administered an enema, then a rubbing-sheet with great friction,
followed by a tepid bath for nearly an hour, the enema took effect
whilst under the friction, rubbing-sheets and baths were repeated three
times before mid-day with good effect.
In the afternoon, rubbing-sheets were used, and friction with wet hands.
_Cramp-Cough._--I knew a case of this nature which was most successfully
treated at Gräfenberg.
Morning, two or three packing-sheets followed by tepid bath; noon, tepid
sitz-bath, quarter of an hour; afternoon, morning treatment renewed.
The Crisis was attended with inflammation and ulcers of the throat.
Tepid-baths, were administered twice a day, for ten to fifteen minutes,
changing alternately from hot to cold and back to hot. To subdue fever
which was very active in the night, the patient took a plunge or two
into a cold bath before going to bed.
Bandage on Chest at night, in addition to that round the loins.
_Cramps in the Stomach._--Patient's complaint was cramp in the stomach,
weak digestion, great nervous sensibility. Packing-sheet one hour, and
tepid-bath in the morning, four minutes, with great friction; then three
successive plunges into tepid, cold, and tepid-bath, to remain in the
last four minutes; noon, rubbing-sheet five minutes, followed by
sitz-bath ten minutes; afternoon, repeat morning treatment, wear bandage
day and night, and drink twelve tumblers of water daily.
In a short time, the tepid-bath was relinquished for the cold-bath; and
the douche was used for two minutes, as a longer period was found to
disagree with the patient. A diarrhœa was cured by the addition of
sitz-baths; at which time the douche was not persevered in.
XLIV.--ASTHMA.
I was astonished at the wonderful effects of the Water-cure treatment,
in cases of Asthma. One night, Priessnitz was called up to a patient
under the cure, who was almost suffocated.
A tepid sitz-bath for thirty minutes with great friction of the abdomen
completely relieved him. This patient was perfectly cured in three
months.
A patient whose age was thirty-five suffered from chest complaint,
asthma, torpid circulation, and stricture. For some time three
rubbing-sheets a day only were prescribed, then a tepid sitz-bath; and
when he evidenced the cure of the Asthma, by ascending with ease the
highest mountains, the general treatment was resorted to.
In three months the stricture was quite cured. Left Gräfenberg the
fourth month.
The following interesting case, came under my especial notice.
Mr. M----, aged 26, afflicted with Asthma for three years, tried all the
baths in Germany, and then determined on going to Gräfenberg: _en
route_, he was confined to an hotel for eight days. When he arrived,
which was on the 4th January, 1846, he could with difficulty walk a
quarter of a mile.
Inclement as the weather was, Priessnitz, at once ordered him into a
tepid bath, and stripped him of all flannels; next day he began the
following treatment, until warm.
Morning, packing-sheet, tepid-bath; noon, rubbing-sheet, and tepid
sitz-bath; afternoon, the same. In a short time tepid water was
discontinued for cold.
In about three weeks, two large boils appeared and broke, when he was so
much better, as to ascend the highest mountains, his health improved so
fast, that, first in the morning, he was seen up to his middle in snow,
always without hat, neckcloth or great coat.
He was cured in about four months.
XLV.--SURGICAL OPERATIONS, ACCIDENTS, ETC.
_Amputation._--The Surgeon's profession would be a very poor one if
Hydropathy were generally understood.
If a finger, hand, or foot, be nearly severed from the body, they should
be put into the best possible form, bandaged, and placed between two
pieces of wood; over this a large bandage: the former may be wetted
often without being removed.
A friend of mine in Italy had the misfortune, whilst botanising, to fall
from one rock to another, where he hung by his foot. This caused a
compound fracture, and the loss of his foot. I asked Mr. Priessnitz what
ought to have been done,--he said his shepherd would have known better
than to have cut off the foot; a stiff one being preferable to none at
all. The foot should have been healed as above described, a large
bandage applied from the toes up to the top of the thighs constantly
wetted; this would have kept the limb cold. As fever or inflammation
must proceed from the part afflicted, it is evident if the heat is
extracted thence, neither can ensue. The splinters would have come away
of themselves, and the patient might have been spared the loss of his
foot, and several months of severe suffering and loss of health.
