No fear need exist as to the eruption by these means being driven
in--all experience shows it is the way to bring it to the surface.
Dr. Farr declares himself a convert to the Water-cure in cases of
eruption and other fevers, and did me the favour of writing the
following letter:--
"Miss ---- for two days had a sensation of languor, drowsiness, and pain
in the head and loins, with sickness and fever. On the third day there
appeared on the face small red spots, and successively on the inferior
parts, until the fifth day! these rose into pimples, and then filled
with puriform matter; dry hard scales formed, and on these falling off,
pits or marks were left on some of them. The cold water cure had been
commenced when I first saw her, which had cut the fever, and altered the
character of the eruption; but as soon as the pustules began to form,
the nature of the disease was no longer a matter of doubt; the pustules
were as well developed, and went through their regular changes as well
and as perfectly as though no application of cold had been made use of.
This was the first case of small-pox I saw this winter at Nice, but
shortly after several others occurred, and some of them of the confluent
kind. I must confess I was surprised at the complete success of the cold
water cure in this case.
"W. FARR."
"Nice, 13th April, 1848.["]
_Scarlatina and Measles._--These two complaints are treated alike:--
Morning, packing-sheet twenty-five minutes, then change it for another
for twenty-five minutes, followed by tepid bath 64° for ten minutes.
Bandages. If the eruption is extensive, heat of the bath must be
increased.
Repeat the treatment in the afternoon. If there is much heat between the
hours of treatment, take as many rubbing-sheets one after the other as
are necessary to subdue it. Much water should be drunk.
_Scarlatina._--This complaint, on its first indication, is often subdued
by the following simple means:--
Two or three packing-sheets. Large bandage round the waist. Drink water
and walk out. A few hours afterwards repeat the same.
If obstinate, two or three packing-sheets, changed when warm, followed
by tepid bath 64°.
If in scarlatina, or measles, the throat is affected, drink often in
small quantities. Renew the packing-sheet frequently. When fever is
diminished, slight perspiration in packing-sheet for half an hour; then
tepid bath twenty minutes, with friction. Bread and milk diet.
A child, eleven years old, exhibited symptoms of scarlatina. Dry and hot
all over the body. Stitch from chest to back. Was put into a tepid bath
64° and rubbed for an hour, cold water being continually thrown over its
shoulders; child extremely cold; walked out. The same operation
performed again in the afternoon and twice the next day put an end to
the attack.
_Hooping Cough._--Rub the child well all over, particularly the chest
and back of the neck with hands continually dipped in cold water; or use
a rubbing sheet. Bandage the chest, breast, and loins. If sufficiently
strong, let the child lie in bed until quite hot, then tepid bath 64°
and use great friction until quite chilled. If fever be present, a
packing-sheet should precede the tepid bath, and afterwards a bandage
round the waist.
Hooping cough may also be treated thus:--
Tepid bath, with great friction, for ten minutes in the morning; two
rubbing-sheets at mid-day; the same in the afternoon: head-bath before
going to bed; chest and body bandaged and changed often; drink much
water.
_Mumps._--Begin with rubbing-sheets; then packing-sheets and tepid-bath.
Bandage the throat, loins, and side of the head affected.
Change the bandages often, keep the mouth full of water, and change it
when warm.
_Croup with Sore Throat and Cough._--A child, on awaking in the morning,
had face very red and found much difficulty in breathing. Treatment:--
A cold water injection, then two rubbing-sheets, and bandage all round
the body from the throat to the hips.
An enema did not act, but appeared to cool the body; it remained in the
body eight minutes. When discharged, another rubbing-sheet and wet
bandage were applied. Breathing free, and child slept until morning.
Then well rubbed in bath 62° for ten minutes.
Ate little breakfast. Dined on rice pudding.
Afternoon. Flushed and feverish.
Priessnitz, who now saw the patient, approved of what had been done, and
said if the croup had continued, eight or ten rubbing-sheets ought to
have been administered; allowing ten to twenty minutes between each;
depending upon the violence of attack and strength of patient.
Evening. Patient was feverish, when the following was ordered:--
Body, _but not_ the feet, to be enveloped in packing-sheet, and there
remain until feet were warm: then tepid-bath 64° ten minutes. If the
feet are cold in the bath, rub them with wet hands until a good
circulation is produced.
In the night, fever abated and the child slept soundly.
Next day croup nearly gone and appetite good.
