Manual of the Turkish bath : heat, a mode of cure and a source of strength for men and animals

Introduction

BY THE EDITOR.

In introducing to the medical profession and to the public a work on the Turkish Bath, by an author not of the profession, it is necessary, in the first instance, to guard against any hasty conclusions, on the one hand ; or, on the other hand, the rejection of statements that may seem at variance with the therapeutic science of men experienced in the value, and justly confident in the indications, which therapeutics afford.

As regards the use of the baths of the ancients in a sanitary point of view, or as an habitual luxury of cleanliness unattainable to the same degree in any other way, doubts will exist only in the minds of those who have not experienced the enjoyment produced by the operation, or the sensations of elasticity and vigour it leaves afterwards.

iv Introduction.

The same persevering confidence which enabled the author to effect the restoration to us of this Greek and Roman luxury may be well excused in regarding the Turkish bath as a panacea, because without such a faith in its powers no one could have laboured so long, or have made the sacrifices required to revive this institution, buried for nearly a thousand years.

The history of medicine shows how generally it is the fate of new remedial agents to be at first overrated, then undervalued, and at last forgotten ; but such a destiny cannot reasonably be anticipated in a case where such a hold is gained upon the feelings and confidence of those who use it, even in instances of commencement in alarm, aversion, or prejudice.

In the year 1859, having previously satisfied my own mind of the efficacy of this process, I brought it under the consideration of the Pathological Society of Newcastle, and afterwards addressed on the subject the House Committee of the Newcastle Infirmary; who, encouraged by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, well experienced during his Eastern travels in the value of the Turkish bath, entered energetically

By the Editor. v

into the enterprise of constructing such baths for the hospital. The effect of this wise measure has been essentially economical, inasmuch, as by shortening considerably the necessary peril id of confinement within the walls of the hospital, less expense lias been incurred in restoring many hundreds of working men to their habits of useful industry.

Great must be the value of a process which in a few minutes will secure a general diaphoresis, bring the circulation to the extremities. and equalize the arterial action, instead of permitting a disordered nervous influence to direct an undue flow upon one tortured part fa the comparative deprivation of arterial blood to other and distant structures ; a process competent to allay spasm immediately, in many cases which might resist all other diaphoretics, or exhibit their effects only in gastric and intestinal irritation.

It may be safe to conclude that it will prove of service in every case of internal congestion, and its effects are most remarkable in obviating disorders and palliating the diseases of the liver and the kidney; as it not only distributes a moro equal circulation, but allays spasm in the vi Introduction.

excretory ducts — the passage of gall-stones, and the sudden relief of liver obstruction, occurring immediately on the use of the bath.

Spasmodic and permanent stricture of the urethra, enlargement of prostate gland, vesical mucous inflammation, albuminuria, and diabetes are palpably amenable to this bath; and in one of the most remarkable cases of strictured urethra of thirty years' duration that ever came under my notice, health was restored, and life, even in advanced age, rendered cheerful and comparatively strong.

In the treatment of the diseases of joints, as may be easily imagined, its efficacy is remarkable, whether they are of an organic and scrofulous character, or inflammatory and rheumatic ; indeed, in many cases of the latter description, the bath, with ordinary attention to the digestive organs, will effect complete restoration, independent of many of those counterirritants so painful in themselves and so often required.

It is in vain to hope for the same remedial powers from the ordinary hot water bath, which can seldom be borne much above 100°, which leaves behind it relaxation, debility, suscepti-

By the Editor. vii

bility to cold, and that moisture of the surface which is coexistent with coldness of the extremities.

I am unable to point out any class of cutaneous diseases in which the Turkish bath may not prove an effectual treatment or an important auxiliary, as the skin which has been long in an almost impervious condition, with obstructed pores and inflamed epithelium, entirely changes its character in a few minutes, and exhibits moisture on its surface, to the inexpressible relief of many uneasy sensations previously experienced.

In bronchial inflammation or laryngeal, the surface affected is instantaneously reached. A clergyman well known for his eloquence, having quite lost his voice for some days, accompanied me to a Turkish bath, which he entered with a whispering hoarseness, but which lie quitted with a restored voice, and continued well enough to preach on the following day.

