The water-cure manual : a popular work, embracing descriptions of the various modes of bathing, the hygienic and curative effects of air, exercise, clothing, occupation, diet, water-drinking, &c. : together with descriptions of diseases, and the hydropathic means to be employed therein, illustrated with cases of treatment and cure containing, also, a fine engraving of Priessnitz

Front matter

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WATER-CURE MANUAL.

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Preface

Something upwards of four years ago, it became the privilege of the author to commence, in a small way, the introduction of the new system of water in the city of New York. A little upwards of three years since, he prepared a work entitled " Hydropathy, or the Water-Cure," and soon after a cheaper one, designed for more general circulation, " The Hand-Book of Hydropathy." These works have had considerable circulation, and the editions are now nearly exhausted. It is under these circumstances, that the present volume has been prepared.

Considering the time the author has practised the new mode, he has had a very considerable share of experience therein. This work, as will be seen, is mainly an original one, and contains the results of his own observations and experiments. An apology, however, is due, for the manner in which it is written. The author's duties have been so very numerous and arduous, it has been impossible for him to give that care and attention to style and method of arrangement desirable. Partly during the storms and calms at sea, partly during a short stay at Grafenberg, and

PREFACE.

partly while in attendance upon the sick, but more during hours that should have been devoted to sleep, this little volume has been prepared. For inaccuracies in style, then, the friends of the system will excuse the author, he cannot otherwise than believe. But for the principles of practice herein contained, he will be considered strictly responsible.

The water treatment, so called, practised to a greater or less extent in all ages and periods of time, but owing its origin as a distinct and permanent system to Vincent Priessnitz, is the greatest discovery, the greatest improvement, which ever yet came to man. In connexion with the many other valuable works that have been written on the subject, may this aid in the promulgation of the great principles of the cause.

New York, March, 1847.

THE WATER-CURE MANUAL.

Chapter I. Vincent Priessnitz, Grafenberg, And The Water-cure.*

" Discover what will destroy life, and you are a great man, — what will prolong it, and you are an impostor. Discover some invention in machinery that will make the rich more richy and the poor more poor, and they will build you a statue ! Discover some mystery in art that will equalize disparities, and they will pull down their houses to stone you."

Bolwer.

Friewaldau is a small German town of three thousand inhabitants, situated in a somewhat narrow valley, extending between two portions of the mountains named Sudates, of Austrian Silesia, Germany. Persons who have read of this place as being a " dirty little town," will be agreeably disappointed in visiting it, provided they have within them the spirit of candor, by which to judge of men and things. The brisk streams of exceedingly pure, limpid water that pass through Friewaldau, run swiftly, and large water-wheels, like those of a steamboat,

* The best term, perhaps, for the treatment by water, is the plain English one, Water-Cur'!. Somewhere, it has taken the name of Hydropathy. This has been a source of sneering on the part of objectors to the treatment, inasmuch as the term signifies water-disease, instead of water-cure. The Germans call it wasscrcur (wasserkoor.) Hydrotherapeutics, which means, kealing with water, has been used by some. So, also, the word Hydriatice.

10 THE WATEII-CUKE MANUAL.

are erected over them, with the paddles extending into the water, and thus the wheels are made to turn. By this means, manufacturing purposes of different kinds are carried on. There appear to be no cascades in these small streams, such as we often find in New England and some other parts, but there is gradual and yet rapid descent. The houses have a cleanly aspect ; still there is not that air of neatness seen in many of our American villages. Everything bears the impress of quiet and simplicity ; and, from the number of crucifixes and images frequently to be met with, we must conclude that these industrious people are not unmindful of sacred things. A candid person, of whatever belief, could hardly object to the religious observances here seen, provided no undue importance is attached to them. One thing is certain ; the inhabitants of these rude mountain parts are remarkably kind and honest in their dealings with their fellow-men. A boot-maker makes you a pair of boots, or a tailor a coat ; he works for days extra, if need be, and without charge, to make a fit ; but if you try to beat him down in price, he is displeased, and will not thank you for your work. Going, at evening, up the mountain to Grafenberg, a stranger, you meet a fruit-woman returning home ; you wish to buy of her some fine, costly grapes ; you cannot make change ; so she tells you, (by her actions, if you cannot understand her language,) that she will trust you to another day. The next morning you see her among the fruit-women, up at Priessnitz's ; but she does not intrude upon you with her dun. You go towards her, with your hand full of change, and she smiles, to see that you remember the grapes : and, if you cannot speak a word of German, know nothing of the currency, and are with her alone, you may be certain she will take from you not one fraction over her regular price. Such, as a rule, appear to be the habits of the German peasants, whether Protestant or Catholic, in these parts.

