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.
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.
This treatment persevered in, must cure all eruptive and other fevers. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.[”]
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.
Sept. 20.—Diarrhœa. For this, the patient was put into packing-sheet doubled, from the arm-pits to the hips till warm; this was renewed seven times every quarter of an hour. Patient free from pain, but weak. Cramp returned in the evening, when a tepid sitz-bath was ordered, if that did not succeed, a clyster was to be administered.
The sitz-bath removed the pain. About this time pain in his side, which patient had felt from his youth, left him and has not returned. Patient observed that the smell of the packing-sheets, after his having lain in them, was offensive. Eruption at this time evidently worse. Third month, packing-sheet and cold bath instead of tepid bath, and in the afternoon cold bath instead of rubbing-sheet.
Reaction after every operation improved. Eruption so bad that skin cracked in various places, and discharged yellow gummy matter.
Fourth month.—Eruption caused head to feel quite sore; wore bandage to head and changed it four times a day.
Fifth month.—Rheumatic pains in shoulder, which had been felt at intervals for years. Rubbed well on coming out of cold bath; pain ceased in eight or ten days. After some time the pain returned again in both shoulders; this was subdued by rubbing-sheets as follows:—three the same night on going to bed; next day at noon, four afternoon, packing-sheet, followed by three rubbing-sheets, and on going to bed five more. Never felt rheumatic pain since. Eruption worse, covering the entire surface of head and ears, and spots on the body as before.
Jan. 8.—Ceased sweating from weakness; eruption improved in appearance.
Seventh month.—Commenced sweating again; eruption improved.
Eighth month.—Eruption still improving, leaving the skin inflamed and contracted; the spot on left leg gone, and lumps on neck decreasing in size.
Ninth month.—Head and ears better, left off venturing to expose them to the air; washed them frequently with cold water; eruption began to peel off when rubbed. Towards the end of the month, body quite free from all eruption. Patient winds up by saying, “I have gradually left off the various operations, preparatory to my departure, and am happy to say, that now every particle and sign of the eruption has disappeared.”
June 17, 1844.—In a letter written some time afterwards to a friend, he stated that he was perfectly cured of the disease.
Fistula.—Patient three years previously had been cured of stricture, to the treatment for which he attributes his present complaint. Morning, packing-sheet till warm, and cold bath; noon, rubbing-sheet and tepid sitz-bath ten minutes; afternoon, packing-sheet and cold bath. Bandages to the fork and arms, and round the waist always.
In three months, douche for three or four minutes. Sitz-bath to be cold instead of tepid, and alternate days foot-bath and tepid half bath, without rubbing-sheet. Cured in five months.
In three months, douche for three or four months; sitz-bath to be cold instead of tepid; and alternate days foot-bath and tepid half bath, without rubbing-sheet. Cured in five months.
Another patient stated that, he suffered from piles; for these he was drugged and leeched at the anus; treatment which was no doubt the cause of the fistula.
Nose Frost-bitten.—Chafe it with tepid-water 62°, and wear bandage continually.
Leprosy.—Patient ordered three packing-sheets and tepid-baths daily, wet linen drawers and waistcoat, with dry ones over them at night. Another patient wore two pairs of wet drawers for the same disease by day.
In another case, patient was ordered packing-sheets and long cold baths, and slept in a wet dress that fitted him, with a dry one over it; the whole being covered with a thick blanket. The patient described that his dress very soon became dry, whilst the blanket was wet and he was cold. To obviate this, Priessnitz told him to put on a second blanket, and in two hours take it off.
Where parties are otherwise in tolerable health, this complaint is always curable in about eight or nine months. When health is established, contractility takes place. In cases where patients have been long under medical treatment, the cure of fistula requires great patience and perseverance.
Morning, packing-sheet and bath; noon, rubbing-sheet, douche; afternoon, four o’clock, douche; five o’clock, packing-sheet and bath.
Bandage to waist and part affected. The latter made of old linen.
Cold food is better for this complaint than hot. No sitz-baths.
All these diseases are successfully combated by hydropathy.
Away from Priessnitz, excessive menstruation requires cautious treatment. Persons so afflicted may, however, adopt the following means of relief.
At the period, wear a large bandage round the waist, wash the body with cold water on rising in the morning.