Another child with croup was treated in the same way on the first day.
At nine o'clock at night, chest, windpipe, and between the shoulders,
were rubbed for some time with wet hands; then the waist, throat, and
chest were bandaged.
Slept well, but flushed and feverish in the morning; complained of sore
throat. Packing-sheet until hot, and tepid-bath 64°.
Still feverish.
At noon, rubbing-sheet, not wrung out. If no fever and appetite, to go
out.
Repeat rubbing-sheet in the afternoon.
Should fever continue, packing-sheet followed by rubbing-sheets. This
was not necessary.
Second day. Tepid bath in the morning, and rubbing-sheets at twelve and
five o'clock. Both children cured in three days.
A child seven years old, subject all his life to severe attacks of
croup, on being seized with one at Gräfenberg, was treated as follows:--
Rubbed between the shoulders, and on the chest, for some minutes with
wet hands; then lifted out of bed, and well rubbed all over, especially
in the legs, in a very wet sheet from five to eight minutes.
A wet handkerchief was then put on as a shawl, and a bandage round the
waist; when the patient was allowed to return to bed for ten minutes;
after which the same treatment was repeated. This induced sleep, and he
awoke free from all signs of croup.
At twelve o'clock there was a relapse, when the rubbing was renewed, and
bandage applied to the waist.
At five o'clock in the afternoon, tepid-bath 64° for some minutes, and
patient slept all night in bandage and wet shawl.
The treatment was renewed second day.
A child three years old, also liable to attacks of croup, on being
attacked one evening about nine o'clock, was instantly rubbed on the
chest, windpipe, and between the shoulders, followed by a general
rubbing in rubbing-sheet for five minutes; then bandages were applied to
throat, chest, and round the waist.
This apparently gave great relief, but in the morning he awoke flushed
and feverish, complaining of his throat. A rubbing-sheet followed by a
tepid-bath for some minutes, was resorted to; and at twelve o'clock
another rubbing-sheet followed. Fever having subsided, he was allowed to
go out.
At five o'clock the rubbing-sheet was repeated. He wore the bandage on
his throat down to his chest day and night, changing it when dry. Had
fever continued, he was to have lain in packing-sheet at five o'clock
until warm, instead of the rubbing-sheet. Since this time both children
have been perfectly well.--_August, 1845._
_Ophthalmia._--Inflammation of the eyes is generally catarrhal or
rheumatic, and requires the same treatment as rheumatism and gout. I
never saw it acute, but always chronic.
To the rheumatic treatment, Priessnitz adds eye-baths, and the douche.
The latter must be received in the joined hands; from which, water
coming from a height will rebound as high as the eyes. Head-baths are
equally indispensable, as well as fomentations, to these organs. Chronic
ophthalmia, even at Gräfenberg, is most obstinate, and requires a long
course of treatment.
A captain thus attacked, felt, after several head-baths which he
continued for three quarters of an hour, a pungent pain in the head,
accompanied by swelling of the ears. An abscess was expected in one of
these organs, when the pain gave way to a virulent deposit, formed in
the thick part of the cheek; after this, the eyes were re-established.
Another sufferer came to Gräfenberg, with an exfoliation in the corner
of the eye. To the whole of the treatment, Priessnitz added eye-baths;
after each of which, the invalid was to look fixedly at the light, and
immediately re-plunge the eyes into cold water. This man, who was
perfectly blind on coming, was, on leaving Gräfenberg, able to read with
spectacles.
A third patient presented a very remarkable case of blindness, the
result of a cold caught during hunting, by which he lost his sight. He
had been nine months blind, when he arrived at Gräfenberg; after each
process of perspiration, which he submitted to twice a day, the bath and
the head-bath, matter mixed with blood came from the eyes. One might say
that some pounds exuded from the eyes in the course of three weeks. I
did not see the termination of this cure, before leaving Gräfenberg; but
I can affirm, that the last time I spoke to the invalid, he could
distinguish colours, and also objects at a certain distance.
_Itch and Ringworm._--These diseases are more easily cured by cold
water, than by any other means. The process of perspiration in the wet
sheet, leads to success; but ringworm is frequently more difficult to
cure than the itch. It requires longer time, and a more energetic use of
cold water.--The douche is also indispensable in cases of ringworm, in
order to bring the morbid humours to the skin. The most difficult
ringworms to cure, are those which have been driven in by bad treatment.