This beautiful valley at Friewaldau, extends in a direction nearly east and west. The mountains, each side, rise to about twelve hundred feet, and are made up of pleasant eminences and slopes, varying in appearance and height, and are mostly arable, to the very tops. Portions of plough land and beautiful forest are interspersed.

Grafenberg* is a small colony of some twenty houses, and is situated about half-way up one of these mountains, having a southerly exposure, as nearly as I can recollect, of the sun at mid-day. From a point a little way off, we have an extended view upon the plains of Prussia. The mountain-tops, the hill-sides, the valley, and, in fact, everything the eye can reach, is, by nature, beautiful in the extreme. The air is as pure and exhilarating as can be conceived ; springs, in almost every direction, are found gushing forth, and the water is of purity and softness rarely to be met with. A more fit place than this could not be found in which for Providence to raise up an humble peasant genius, whose lot should be to present to the world the greatest improvement yet known to man.

A person comes from the refined cities, London or Paris, or he may have made his way from New York, or from some other part of our country, across the wide Atlantic. He has, we will suppose, some inveterate malady, of which all ordinary means have failed to bring relief. He has, we may imagine, some disease of a limb, that the best and most experienced in surgery have declared could never be removed. Persons of similar ailment have frequently been cured by Priessnitz ; and now the person, after a long, tedious journey, arrives at the far-famed spot. He looks upon that most wonderful man of whom he has heard so much ; and strange as it may appear, his extreme simplicity of manners and appearance is equalled only by his goodness, and his goodness by the simplicity of the system he practises. The emotions of such an invalid can be imagined only by those who have been similarly circumstanced, and have themselves resorted to the place.

The learned may say, as often has been, of Vincent Pkiessnitz, that these most wonderful cures are easy

* Grafenberg is situated about 18 English miles from NeissS, 70 from Breslau, 260 from Berlin, 200 from Dresden, 160 from Prague, 63 fro"- Olmutz, and 175 from Vienna.

enough, — that it is not water-cure, but more the imagination, the pure air, the exercise, the mental repose, the regularity of habits, and the temperance observed ; or that it is not by one circumstance, but by a combination of favorable agencies, that these cures are performed. What candid man does not know that all this is neither more or less than Priessnitz and all his followers advocate as being true ; and one thing is certain, — the practice of this man has been attended with a greater degree of success than that of any other individual who has ever lived. No honest, well-informed physician will deny this, — not one. Facts are facts, and cannot be overthrown. With this immense power of mind, combined with the most artless simplicity and honesty of a child, to what more envious reputation than that of Priessnitz, can the human heart aspire ?

It is wonderful to witness the power of one man's mind over that of other men. Priessnitz is, according to the world's ways, unlearned ; and yet, in different countries, learned men have formed institutions like his. Some of these are sumptuously arranged, and possess every luxury and convenience of civilized life ; yet Priessnitz receives two, if not four times more patients than any of these. Since the dawn of Christianity, more than that of any other human being, will the light of Priessnitz pass, as the sun through the air, into the minds of men.

