This was a favorite remedy with the early German hydropathists, and it
is a very useful appliance when properly employed, though it has been
much abused by excessive use, as in the case of the chest wrapper. To
apply it well, a coarse towel about three yards long is the most
convenient for use. Wet one-half of this, in tepid water, wring it until
it will not drip, and apply it to the abdomen, placing one end at the
side, and bringing it across the front first, so that two thicknesses of
the wet portion will cover the abdomen. After winding the whole tightly
around the body, fasten the end securely. The remarks made in reference
to the wearing of the chest wrapper apply with equal force to the wet
girdle. For feeble patients it is better to wet only that portion of the
towel which covers the abdomen.
This a very efficient remedy for constipation, chronic diarrhea, and
most other intestinal disorders. It is equally valuable in dyspepsia,
torpid liver, enlarged spleen, and uterine derangements.