Drink plentifully of cold water.
When discharge has ceased, use a sitz-bath for fifteen minutes, once or twice a day.
If patient is very ill she must remain in bed lightly covered, wearing a very broad bandage, which must be changed every five minutes, or at most, every ten minutes, until better.
In cases of flooding, equally broad bandage, very wet, and changed often; also bandage the calves of the legs, and change it every five or ten minutes.
In case of great weakness, a tepid bath of 64° for eight or ten minutes, with much friction, must be resorted to, fresh water being constantly added, and fresh air admitted into the room.
At the period when menstruation is coming on, if in great pain, let the abdomen, feet, and legs, be well rubbed for a long time by hands dipped often in cold water.
Too frequent Menstruation.—This frequently arises from weakness; in that case, the general treatment to fortify the system is requisite.
Three rubbing-sheets a day, drink plentifully of cold water, eat everything cold.
On rising in the morning, wash internal parts well with a sponge. If this is not sufficient, add packing-sheet and cold bath in the morning, and during the week, take two tepid sitz-baths fifteen minutes, 62°, rubbing the abdomen all the time. Change waist bandage often.
Irregular Menstruation.—A lady, apparently in good health, came to Gräfenberg in 1840. She suffered greatly from head-aches, occasioned by irregular menstruation; when she arrived, though catamenia was strong, she was ordered a sitz-bath, when it ceased and returned in fourteen days. During the patient’s stay, it returned three times, notwithstanding which the treatment was continued.
Sweating morning and evening two hours, followed by first tepid and then cold bath.
During the day two tepid sitz-baths, followed immediately by tepid foot-baths, fifteen minutes each.
Douche three minutes. Head-bath, five minutes each side, making fifteen minutes.
Ten to twelve glasses of water, used waist bandages, and took much exercise. Cured in six weeks.
Suppressed Menstruation.—When catamenia comes on, except in extraordinary cases, all the operations of the Water-cure are suspended, but when patients are in a crisis or fever, they are continued. When menstruation, from any cause, is suppressed, the following treatment is prescribed.
Three or four times a day, three or four rubbing-sheets, not much wrung out, with great friction. These are each time to be followed by tepid foot-baths of fifteen minutes each.
A lady at Gräfenberg, for this complaint, took packing-sheet and tepid bath in the morning, four rubbing-sheets at noon, four in the afternoon, and four at night; between each rubbing-sheet, she walked or ran naked about the room, with the windows open, though in the depth of a Silesian winter. This treatment brought on catemenia the third day. No bandage was used. If blood had gone to the head, then foot-baths were to have been applied, and the feet and legs rubbed with hands dipped in water the whole time. If these means had failed, then the sitz-bath and douche were to have been added to the treatment. After every operation, patient must go out of doors and take much exercise, and drink not less than twelve glasses of water a day. In some cases, cold foot-baths are more active than tepid ones; and in obstinate complaints of this kind, the sweating process is useful.
Pains in the Womb.—Tepid sitz-bath from forty minutes to an hour, rubbing the abdomen well whilst in the bath with wet hands. Sweating in cold weather beneficial; in hot weather the contrary. To effect a cure, the general health must be established.
Hæmorrhage, Irregular Menstruation, &c.—A patient aged 42, was cured of hæmorrhage in six minutes.
Packing-sheet followed by rubbing-sheet, were first resorted to. After three weeks it became necessary to increase the packing-sheets to fifty a day. They were applied from the arm-pits down to the hips. Patient kept in a perfect state of repose.
In five days this treatment stopped the hæmorrhage; then packing-sheets and cold baths twice a day, were had recourse to, until patient was cured. No sitz-baths. Large bandage, often renewed, was always worn round the waist.
An English lady of title, nearly exhausted from violent hæmorrhage, arrived at Gräfenberg in October. She was ordered not to put her foot to the ground for two months, to sleep with her window open, and to be covered with one sheet only. After the packing-sheets, she was carried to the cold bath and back to bed. She felt as in an ice-house. In two months, great improvement: then, though winter, and the ground was covered with snow, she was ordered to go out without bonnet or umbrella, and as lightly clad as possible; and to douche twice a day for ten minutes. Everything being done to cause contraction. In May she was declared perfectly cured. The husband, on coming to her, was in ecstasies at her healthy appearance, and was at a loss to find words to express his gratitude to Priessnitz.