_Crushed Finger._--A farmer at Gräfenberg had his finger smashed by a
large stone rolling against it; so that it hung by the skin. It was put
together, bandaged, and so fixed between two pieces of wood; over this a
larger bandage was placed, the under part kept constantly wet. When pain
ensued, the elbow was put into cold water for twenty minutes. The
finger, though stiffer than the others, was preserved.
_Fainting Fit._--Open the window to admit fresh air; unfasten the dress.
Sprinkle water on the face and put the feet into a foot pan, with water
only up to the instep, and let the attendant rub feet and legs up to the
knees.
_Effects of Falls._--A young man who came with nervous fever, one day,
whilst labouring under violent palpitation, to which he was subject,
fell, and so hurt the back of his head, as to be insensible for half an
hour. Priessnitz, being sent for, ordered a foot-bath and rubbing with
wet hands up to the knee. Opened his waistcoat, rubbed the chest, and
threw cold water into his face. The friction and foot-bath continued for
an hour, when patient was ordered a sitz-bath for thirty minutes.
Bandages to waist and head.
Another party fell and injured his large toe against a stone. Ordered
three cold foot-baths a day, fifteen minutes each time, and bandage to
be kept continually wet.
Count C. fell down stairs, and afterwards felt pain in his side.
Bandaged the part. Next day a tepid bath for one hour. As the Count was
not young, this was not persevered in. Sitz-baths were substituted.
A. fell from his horse and injured his elbow and arm.
Arm and elbow placed in a tepid bath for an hour.
Repeated three times a day. Arm bandaged night and day.
_Bruised Shin._--Three sitz-baths a day 60°; bandage the leg from ancle
to above the knee, and keep it raised. Throw tepid water over foot and
leg several times a day.
Foot-baths may be resorted to, if the patient is already under
hydropathic treatment: otherwise not, as they draw bad matter downwards,
and might prevent the wound from healing.
B. trod upon a nail which entered his foot. His foot was put for an hour
twice or thrice a day into tepid water, and he wore a bandage on the
part.
In all cases of the kind--either by cutting with sharp instruments or
otherwise, put the wounded part into tepid water until it ceases
bleeding, then bandage it, and afterwards use cold baths several times a
day to the part.
Bandages must extend both ways beyond the wound, to carry off the
inflammation from the part. Viz.--If the calf of the leg be wounded, the
bandage ought to begin at the ancle, and be continued up to the knee. In
all cases take one or two tepid sitz-baths a day. They prevent the head
being affected.
_Tape Worms._--Rubbing-sheets once or twice a day, bandage always round
the waist, cold injections morning and evening, and drink plentifully of
water.
For other worms recourse must be had to the general treatment.
_Sea Sickness._--Wear a large thick bandage on chest and abdomen; and if
it does not prevent, it will mitigate sea-sickness.
_Apoplexy and Paralysis._--Instantly put patient into tepid-bath, water
about two inches deep, throw cold water over head and shoulders, and use
immense friction with wet hands for a very long time. For a wonderful
case of cure of Apoplexy, refer to the letter written from Gräfenberg to
the New York Tribune.
_Lock Jaw._--The same as for Apoplexy.
A Belgian Doctor had a paralytic stroke two months previous to coming to
Gräfenberg. In a fortnight he had another; when he could neither speak
nor eat, and was too feeble to take the bath.
Sixteen rubbing-sheets a day, four at a time, restored him the use of
his faculties in two days.
A crochet-needle was, by accident, driven into the side of a young lady;
a surgeon lanced the part and extracted it, when Priessnitz simply
ordered a bandage to the part, to be changed every quarter of an hour
until inflammation subsided, and subsequently, as often as it became
dry. After the first day no inconvenience was felt. A green matter
exuded from the wound, which P. said was nothing more than usual in such
circumstances.
_Scalds._--Put the part affected into cold water, or apply a cold
affusion for an hour two or three times a day. Wear a bandage
continually wet; when the inflammation has subsided, put a dry bandage
over the wet one.
_Burns._--If a burn be bad, and the patient cannot endure the
application of water, in that case use tow or lint; but if possible,
wring a bandage well out, apply it to the burn, and put a dry one over
it. Change the bandage often; but if this is too painful, let it remain,
and wet it often. A cold bath applied as a derivative will afford great
relief; _i. e._ if the leg is burnt take a foot-bath; if the hand, put
the elbow in cold water, &c.