I shall be accused of undue enthusiasm, I know. It cannot be said, however, that I am prepossessed in favor of Priessnitz, from long acquaintance and favors received. My stay with him was only short. It is true, I had, for years, practised his system, and with results at which I could not complain ; his teachings, too, had, through the providence of God, come to me indirectly, from afar. From the treatment Priessnitz has too often received, he could not be expected to lavish favors upon an educated physician; nor does he, in any instance, give written recommendations, since every man's work, like his own, recommends, necessarily, itself. I honor Priessnitz greatly. I respect his rare ability and honesty, I trust, in accordance with hia worth.

VINCENT PKIESSNITZ. 13

What, in future ages, are to be the results of this great man's work ? A patient asks of his physician, " What do you think of the water-cure V He answers, " Oh, water is a very good thing, — a good thing in its place, as we always have known ; and diet, and air, and exercise, and cleanliness, are all good, certainly, as none of us deny. People do not need medicine, if they will but give attention to these." But, says the patient, " If these means are so useful, why have you not told us before ? We become sick, and send for you. You set one poison to catch another ; and mischief, you admit, often results. You cause disease in one part, with the hope of curing it in another. You admit that, on the whole, more harm than good is done in the healing art."

There are, then, two striking facts relating to the progress of water-cure at this day. Physicians admit the power of our means, and contend for medicine only as the exception to the rule. Second : It is notorious, how little confidence medical men have in the profession at large. Sweep, say they, all medical practice from the world, and there is at once a diminution of disease, suffering, and premature death. Can we have confidence in the work of such a profession as this 1

Again : Teetotalism, with all its blessings, is yet, as many see, a thing far short of what it ought to be. It is true, many a broken heart has been healed ; many a wife made happy again ; and many a wanderer brought back from the error of his way ; but yet, so long as temperance goes no further than alcohol, there is great reason to fear that the movement will retrograde. If men persist in loving stimulation, they will be very apt to get back in the old way. If tea, coffee, tobacco, and medicinal stimulants are continued, who shall determine how many will be driven back?

Priessnitz comes then before the world with doctrines, carried out in practice, that arc in advance of all former times. He says practically, " It is a law of nature, that in the sweat, of thy brow shalt thou eat bread. The sluggard, the gormand, and the inebriate, cannot have health at any price. Health, like truth and every thing good, must be

14 THE WATER-CUEE MANUAL.

wrought for. Perform honest labor daily in the open air, 6e cleanly, be seasonable in your hours, drive away the ten thousand useless corroding cares of artificial life. Be temperate in all your actions and habits. Tea, coffee, tobacco, heating spices, and exciting condiments, all act upon the same principle of drug substances, and should be avoided, if you wish to enjoy happiness and health." Now all this, and much more, Preissnitz says, and the most remarkable part of the matter is, he is great enough to induce men to carry out in practice the doctrines he insists upon. It is one thing to assert a truth, and very different to bring men to act according to it.

The moral effects of the great system of Priessnitz should not be lost sight of. It is said, " cleanliness is next to godliness." We do not see the cleanly, sober, industrious, temperate and healthy man, committing evil deeds. The quarrelsome, the licentious, and the wicked, we shall find, all have their improper dietetic and physical habits, and that these have preceded the moral evils such persons practise. " It is always," says Priessnitz, " the weak and enervated who are the most sensual and debased." " The healthy man has pure tastes, independently of his greater self-command."

I express feebly, I am aware, my convictions concerning the merits of Vincent Priessnitz ; I appeal to those who have had the best opportunities of becoming acquainted with the man, if I have estimated his merits too highly. If I have in any wise exaggerated, there is little to fear but that the truth will soon become known. To no living man probably is there more of the world's attention at this time directed, than to Vincent Priessnitz, of the mountains of Germany.

A considerable number of individuals from our country have already been under treatment at Grafenberg. I have myself sent patients there. While lately in Germany, I was most happy in travelling in company with Mr. Stiles, our very worthy Charge d'Affaires at Vienna. He having been subject, more or less, for years, to a complication of chronic ailments, was cured the past summer by Priessnitz.

