which wine-drinkers dare not indulge in.
XXVII.--CLOTHING, AIR BATHS, WEARING STAYS, ETC.