_Rupture of the Tendon Achilles._--A friend of mine, running across the
road, heard the crack of a whip; and supposed at first that some one had
struck his leg with a whip, but he soon found he could not put his foot
to the ground, that he had met with an accident called _coup de fouet_,
or a rupture of the tendon Achilles in the calf of his leg. The only
treatment for this, which effected an immediate cure, was binding it up
in a surgeon's bandage very tight, and keeping that wet night and day.
_Accidents to the Head._--A man chopping wood struck a child a back blow
on the forehead; the wound was wetted with tepid water for some time,
and then a bandage was applied.
Two tepid sitz-baths were administered during the day.
Another child seven years old, fell against a stone and laid his
forehead open.
Bandage applied, and wetted occasionally without being taken off; a dry
one kept over it.
Another bandage at the back of the neck, renewed often.
Tepid sitz-bath fifteen minutes, three times a day. Feverish symptoms
arose during the night; sitz-bath renewed.
Prince Ruspoli, Lord Anson, and another were galloping along a road at
the dusk of the evening, not perceiving a drain, two of their horses
fell into it. Two of the party were taken up insensible. On being
brought into Freywalden, they were instantly put into tepid baths of
65°.
The prince having fallen on his temple was much stunned; four men rubbed
him in the bath, in five minutes he became conscious and assisted in
rubbing himself; in ten minutes he felt cold. After being in the bath
twenty-five minutes he was taken out, well dried and put to bed, with
bandages on his head and back of the neck, and but slight covering.
After an hour's repose, a tepid sitz-bath was administered for an hour.
During the night patient suffered great pain in his head. Next day he
was out of doors, but took three sitz-baths during the day; in the
morning for an hour; the others, half an hour each time. Bandages always
to the injured part. In a few days he was quite well.
The prince's friend was threatened with congestion in the head, and had
great pain in the stomach; the fæces were nearly black. He took many
injections; three sitz-baths daily, an hour and a half each time, and
one during the night. This treatment effected his cure.
_Cuts and Wounds._--For a clean cut, it will often be sufficient to
close the wound at once, and cover it with a dry bandage, so as to
exclude the air.
A bruise, or jagged cut, should be bound up, and covered with a wet
bandage; and this, when inflammation has subsided, must be covered with
a dry one. Do not remove the under bandage, but pour water on it
occasionally, and cover it again with the dry one. Let the bandage
extend both ways beyond the wound, to conduct away the heat from it.
_Calf of Leg torn off._--Dr. Scontetton, surgeon to the forces at
Strasburg, states, "A soldier trying to descend at night from the walls
of the barracks, fell, and tore the flesh off the calf of his leg. The
doctor put the lacerated flesh together as well as he could, and bound
the leg and thigh up in a bandage; a trough was then made in a slanting
position in which he placed the leg. Over the man's head he fixed a cask
of water with a tube, from which the man was to keep the bandage
constantly wet.[6] By this treatment alone a cure was effected in a
fortnight, during which time the man suffered no pain, nor was even
deprived of his appetite."
[6] He drank nothing but water, and wore a bandage round his waist.
_Sprained Shoulder._--A patient fell down an ice-berg and severely
bruised his shoulder, so that he could not raise his hand. The bruise
was immediately saturated with cold water for an hour, and cold wet
cloths applied for a long time. When inflammation had subsided, a
heating bandage was applied and renewed when dry. Elbow bath twice a
day, fifteen minutes each.
This treatment was repeated two or three times a day.
_Accident to the Eye._--A child five years old, ran a knife into the
ball of the eye. Cold wet bandages perfected a cure. The blue of the eye
ran, but the boy, now fifteen years of age, sees perfectly well.
_Swelling of a Vein--Varicose Veins._--A young lady was afflicted with
swelled vein just over the large toes of both feet; the swelling in one
foot shortly disappeared, the other became more developed, the foot and
ancle inflamed.
I wrote to Priessnitz, who advised "a cold foot-bath, three times a day,
for twenty minutes; water up to the ancle and not to be changed. After
the bath, rub the foot (omitting the affected part) and leg,
particularly in front, up to the knee, until heat is restored; then
apply a bandage (well wrung out) to the foot and leg up to the knee,
always changing before dry. If an eruption or swelling take place on the
foot, take a sitz-bath half an hour, twice a day, and the sweating
process, followed by cold bath every other day. Do not perspire more
than an hour. The foot should be kept a little elevated."