Head-ache, Pain in the Limbs, and great uneasiness.—A child taken in the night with the above symptoms accompanied with fever, was ordered immediately—
Rubbing-sheet, sitz-bath, and head-bath; at noon, rubbing-sheet and sitz-bath; afternoon, packing-sheet twenty minutes, and tepid-bath.
If the packing-sheet heated soon, then to be changed for twenty minutes.
If symptoms continued, renew the rubbing-sheets, sitz, and head-baths, in the night.
Patient well in the afternoon.
Pain in the Breast.—A lady, two days after her confinement, had her breast hardened by milk, so that she could not endure the infant’s attempt to draw it. She applied the bandage, covered with a dry one; it was immediately soothing, and in less than an hour, the milk began to flow.
The Whites.—These find a certain cure in hydropathy. Very often sitz-bath, beginning with tepid water and afterwards using cold and injections, effect the object. When they do not, rubbing sheet and the douche are resorted to.
A case within my knowledge was cured by the following treatment:
Three tepid sitz-baths 60° daily; morning, two packing sheets; one fifteen minutes, the other twenty-five minutes, followed by cold bath, with cold water thrown over the body; afternoon, the sheets were repeated, and either a rubbing sheet or cold bath. When patient did not feel well the tepid bath was used. Body bandage worn always.
Health would be re-established by a few months’ treatment—such as rubbing-sheets and douche; drinking water and wearing the bandage. Those who cannot devote time to go to Gräfenberg, should take a rubbing sheet every morning, wear a waist bandage, and drink seven or eight tumblers of water a-day.
Pain at the Chest, Dry Cough, Weak Digestion, Pain and Pressure at the Nape of the Neck, Cold Feet, Great Emaciation and Suppression of Catemenia for three months, Skin dry and hard, Unable to Walk.—A lady, 38 years of age, for the above symptoms, was treated as follows:—
Morning, packing-sheet and tepid-bath; noon, rubbing-sheet; afternoon, as in the morning.
Bandages on chest and abdomen day and night.
Ten glasses of water drank daily.
In ten days able to walk a little, cough eased, better spirits.
In a month, skin softer; and shortly after, a cold plunge-bath was ordered instead of tepid.
Accouchement.—Experience has demonstrated the utility of cold ablutions, sitz-baths, simple diet, and exercise in the air, to females enceinte; water should be substituted for all stimulants. Madame Priessnitz, for her easy and prompt accouchements, is indebted to cold water and sitz-baths, which she took daily for six weeks previous.
The following statement to me in writing, by an American gentleman, shews the value that ought to be set on hydropathy by ladies.
“From 1837 to 1844 inclusive, Mrs. —— was, to all appearance, very healthy, but had an abortive accouchement every year, sometimes twice a year. After the second accident of this nature, she took advice; when, on one occasion, she was subjected to depletion; another, she was advised to pass her time entirely in a recumbent position; she had the best advice that could be procured in Boston, Florence, and Liverpool. These mishaps caused her many distressing and alarming symptoms. She now went to a hydropathic establishment for a few weeks, and derived great benefit from the treatment; this determined her on going to Gräfenberg, when Priessnitz assured her, if confined there, no doubt need be entertained of a favourable result, or the life of the infant. In April, 1845, she arrived at Gräfenberg; after six weeks she became unwell, and continued so for some time; she, however, persevered in the full treatment until April, 1846, when she gave birth to a male child weighing twelve pounds, six ounces.
“Her treatment had been packing-sheet and cold bath in the morning, rubbing-sheets, douche, and sitz-baths in the after part of the day, all the winter. The latter she took the very morning of her accouchement.
“During labour, the bandages round the waist were quite wet, and changed every ten minutes. She was also ordered to walk and use her arms as much as possible.
“After the birth, she was washed twice a day with tepid water 15°, with wet towels.
“The child, immediately on entering the world, was put into water as it came from the fountain; afterwards warm water was mixed with it until it reached 15°. The child’s baths were afterwards tepid 15°, and gradually reduced to 12°. After two months he had two of these baths a day.