VINCENT PKIESSNITZ. 15

He is a most ardent admirer of the new practice. My friend and patient, Mr. D. A. Cushman, of this city, was with Priessnitz at the same time with Mr. Stiles, and was himself much benefitted, as he had also been by a course of treatment just before leaving home.

There are many in our country who, through excessive mental care and labor, injurious modes of medical treatment, and neglect of due attention to dietetic and other hygienic habits, have brought upon themselves inveterate ailments. These cases often resist all ordinary modes of treatment. In great numbers of cases of this kind, it is acknowledged on all hands, that drug medicines do no good, but on the contrary, as a general fact, decided harm. Persons of this class, who can contentedly leave home, will in no way do so well as to resort to Grafenberg. We have, it is true, a number of very good water institutions in this country, but none of them possess all the advantages of a rude mountain location, like Grafenberg ; nor is there probably any water so pure in any establishment yet formed in this country, as that used by Priessnitz, besides the long journey to Grafenberg, the separation from mental cares and excitements, are circumstances highly favorable. The voyage across the Atlantic, if understandingly prosecuted, has many advantages. The sea-sickness, which almost all must experience, is unpleasant enough, and always of itself injurious ; the fasting, patients are compelled to practise in connexion, generally more than compensates the harm, and in some cases works wonders. This is especially true if pure soft water, like the Croton, is at the time freely drank. People latterly are beginning to learn the value of this practice. The mental repose, the agreeable and entertaining society of those very excellent masters of our American ships, the alternations to manly exercises in climbing the ship's rig. ging, the promenades, the pure invigorating air, the pleasant calms and majestic storms often experienced at sea, constitute likewise a change, in many instances attended with the best results. No person, however, of very feeble frame should undertake a journey to Grafenberg, or a voyage across the wide ocean, without first obtaining the advice of

16 THE WATER-CUlUi MANUAL.

some competent physician who has himself been at sea. Fresh air, water, exercise and diet, powerful means as they are, will not cure every thing as we of the new system are sometimes accused of advocating. It will be well, moreover, in many instances, for persons to make a beginning in water treatment at home, before undertaking a voyage to Europe.

The expense of going to Grafenberg for a cure will necessarily detain many from the attempt. It is easy, however, by economy, to go cheaply. There are now very good ships that sail regularly to Hamburg. A person, going by one of these, arrives at Grafenberg for less than one hundred dollars. In Priessnitz's establishment all expenses foradvice, treatment, servants' fees, &c. , amount toaboutfive dollars per week. At Friewaldau, the town in the valley, thirty or fort}' minutes walk from Grafenberg, patients can remain for less, having at the same time the medical care of Priessnitz. In England the cost is three to four times as much as at Priessnitz's.

As an instance of the favorable effects of a very plain diet, which is also an example of cheap living, Priessnitz told me of a lady patient of his at Friewaldau, who had been in all the refinement and luxury, so-called, of European life, who was at that time (Nov. 1846) living simply upon brown bread and water, with a small quantity of milk. Her food cost daily 12 kreutzer, or between nine and ten cents, American money. She was doing remarkably well. Lodgings may here be obtained at one dollar, or even less, per week. A bath attendant will need about fifty cents per week (the price in Priessnitz's own house), and the fee for Priessnitz's attendance is, say one dollar per week, although many increase it two-fold or more. A patient then may be treated at Freiwaldau at a very low price, having at the same time the advice of Priessnitz.

One objection to some establishments in this country is the high price charged. This however will not last long. There are oertainly, among our hills and mountains, and in our forests, places where establishments may be formed so that patients may resort to them at a very moderate price.