This disease is really equal to the gout, in point of obstinacy, for it
re-appears upon the skin after the use of the douche a long time. After
the process of perspiration, and cold baths too, it again shows itself
under forms much more serious in their aspect, than in the beginning.
_Cold, Cough, with Inflammation._--A lady was ordered--
Packing-sheet, half or three quarters of an hour, then tepid bath 64°
for an hour, twice a day. After first day much better. Third day cured.
If patient is fatigued by staying in bath so long, let him come out and
walk about the room for a few minutes, then enter the bath again.
Major----, a strong man, pursued the following treatment and was cured
the third day.
Morning--Packing-sheet, two and a half hours, and tepid bath 64°, ten
minutes. Took a long walk.
At noon--Packing-sheet, one hour, and bath ten minutes.
Afternoon--The same.
Bandaged throat and chest day and night.
_Chronic Sore Throat._--Child two and a half years old.
Morning--Packing-sheet one hour and then cold bath; noon, tepid
sitz-bath, fifteen minutes. Bandage round the throat at night, but not
by day; rub the throat often with wet hands.
_Sore Throat, Pain in the Limbs, and Prostration of Strength._--A young
lady so attacked was ordered not to eat any dinner that day; to run up
and down stairs and about the room until warm.
Then a blanket, warmed by the fire and the patient enveloped in it,
covered by many others, patient to keep in movement in the blanket the
first quarter of an hour, to promote perspiration (the sweating
process). Bandage throat, chest, and waist. Hold water in the mouth, and
rub the throat often with wet hands (requisites in all cases where the
throat is engaged). Patient being under the general treatment at the
usual time, packing sheet and tepid bath, etc., were used.
Cure effected the second day.
_Cold and Cough._--A child six years old. Tepid bath 64° twice a day,
fifteen minutes each time, and waist bandage. Cured the second day.
For an adult the above is also good treatment, with the addition of
holding water constantly in the mouth when walking, and wearing bandages
on chest and legs up to the fork at night; morning, two rubbing sheets;
the same at mid-day and in the afternoon. Two foot-baths during the day
of ten minutes each; feet to be rubbed well the whole time. Bandages as
in former case.
_Cold, and Sore Throat._--Bandage the throat at night, expose it by day,
even in winter.
_Pain in the Bowels._--Packing-sheet until hot, then tepid bath 66°
morning and afternoon; at mid-day, sitz-bath 64° twenty minutes. It was
truly astonishing to witness the result of one day's treatment.
In a case of great swelling in the throat, bandages were applied to it
always, and changed every twenty minutes. To this were added
rubbing-sheets three times a day, and a sitz-bath 64° for twenty
minutes.
_Cold._--In a severe cold, suspend packing-sheet in the morning and
substitute rubbing sheet; at noon, packing-sheet for an hour, followed
by tepid-bath 64°.
If not soon well, sweating process for an hour and half, followed by
tepid bath 64°.
In a common cold, Priessnitz ordered three rubbing-sheets, with great
friction, on going to bed. For children, he finds a tepid bath, for ten
minutes twice a day, is sufficient; dining on farinaceous food and going
out as usual.
_Cold with Head Ache._--Two rubbing-sheets and tepid sitz-bath for
twenty minutes before dinner, and the same in the afternoon. After each
operation a cold-head bath for ten minutes.
_Cold, Sore Throat, and enlarged Tonsils._--Packing-sheets and
tepid-bath twice a day. Tepid sitz-bath and bandages are generally
ordered.
_Cold settled in the Knee._--One day rising from kneeling, a patient,
aged 50, felt great pain in her knee, which swelled so as to prevent her
going out. Despite medical skill, it increased in size, and the foot
lost all sensation; this took place twelve months previous to going to
Gräfenberg.
The patient for the first seven or eight weeks was confined entirely to
her room. In the morning, packing-sheet and tepid bath; noon, stood on
the leg up to the top of the thigh in cold water half an hour;
afternoon, repeated the same; drank ten glasses of water daily; and kept
the leg and foot constantly bandaged. At length she began to walk with
two sticks; then she took a cold bath in the morning, and after ten
weeks the douche twice a day, ten minutes each time. Digestion good.
The bone resumed its position and the swelling began to diminish; when,
the foot having gained its action, she could walk with a stick without
other assistance. This lady was an excellent example of the benefit of
the Water-cure.