Instances of sudden relief from spasmodic or inflammatory obstruction of the viscera or their ducts, or gradual relief from chronic disorder, might be multiplied without end, but the Turkish bath is incontestably as valuable a viii Introduction.

remedy in many diseases as it is a luxury and a means of training in health.

We have yet to discover the degree to which our remedial process may be exercised as regards temperature, duration, and frequency; therefore I put to Mr. Urquhart the question, " What is the precise point in effectiveness and economy that may be attained in your belief by your plan of radiating heat, and ventilation by suction ? "

EEPLY.

" The practice to which I have now reached is, on getting out of bed, to go in at 220° (up to 250°), for a period varying from five to ten minutes. I then plunge into cold water and come out to dress, saving at least half-an-hour on the time it would take me to dress without the bath. I repeat the operation at night on going to bed. This takes from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour. Should I require the bath on account of indisposition, incipient or threatened, I repeat the above operation, and continue doing so till the cause has ceased."

In the Newcastle Infirmary the number of

By the Editor. ix

people sent into the Turkish baths amounted to about fifteen a day, according to the report of Dr. Bolton, our house surgeon ; and most of these were under my care. This number does not appear great till it is remembered that there are four physicians and four surgeons, dividing thus the number of cases into eight parts : of these, many with organic diseases, or compound fractures, or requiring capital operations, could not easily enjoy this luxury or obtain its benefits ; and a large proportion of such cases always fall to my lot, as to the share of the three other surgeons.

In an hospital of a more medical and less surgical character, though of less extent altogether, a wider field might be found for the trial of the Turkish bath ; but from what I have witnessed of its effects in health for training, convalescence for enabling the valetudinarian to commence exercise, in disease as a remedy or a palliation, I am not afraid to stake my professional character, by declaring my belief in its efficacy.

JOHN FIFE.

Topics.

1. — Use of Heat in pre-historic times. 2. — The Bath an artificial climate. 3. — A Substitute for exercise.

4. — Its action in acute, chronic, and epidemic disorders.

5. — Arrests consumption. 6. — Prevents the diseases of children. 7. — Effects in insanity. 8. — Discharges poisons, animal and mineral. 9. — Relief in childbirth. 10. — Why man perspires. 11. — Relationship of perspiration to disease. 12. — Temperature of various diseases. 13. — Detection of disease by the smell. 14. — Disease incidental to the restriction by clothing of the discharge through the skin.

15. — Construction of public and private baths, and for asylums and hospitals.

16. — Radiant heat : its connection with solar rays, the source of life and motion.

17. — Muscular power increased, as shown in runners, wrestlers, boxers and Race Horses.

18. — Productiveness increased in regard to work, flesh, milk, and progeny, as shown in Farm Stock.

Maladies.

Albuminuria, vi.

Anaesthesia, 101.

Barrenness, 6, 49.

Bronchial Inflammation, vii.

Bruises, 106.

Bright's Disease, 148, 320 ; case,

Cataract, case of, 304.

Catarrh, 74, 198.

Childbearing, 46 ; case of, 309.

Childbirth, 6, 51, (note), 325.

Congestion, 32.

200, 240, 259, 286.

Contraction of Joints, 27.

Constipation, 195.

Corpulence, 79.

Cough, 274.

Debility, 275.

Delirium Tremens, 217.

Diabetes, vi.

Diarrhoea, 198.

Diphtheria, 321.

Diseases of the Heart, 11, 16, 17

(note).

Diseases of the Joints, vi, 10, 93,

197 ; case of, 315.

Disease of the Kidneys, vi, 197,

Diseases of the Lungs, 11, 188,

327.

Diseases of the Liver, vi, 11, 197,

199, 230.

Diseases of the Skin, vii, 197.

Diseases of the Spine, 191.

Dropsy, 55, 285, 402.

Dysentery, 198.

Eczema, 34, 95.

Enlargement of Prostate Gland,

Yellow, 112.

Haemoptysis, 274.

Hair, Colour restored, 309.

Head, Tendency of Blood to, cases

of, 300.

Headache, 191.