“In case of pain in the bowels bandages were applied; if not attended with immediate relief, a cold clyster. He is now three years old, strong and cheerful; his mother free from all those symptoms hitherto so obstinate, mysterious, and apparently fatal. I leave Gräfenberg with the highest sense of gratitude towards the wonderful man, whose intuitive genius has proved such a blessing to thousands. I regard hydropathy a thousand times more as a science of life than a remedial agent. I have seen enough to convince me that he who lives according to its precepts, must, barring accidents and pestilence, live to a good old age; it will teach all to make their passions harmonise with their organisation, and then it will be, not only a medicine, but a religion.”
If fever of any kind supervenes upon accouchements, wet sheets and tepid-baths are resorted to.
Pregnancy.—A delicate lady, who accompanied her husband to Gräfenberg, became in the family-way; she had long suffered from derangement of the stomach, which now became much worse: she wasted away and became weakly.
Ordered two rubbing-sheets daily, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. A sitz-bath occasionally.
Bandage round the waist, always drank plentifully of water.
Under this treatment, she became stout and plump. She walked until the day before her accouchement. When she felt the pains of labour coming on, Priessnitz caused her to sit up until the last moment, with a bandage round the abdomen, which, during labour, was changed every six minutes. The delivery was quick and easy.
Experience shews the utility of cold ablutions and exercise in the open air, to females who are in the family-way. To this add simple diet, and drinking plentifully of cold water. All stimulants should be avoided. A sitz-bath occasionally, and a bandage when sensations of pain are felt, will also be beneficial.
Sterility.—I could enumerate instances out of number, of parties (who had often deplored the absence of children) having families, after undergoing the cleansing and fortifying process of the Water-cure.
A gentleman, now an M.P., and his lady, were travelling for their health in Italy. A friend of mine at Venice, advised them to go to Gräfenberg. They did so, and after five months, the lady became enceinte. She wrote afterwards, that she had been married eleven years without having had a child; that since her trip to Gräfenberg she had three. Her meeting with that gentleman at Venice, she said she looked upon as an act of divine Providence.
Difficulty in passing Urine.—Wash the parts with cold water often; the body twice a-day; bandage the parts; drink plentifully of water and eat grapes.
Bandage (wet) round the head; lie in bed and change body-bandage often. Tepid sitz-bath 62° for forty minutes. If after a few hours, patient is not better, resort to packing-sheet and tepid bath; or three or four rubbing-sheets twice or thrice a-day, followed by tepid foot-baths.
When they proceed from nervousness, rubbing-sheet for three or four minutes, well wetting the head first, followed by sitz-bath for fifteen minutes. When these fail, resort to packing-sheet and tepid bath. Head-bandage.
It frequently happens that well washing the head, rubbing the temples for a long time with wet hands, and wearing a wet bandage as a turban, the head-ache is relieved.
Head-ache and Flushing from anxiety.—A lad was ordered:
Foot-bath twenty minutes; feet very much rubbed during that time. Body bandaged and bandage often changed.
Tepid sitz-bath 62° quarter of an hour; head-bath for ten minutes, and afterwards bandage round it very often terminates head-ache at once.
When head-ache is obstinate, the duration of the sitz-bath must be extended, and a perpetual bandage from the ankle to the knee. This, though it may produce an eruption, may be continued for months. Bandage the head night and day.
Head-ache.—For a violent head-ache, Priessnitz ordered the body bandage to be changed every ten minutes. This did not answer—when patient was relieved by the following treatment; a rubbing-sheet for five minutes, and sitz-bath for an hour, the head being bandaged all the time.
A lady of a fine strong constitution, suffering from intense nervous head-ache, was treated as follows:—
Morning, packing-sheet and bath, followed by head-bath, three minutes to each side, and the same to the back, making nine minutes; noon, rubbing-sheet, sitz-bath; afternoon as in the morning. Patient always went without stockings and bonnet. In three months health much improved and headache less frequent.
Head-ache.—Some head-aches are relieved by fomenting the forehead and temples with towels wetted with hot water for half an hour, occasionally washing and rubbing those parts with cold water; when, if not cured, the treatment should be repeated, and afterwards a bandage may be applied.