_Cough, Sore Throat, and pain in the Chest._--Heating bandage to the
throat at night; expose it by day.
Morning, packing-sheet until quite hot; then tepid bath 64° for fifteen
minutes twice a day.
In the middle of the day tepid sitz-bath, twenty minutes. It was
astonishing to witness the change for the better, after the first day's
treatment.
_Cold and Cough._--An infant aged six years. Tepid bath 64° twice a day,
for fifteen minutes each time.
Heating bandage round the waist. Cured in two days.
_Severe Swelling in the Throat._--A gentleman resident in my house was
ordered three rubbing-sheets, three times a day, and bandages, changed
every twenty minutes.
A friend of mine was constantly annoyed by relaxed and sore throat,
without any assignable cause. At length it was found that he slept with
his mouth open. An Indian-rubber band to go under the chin and over the
head, so as to keep his mouth shut was used at nights and from that time
he was no more annoyed with the complaint.
_Flatulency._--Injection and sitz-baths.
_Drowsiness._--Foot-bath, and rub the head with wet hands. If these
means are not sufficient, use the packing-sheet, followed by friction in
tepid bath for an hour.
A patient complaining to Priessnitz of feeling heavy in the head after
dinner, was ordered to pour a bottle of water on his head, and take
head-baths occasionally.
_Hysteria._--Rubbing-sheets every five minutes, until every appearance
of hysteria is gone. The patient should lie in bed between each
packing-sheet to get warm.
_Ague._--Tepid bath 62° with great friction until fever is reduced; then
packing-sheets, changed on becoming warm; followed by tepid bath,
bandage, drinking water, etc. The sweating stage is much relieved by
packing-sheets.
_Shivering._--For a shivering fit, a patient was ordered five
rubbing-sheets, with an interval of five minutes between them--patient
to walk about the room during that time: first application effected a
cure.
A young lady strong and robust, always cold, sleepy, and indisposed to
leave the house, was ordered to use the packing-sheet until warm; then a
tepid bath for an hour and upwards, three times a day. In three days she
was perfectly well.
_Weakness of Chest and Short Breathing._--A delicate lady was ordered
two packing-sheets, from the arm-pits to knees, and tepid bath 64°. Feet
being cold were rubbed in shallow foot-bath for a quarter of an hour,
then dried, and she walked about her chamber for a quarter of an hour
before going to bed.
_Itching of the Fingers, like the approach of Chilblains._--Wash hands
in tepid water, 64°, three times a day for five minutes; wear
heating-bandage from the wrist to the elbow.
XLVII.--SORE MOUTH--INFLAMED GUMS.
For this complaint, sweating twice a day, long tepid baths, head-baths,
and sitz-baths, were ordered. Tepid water, 68°, should be held in the
mouth.
XLVIII.--TOOTH-ACHE, PRESERVATION OF THE TEETH, ETC.
If the tooth is unsound, it must be stopped or extracted. Sometimes when
a tooth is plugged, the pressure on the nerve renders it insupportable.
At Geneva, a clever dentist avoided this painful result by first
cleaning out the tooth, then placing a small plate of metal very flat
and thin as a sort of shelf in the tooth, so as to leave a hollow below
it. By this means, he avoided the pressure upon the nerve, and the
stopping was not felt. This is foreign to our purpose; but I insert it
as a useful hint. In ordinary cases of tooth-ache, or inflammation of
the gums, fill the mouth with warm water; then with the hand dipped
frequently in cold water, rub the cheeks until it can be borne no
longer; then rub the gums even to bleeding, and bandage the face: if
pain returns in the night, repeat the rubbing. Long and often-repeated
tepid foot-baths are also useful.
A patient at Gräfenberg writes as follows:--"Priessnitz ordered me, for
tooth-ache and pain in my gums, to rub the back of my head and down my
neck often and for a long time. The first application afforded me
relief. After ten or fifteen minutes' rubbing, the pain would leave for
hours, and then return. Soon there was a longer interval between the
attacks: at last, the pain ceased altogether." The theory of this mode
of curing such an ailment is based upon true philosophical principles.
Who does not know that the nerves of the teeth centre in the back of the
head? It is evident, then, that by friction to that part, the
inflammation will be drawn from the gums.