Heartburn, 109.

Hernia, 199.

Inguinal, case of, 304.

Herpes, 145.

Hoarseness, vii.

Hooping Cough, 54.

Hydrophobia, 283, 307; caseof, 299.

Hypochondria, 199, 249.

Xll

Maladies.

227.

Influenza, 198.

Insanity, case of, 306, 347, 352.

Insomnia, 147, 195.

Interna] Congestion, v.

Leprosy, 283 ; case of, 294.

Loss of Sight, case of, 305.

Lumbago, 197.

Myalgia, 72.

Night Perspirations, 275.

Peptorrhcea, 149.

Pneumonia, 254.

Poison, Immunity from, cases,

302.

Prurigo, 39.

Rheumatic Fever, 32.

317.

St. Vitus's Dance, case of, 153,

Scarlatina, case of, 285, 308.

Sciatica, 196, 197.

199; case of, 310.

Sickness, 2.

Sores, 106.

Spasms, v, 32.

Sprains, 8.

Stricture of Urethra, vi.

Tendency of Blood to Head, 300.

Vesicle, Mucous Inflammation, vi.

Viscera, Obstruction of, viii.

PAST II.— CATTLE.

Asphyxia, 371.

Barrenness in Cattle, 398.

Bats (in horses), 392.

Black Quarter, 394.

Bronchitis, 391.

Colic, 391.

Diseases of Skin, 386.

Distemper (in pigs), 391, 395.

Dropsy, 391.

Garget (in dairy stock), 391.

Hardness of Udder, 394.

Indigestion, 391.

Jaundice (in dogs), 391, 395.

Mange (in horses and dogs), 391.

Pleuro-pneumonia (cattle), 393.

Rheumatism, 386, 391.

Scour (in calves), 392.

Sore Shins, 386.

Mouth and Feet (in sheep),

391.

Strains, 390.

Strangles, 391.

Sturdy (in sheep), 391, 394.

Swelling (in head of calf), 391,

PART I. -ACTION ON MEN. FIRST DIALOGUE.— Heat: How useful for Man

and now used by Him

Notes :

Removal 01 Barrenness ..

Ease in Childbirth

Effect of the Bath on the Milk

Ovarian Dropsy

Use of tiie Bath in the Tropics

Page

49 51 53 65 56

SECOND DIALOGUE.— Conversation between Mr. Urquhart and the members of the Medical

Society of London 60

Notes :

Description of TnE Bath of Riverside .. 121

The Bath of the Finns 193

Waste of Fuel in England 135

Clothing not requisite in our Climatb .. 138

Dyspepsia treated by One Meal a Day .. 141

Medical Teatment of Rheumatism .. .. 151

One Meal a Day.— Milk Diet 154

ON THE ART OF CONSTRUCTING A TURKISH

BATH. Read at the Society of Arte 158

WHY MAN PERSPIRES. A Lecture at Newcastle .. 210 CONSUMPTION PRODUCED BY HABITS, NOT

CLLMATE .. .: 240

TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTION BY THE TURKISH

BATH. By Dr. Leared 259

Dr. Thudichum on the Contents of Perspiration 280 xiv Contents.

CANCER, LEPROSY, HYDROPHOBIA, AND APO- PLEXY 283—301

DR. BRYCE ON CURE OF CATARACT WITHOUT

AN OPERATION 304

CONSTRUCTION OF A BATH WITH RADIATING HEAT FOR INVALIDS. Correspondence with Sir

Dr. Stokes on Detection of Maladies by the Smell 346

INTRODUCTION OF THE BATH INTO LUNATIC ASYLUMS, AND NAVAL AND MILITARY HOSPITALS 347

DR. ROBERTSON'S EXPERIENCE AT SUSSEX

LUNATIC ASYLUM 347

HEAT-RAYS, SUN-RAYS, ELECTRICITY, AND

VITAL POWER 357

PART II— ACTION ON ANIMALS. Training of Horses 375

The Domestic Animals . . . . . . . . 383

Admiral De Rous on the Bath for Horses 386 FOUR YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF THE BATH ON

AN IRISH FARM, by J. E. Scriven, Esq. . . 389