VINCENT PRIESSN1TZ. 17

Most articles of food are cheap in this country ; patients who are able to walk about, and do most of their treatment without aid, as they should to obtain the best effects, may be received into a rude mountain establishment for at most a half dollar per day, including the advice of the physician ; and indeed, if they furnish their own bedding, blankets, &c, there is no reason why a smaller sum may not be taken, provided the concern is got up in some mountain district, where the soil and water may be had at a very low price. A great number of persons in this country need water treatment, who will be deprived of going to an establishment unless some cheap one is formed. Such there should be in this country, and such we shall soon have, with competent practitioners at the head of them. The water system is admirably calculated for home practice, as I have always contended. We can have towels, wet sheets, wash-tubs, watering-pots, and injection-pipes, every where, and with these simple contrivances strong work can be done. But as things exist, there are many advantages arising from the gathering patients together in an establishment. At home the patient is often annoyed by the fears, importunities, and meddlesomeness of friends. " Water will kill you." — "You will certainly starve to death." — "These water doctors kill a great many folks." — "How bad you are getting to look." — " Oh, my husband, I dreamed last night that I saw you die, and water killed you ; why will you use cold water ?" Such are the expressions the patient is annoyed with ; and besides all this, he is often thwarted in his efforts, and is unable to carry out his resolutions, however good, amid the temptations and luxuries of home. In an establishment we have the increased influence of numbers. The strong uphold the weak. There are always here resolute, industrious, and persevering men and women, who enter right heartily into the work. The example of one man influences the many ; and better than all, you have the personal practice of the presiding genius of the establishment to guide you. He lives, and eats and drinks with you, and if he be true to his calling, exhibits in his own life, physical and moral, the precepts you are to follow.

So important is it that every individual sustain his every faculty, bodily and mental, to the highest possible pitch, patients should take to heart the duty of doing every thing in their power by which to regain health. If you place confidence in your physician, follow his directions implicitly. Let there be no lack on your part, and then you hold him responsible for what he promises. If you shirk any part of his treatment, you give him a loop-hole to get out. Priessnitz, like every practitioner, has difficulty on this score. Not unfrequently it is necessary for him to make an example of some one, who becomes delinquent, and will not follow out the work. He is the easiest man in the world to get along with ; simple and artless as a child. He does not get ill-tempered, but if you disobey him by not carrying out his reasonable requisitions, you will find it is no small man with whom you have to do.

A water establishment ought by rights to be away from all bad influences, as in a forest place. There should be allowed no tippling, no candy-shops, no confectioners, or the like. At Freiwaldau, on a convenient side of the town next to Priessnitz's, there is a confectionary establishment which appears to be supported principally by the water-cure patients. Every patient knows Priessnitz is much displeased. He has been the means of building up one half or more of the best of the town, and brings a great deal of money there. In every sense of the word, it is wrong for such an establishment to be kept up contrary to his wishes. No one, however, is to blame so much as some of the patients. I met a friend at Priessnitz's, (I say a friend, for so far away from home every American seems a near friend,) who had closed up his business and went to Grafenberg, so that if possible to get a cure. He made it a serious matter with him. He complained rather of being not the slightest better, although he had been there a number of weeks. Now, it may seem strange, I saw this friend in that confectionary establishment, feasting upon the good things, cure or no cure, as the case might be. Poor human nature, is indeed weak !

It will not be uninteresting to the friends of water, to learn that Priessnitz has been well rewarded in a pecuniary way for the services he has rendered the world. From being a very humble farmer in circumstances, he has, through industry and the strictest honesty, become very rich. He is now estimated to be worth nearly a million of dollars. All his wealth and honors, however, make no difference with him in his appearance or actions. The past year, the king of Austria, as is said, presented him with the highest medal awarded by the government. Distinctions without number have been conferred upon him ; but he is yet the same simple, plain, unpretending man. Should you meet him among the mountain peasants and farmers, you could not distinguish him from the rest by his clothing. It is as plain and homespun as their's. You see him, however, as one whom you delight to look upon. Indeed, you would know that you were in the presence of no ordinary man, but yet so humble and unpretending is his appearance, you know not why you are thus impressed.

Anecdotes of Priessnitz, and cases of cure. — It is due to Priessnitz, and the great system he has so ably brought forth for the world, that as many facts as possible that have transpired during his career, be recorded. In giving some details of this kind, I shall make myself indebted to the various authorities that have fallen in my way, especially to the very excellent work of Captain Claridge, of England.