A friend of mine, suffering intensely from pain in the gums, found
relief from a tepid sitz-bath of thirty minutes. As a preservative for
the teeth, there is nothing like water. It is related in a useful little
pamphlet, entitled "Facts, proving Water to be the only beverage fitted
to give health and Strength to Man," that General Norton, the Mohawk
Chief, who was in this country some years ago, said that when the
Indians are in their own settlements, living upon the produce of the
chase, and drinking water, their teeth always look clean and white; but
when they go into the United States, and get spirituous liquors, their
teeth look dirty and yellow, and then they are frequently afflicted
with tooth-ache, and are obliged to have their teeth drawn. For cleaning
the teeth and preserving them, there is nothing so good as cold water;
warm or tepid water exposes us to catch cold in the gums, whilst those
who are in the constant habit of using cold water are seldom troubled in
this way.
XLIX.--WATERY OR INFLAMED EYES.
For watery eyes, an eye-bath three times a day for five minutes will
draw blood to, and strengthen, them. For inflamed eyes, throw water with
the hand into them three times a day for five minutes each time, and
wear a bandage on the forehead at night.
_Sore Eyes._--Place the back part of the head in cold water three times
a day, ten minutes each time; then use an eye-bath for five minutes,
twice a day: for this purpose, glasses are to be procured of the form of
the eye. After the eyes are closed in the water for about a minute, they
should be opened for the other four minutes. At night, a bandage should
be placed at the back of the neck: this and the head-bath have the
effect of drawing inflammation from the front. In most cases, foot-baths
twice a day are beneficial. Where there is great inflammation; a very
wet bandage may be applied to the eyes for an hour occasionally. As a
preservative to the eyes, open them in the wash-hand basin of a morning
for two minutes, or throw water [i]nto them occasionally, for two or
three minutes at a time.
L.--DEAFNESS.
Rubbing-Sheet three times a day, wear bandage over the ears at night,
and drink plentifully of water; tepid sitz-baths. This treatment will
often relieve deafness: where it is ineffectual, the general treatment
must be resorted to.
LI.--EAR-ACHE.
Linen wetted should be introduced into the ear; all round the ear often
rubbed with wet hands for a quarter of an hour each time, and a bandage
worn round the head; also tepid foot-bath for half an hour.
In obstinate cases, perspiration and tepid baths, sitz and foot-baths,
must be resorted to. For an obstinate pain in the ear in a strong man,
two packing-sheets and tepid bath for two hours were prescribed; next
day, sweating for five or six hours, and cold bath.
LII.--RINGWORM, ITCH, ETC.
These diseases are more easily conquered by Hydropathy than by any other
means. The most difficult ringworms to cure, are those driven in by bad
treatment. This disease is equal to gout in obstinacy. We shall here
warn the sufferer that the diet prescribed must be rigorously observed.
Dr. Munde states that "three men, attacked with this disease, arrived at
Gräfenberg, at the same time as himself; the first, following the
treatment with energy for two months, returned home resolved to continue
through the winter, and then return to Gräfenberg to finish the cure,
which, at the time of his departure, was more than half effected. The
two others remained at Gräfenberg, one for eight months, the other six;
both left radically cured. The treatment of one of these cases was
attended by an acidity in the throat, and by the vomiting of matter
containing chalky substances. The acidity of the throat was such, that
it caused the tongue to be ulcerated.["]
LIII.--PSORIASIS.
The following extraordinary case is as stated by the patient, an English
gentleman, himself. An eruption made its appearance on his head when
twenty-three years of age; cause unknown. Underwent medical treatment
six years, and tried every remedy five physicians could suggest. Thrice
salivated, tried all sorts of ointments, some so powerful as to burn the
flesh. Visited Harrowgate the third time, when the eruption spread all
over his body. Stomach and bowels a continual source of annoyance.
Arrived at Gräfenberg 27th July, 1843; next morning, went into tepid,
from that to cold, and back to tepid bath; and afterwards pursued the
following treatment:--
Morning, two packing-sheets, the first for a quarter of an hour, the
second for an hour, followed by tepid bath for half a minute, then cold,
and back to tepid bath; noon, packing-sheet one hour, and
rubbing-sheet; afternoon, packing-sheet one hour, and rubbing-sheet. At
the expiration of first bath, the bowels acted regularly. Morning and
afternoon treatment the same; noon, douche three minutes, and sitz-bath
half an hour.
Sept. 5.--Considerable pain felt in thighs and legs; ordered after
douching to walk a few minutes, with legs exposed to the air.