Patient not getting better, and the medical men declaring the case, in
their opinion, incurable, she went to Gräfenberg. The following is the
treatment pursued there:--Packing-sheets for fifteen minutes; changed
for another of twenty minutes; and cold plunge-bath morning and evening;
between which douched twice a day, and a sitz-bath taken; always wearing
foot and leg and waist bandage.
Priessnitz, on seeing the case, declared the complaint was not a local
one, that "it was a general derangement of the nervous system", and so
it turned out, as veins in the arms, thighs, and elsewhere enlarged and
diminished under the treatment. Both feet and legs now became swollen
and inflamed up to the knee, so that patient was obliged to move on
crutches. Treatment increased. Length of cold bath and douche extended
to five minutes each. To prevent the pain that must have attended the
limbs, in so inflamed a state, coming in contact with water, the
bandages remained on those parts whilst taking those baths. This crisis
continued for two months, when it began to recede, then came again in a
more moderate form; receded and again made its appearance a third and
last time. Catamenia became regular, appetite good, and patient could
walk without assistance. The cure was effected in ten months. It is now
upwards of two years since the party left Gräfenberg, and she is
perfectly well.
By this it will be seen, that that which is produced by the treatment,
must be made to recede under the treatment. Had Priessnitz relinquished
any part of it at the most trying moment, the cure would not have been
effected.
Speaking to him of varicose or enlarged veins, he said "they are
generally curable. I had a patient with an enlarged vein in his foot,
when on the ground the vein became full, measuring nearly two inches;
this was cured in eighteen months."
_Sprains._--In all cases of sprains, rub the part, with hands dipped in
water, for a long time; the oftener the better, and put on a wet
bandage, which when heat has subsided, change for a heating bandage.
If the sprain is a bad one, apply a cold bath or cold affusion to the
part for half an hour, then the wet, and afterwards the heating bandage,
which change often.
The bath should be repeated thrice a day, and friction used the whole
time.
If general treatment is necessary, then packing-sheets. Tepid bath and
tepid sitting baths must be resorted to.
_Sprained Ankle._--Put the foot immediately into cold water, and rub
foot, ankle, and leg up to the knee for an hour, particularly the
wounded part. The water of the bath, after the first time, only up to
the instep, but repeated three or four times a day. Bandage the foot,
ankle, and leg up to the knee; first, with quite wet bandages, and when
inflammation has somewhat subsided, then with heating bandage. The foot
should not be allowed to remain quiet. If not able to move about, the
patient should put a rolling pin under his foot and keep that in
movement. By these means a sprained ankle is cured in a few days, that
without it might continue for a month or longer.
_Wound in the Abdomen._--A lad leaning upon a piece of wood, hurt his
abdomen; it was rubbed with cold water for half an hour, followed by
sitz-bath half an hour twice a day.
_Bleeding at the Nose._--Sprinkle the face with water, bandage the back
of the neck and the loins; shallow foot bath, where obstinate. Bandage
the genitals and change the bandage often.
Dr. Gibbs states, that whilst at Gräfenberg, he was greatly troubled
with bleeding at the nose. He tried bandages at the back of the neck and
foot-bath to no purpose. Priessnitz then ordered him two packing-sheets
in succession, the first fifteen minutes, the other twenty-five minutes,
followed by cold bath. This treatment had the desired effect.
I knew a case where a man bled profusely at the nose. He put his feet up
to the calves of his legs in cold water, and the bleeding stopped in ten
minutes.
A child had a blow on the nose, which occasioned it to bleed frequently.
Bandage worn on the forehead for a week or two, and foot baths,
completed a cure.
_Spitting Blood, Sickness, etc._--This is sometimes occasioned by piles.
Sitz-baths (tepid 62°) may be taken; bandages worn on the waist always,
and on the chest at night. All irritation should be avoided, and repose
of body and mind observed. Water ought to be drunk abundantly. Bleeding
of the lungs, the effect of pulmonary consumption, is not curable. To
distinguish the difference between cases requires the experience of such
a genius as Priessnitz.
XLVI.--SMALL POX, MEASLES, HOOPING COUGH, CROUP, SCARLATINA, COLDS,
SHIVERING, ETC.
