means the final extirpation from the
system the cause of disease, and the
relief of the patient from pain, then, the
cure by the cold water method is
radical ! But if to be radical, a cure is
sought which is to prevent a return of
the disease, in cases of parties exposing
themselves to the same influences which
originated the disease, then neither this
nor any other means of treatment will
produce such an effect.
As to danger from the cold water
treatment there can be no active mode
of treatment more innocent, with refer-
ence to its present or future effects, if
applied with judgment ; but if not, it
may be followed by very dangerous
consequences.
The water used must be cold, and
fresh, and soft; that is, it must have
the quality of dissolving, and therefore
must be cold, and without any mineral
properties. To prove its fitness, linen
cloth washed in it must become white,
and vegetables dressed in it must be
tender.
The Sweating Process Is the
most disagreeable part of the treatment ;
but it is the most important, and the
benefits derived from it compensate for
the unpleasantness of its duration.
The patient is enclosed, naked, in a
large coarse blanket, the legs extended,
and the arms kept close to the body ;
the blanket is then wound round it, as
tight ns possible, turning it well under
at the feet ; over this is placed, and well
tucked in a small feather bed, some-
times two ; and then a sheet and a
counterpane are spread over all ; thus,
the patient resembles a mummy. Some-
times when perspiration is difficult, the
head, except the face, is covered. Per-
spiration begins in about 45 minutes,
and then the irritation goes off. The
patient should lie perspiring at least one
hour. The windows in the room must
be opened, and a glass of cold water
given every half hour, to refresh the
patient, and promote perspiration. If
there is headache, a damp cloth may
be wrapped round the head. This
process does not weaken the patient;
he loses neither weight nor strength,
but improves in personal appearance,
even under several processes.
The necessary duration of the process
may be known by profuse perspiration
COLD WATER CURE 130 COLD WATER CURE
on the patient’s face. The person
should be washed well in warm or tepid
water. The sweating process must be
used with great care, and the constitu-
tion of the patient must be considered.
M. Priessnitz, of Silesia, practised and
recommended the cold bath immediately
afterwards. ‘ Strange as it may appear
to many,’ says Dr. Graham, ‘ I consider
the determination towards the skin,
induced by the perspiring blankets, to
be a great advantage, prior to the use
of the cold bath ; because the internal
organs are thereby relieved, and the
shock has quite a different effect on
them from what it would have if they
were not first soothed, and the skin
relieved.’
By this process internal diseases are
often brought to the surface, and pass
away ; the nervous system is wonder-
fully strengthened ; and skin diseases
are annihilated. The sweating contains
morbid matter. M. Priessnitz justly
remarks, —
Consult me
1902Page 156
Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
means the final extirpation from the system the cause of disease, and the relief of the patient from pain, then, the cure by the cold water method is radical ! But if to be radical, a cure is sought which is to prevent a return of the disease, in cases of parties exposing themselves to the same influences which originated the disease, then neither this nor any other means of treatment will produce such an effect.
As to danger from the cold water treatment there can be no active mode of treatment more innocent, with reference to its present or future effects, if applied with judgment ; but if not, it may be followed by very dangerous consequences.
The water used must be cold, and fresh, and soft; that is, it must have the quality of dissolving, and therefore must be cold, and without any mineral properties. To prove its fitness, linen cloth washed in it must become white, and vegetables dressed in it must be tender.
The Sweating Process Is the most disagreeable part of the treatment ; but it is the most important, and the benefits derived from it compensate for the unpleasantness of its duration.
The patient is enclosed, naked, in a large coarse blanket, the legs extended, and the arms kept close to the body ; the blanket is then wound round it, as tight as possible, turning it well under at the feet ; over this is placed, and well tucked in a small feather bed, sometimes two ; and then a sheet and a counterpane are spread over all ; thus, the patient resembles a mummy. Sometimes when perspiration is difficult, the head, except the face, is covered. Perspiration begins in about 45 minutes, and then the irritation goes off. The patient should lie perspiring at least one hour. The windows in the room must be opened, and a glass of cold water given every half hour, to refresh the patient, and promote perspiration. If there is headache, a damp cloth may be wrapped round the head. This process does not weaken the patient; he loses neither weight nor strength, but improves in personal appearance, even under several processes.
The necessary duration of the process may be known by profuse perspiration
COLD WATER CURE 130 COLD WATER CURE
on the patient’s face. The person should be washed well in warm or tepid water. The sweating process must be used with great care, and the constitution of the patient must be considered. M. Priessnitz, of Silesia, practised and recommended the cold bath immediately afterwards. ‘ Strange as it may appear to many,’ says Dr. Graham, ‘ I consider the determination towards the skin, induced by the perspiring blankets, to be a great advantage, prior to the use of the cold bath ; because the internal organs are thereby relieved, and the shock has quite a different effect on them from what it would have if they were not first soothed, and the skin relieved.’
By this process internal diseases are often brought to the surface, and pass away ; the nervous system is wonderfully strengthened ; and skin diseases are annihilated. The sweating contains morbid matter. M. Priessnitz justly remarks, —