Priessnitz, as is now generally well understood, derived his first knowledge of the curative effects of water, by accident. Those only who have been at Grafenberg, and are aquainted with the modes in which the affairs of Government are carried on in the Austrian part of Germany, can have any adequate idea of the difficulties he had to contend with. In this, our country of experiments, changes and reforms, the matter would be very different. The sick saw his first cures upon himself and others, and it was only of the best part of human nature that they should desire his aid, although he was not by law allowed to practise the healing art. Medical men growing envious, he was arraigned before the authorities as an impostor. There is one amusing anecdote about this matter. Priessnitz had the credit of curing a miller of the gout. The miller's former physician was wrathful, and prosecuted Priessnitz for practising without license. The miller was summoned before the court to give his testimony, and being inquired of as to who had relieved him, answered, " Both — the doctor of my money, and Priessnitz of my gout." Whatever may have been true in this case, it is demonstrated now, that a great many might in truth affirm of their doctors and Priessnitz, as did the miller of Freiwaldau.

Priessnitz was, however, at length fined, and forbidden to go on with his operations. Confident in the truth and merits of his system, and backed by those he had been so fortunate as to cure, he appealed against the decision of the court, and it was set aside. By this time the governmental authorities at Vienna began to take an interest in his proceedings, and sent a medical commission of inquiry to his establishment. It was a fortunate thing that old Baron Turkheim, the head of the medical department, a man celebrated for his liberality, independence, and scientific acquirements, was also at the head of this commission. He staid some time at Grafenberg, and on his return to Vienna, being at a medical meeting, he was asked what he thought of the " new charlatanism ?" when he replied, "Priessnitz is an honest man, and no impostor ; and his mode of treatment is more successful than ours ; believe me, gentlemen, you have much to learn from this countryman."

The world persists in having no confidence in simple means. Disease is reckoned a living something within, that can only be killed by substances harsh and powerful. Through centuries traditions have been handed down, and fallacies perpetuated. Thus simple agencies have not obtained. It is so in every country. I have administered water emetics, and physicians have asked the friends gravely, if they were sure I put no medicine in the water. So with injections, the same question has been asked, in this enlightened city of New- York, and in the middle of the nineteenth century. The same lack of knowledge concerning the effect of a very simple means, was exhibited by the medical commission just referred to. They analyzed the Grafenberg water to discover its mystic virtues ! but how were they disappointed to find it was nothing but pure spring water ! Then the sponges used at first by Priessnitz, it was thought must contain some secret remedy. These were also analyzed with great care, and, of course, nothing found.

Great numbers of cases, exhibiting the strikingly powerful effects of water as administered by Priessnitz, have been published. Some of them will not be unwelcome to my readers.

In the early part of Priessnitz's practice, he was in the habit of going long distances, to treat persons whose cases had resisted the ordinary modes. It seemed almost as if no distance was too great, or anything too difficult for him to undertake. One very cold winter, he went a long way, not being well at the time. He travelled in an open conveyance, and was thus much exposed. He was there requested to go on further, so that, by the time he reached home, late at night, his lower limbs were frozen. The next day, his legs were swollen, accompanied with fever and inflammation in the stomach and bowels. After some preliminary treatment, he said to his wife, " I must now go immediately into the shallow bath, and be rubbed, or I shall be laid up with a dangerous illness, perhaps a fatal one ; do you see that it is properly done, and the proper effect produced, before I get out." He remained several hours in the bath, two bath-servants carrying on the ablution, and rubbing, without intermission, until the circulation was equalized. Two hours after the bath, a profuse, spontaneous perspiration set in, and the next day he was without a symptom of anything wrong, feeling only weak and tired. Is it, then, to be wondered at, that he should have such confidence, himself, in the remedial powers of water, or that his patients, when they see similar results frequently taking place, should be inspired with the same feelings 1