All these complaints form the easiest and surest part of Priessnitz's
practice. No child or adult ever died at Gräfenberg of any of them. This
fact, attested as it is by all writers on Hydropathy, leads one to look
on the incertitude of medical practice in diseases incidental to
children, with wonder and dismay.
Priessnitz considers these complaints wholesome, being the medium chosen
by Nature for relieving the system.
On their appearance, his great aim is to strengthen the patient, and
eliminate the morbific matters by the pores of the skin. It is
frequently asked, "But does not the hydropathic process drive the virus
into the system?" No, on the contrary, the packing-sheet acts as a
poultice to the whole body; and this, followed by a tepid bath, causes
an outward action, and the system is cooled and relieved through miles
of drainage (the pores), the true medium through which relief can with
certainty be obtained.
A young man with measles, at Gräfenberg, had as many as 400
packing-sheets applied in about fourteen days.
_Small-Pox._--Small-pox, of all diseases, is that which should be
treated hydropathically; because by its operation the morbid matters are
thrown out by the pores of the skin, upon which it rarely leaves any of
those scars so detrimental to the beauty of the person.
In the Water-cure, judiciously treated, the small-pox is under no
circumstances attended with danger, nor is the patient reduced in
strength as under any other treatment. "Small pox," Priessnitz says,
"instead of being suppressed, ought to be encouraged, as it relieves the
system of humours that ought to be carried out of it, and is a healthy
process." At one period the profession were as much at fault in the
treatment of small-pox, as they now are in that of cholera. No means
were left untried, but they failed in arresting its ravages. Jenner's
discovery was hailed as an intervention of Providence, and he was voted
two grants in parliament. If Priessnitz is right, this discovery may be
hailed as a curse rather than a blessing. He states that the insertion
of poisonous matter into the blood of a healthy subject produces
poisonous consequences, is repugnant to our feelings, and at variance
with the laws of nature.
In small pox, where there is much eruption on the face, a muslin
handkerchief, wetted, may be used as a bandage to the part.
If the head is much affected, head-bath and wet bandages must be
resorted to.
Bandage the back and thighs if they require it. In these complaints, as
in all others, if the bowels require opening, use injections. Drink
plentifully of water.
I treated a young lady in small-pox as follows:--
First day--patient was confined to the sofa with head-ache and general
lassitude; next morning, fever and several pustules: two
packing-sheets, the first twenty minutes, the other twenty-five minutes;
and tepid bath 70° for eight minutes. Afternoon--As the packing-sheet
did not heat so soon as that in the morning, it was not changed, but
patient remained in it an hour and a quarter--the tepid bath eight
minutes--drank sixteen tumblers of water, windows always open. Second
day, eruption much increased over the body and face; treatment as
before. Third and fourth day, eruption increased; same treatment
persevered in. Fifth day, treatment only in the morning. Sixth day,
eruption decreasing. Eighth day, catamenia, all treatment suspended;
which it should be observed would not have been the case had any fever
remained. Tenth day, patient out walking, eruption nearly gone. Twelfth
and thirteenth day, one rubbing-sheet on getting out of bed. It should
be stated, that the wet bandage was _perpetually_ worn during the
treatment.
Patient quite as well and as strong as before the attack. Complexion
much clearer.
The most extraordinary thing to be observed is, that the patient was not
confined to bed for an hour--felt no disposition to scratch herself. The
tongue, after third day, was perfectly clean, and her rest after the
first night undisturbed.
The fever was taken out the first day, from which time she was not
inconvenienced in the least. This young lady had been twice vaccinated.
The second and third day a smell remained in the room after patient was
taken out of the sheet and bath, that was perfectly intolerable; which
shows that the virus was taken out, and accounts for the eruption being
so mild.
Another friend of mine, 46 years of age, caught the small pox, though he
had been vaccinated twice. He was treated much in the same way, and was
out of doors quite well the twelfth day, never having been confined to
his bed for an hour. Windows open night and day.
In all eruptive complaints, packing-sheets allay the fever. To effect
this, where the fever is strong, they should be changed once or twice,
or even oftener. When there is much eruption, the heat of the bath which
follows the wet sheet must be increased in extraordinary cases even to
80 deg.
The packing-sheet process and the tepid bath must be used twice a-day;
patient must drink abundance of water; windows of the room ought to be
always open; if constipated, clysters; waist bandages in all cases.