Hydropathy : its principles and practice for home use

Front matter

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HYDROPATHY.

Preface

Vll flatulence, etc., etc He then emphatically said, "Well, madam, the best thing you can do is to eat slowly and chew well," repeating his advice a second time. The lady took this as prefatory, waited, and made some remark expressing a desire for further advice, when the doctor repeated his former remark, "Be sure to eat slowly and chew your food well." Finding this to be the summary of the recipe for cure, she asked what was the fee. "Two guineas, ma'm." Exit, under great disappointment that she had no Latin prescription to show to the family doctor and friends at home. But the outcome of the advice was afterwards admitted to be well worth the money, as, when any member of the family saw mamma eating in a hurry, she was soon reminded of the advice "to eat slowly and chew well."

A gentleman, also, who called on Sir William G , after

detailing his particular weak points — dwelling on constipation as being aggravated in his case — was gravely told to take a seidlitz powder every morning. I am ignorant of the outcome of this case ; only I know that the gentleman was disappointed.

A famed physician of the last century, in Dublin, attained great reputation for his wonderful cures. His phials of unknown specifics were accompanied with many minute directions, strongly expressed ; and after receiving his fee, and when bowing his patients out he remarked, "Now, observe that you will require to walk, after taking the medicine, to so and so, or so many miles, daily, to give it due effect." This peculiar advice by and by led to remark, and analysis of his medicine, which was found to consist chiefly of coloured water, with the addition of a little simple medicine. Taking advantage of the viii

PREFACE.

known indolent habits of his patients, he adopted this plan o( drawing on the services of Dr. Air and Dr. Exercise to effect a cure.

Dr. Abernethy, in his noted outspoken, unfashionable advices, such as. "Live on sixpence a-day, and earn it," clearly shows the necessity of sufficient exercise for the maintenance of health. It is recorded of him that one day, being annoyed by the tiresome details of the ailments of a duchess, he simply replied, " Well, madam, you must either eat less or work more, or be sick," and walked out of the room, leaving her alone, so as to give due effect to his prescription.

One of our most eminent Glasgow professors addressed his students lately somewhat to this effect — " Gentlemen, we have only lately discovered the great value of the natural agencies, air, exercise, and water."

The same authority extols the benefits of the wet sheet pack, and his students discuss the merits of Hydropathy and Homoeopathy with all freedom.

Society will profit more and more by the medical authorities embodying the various processes and application of water treatment in an improved edition of the Pharmacopeia for family and hospital practice. The difficulties are now much less than formerly, as so many families have seen more or Ikss of Hydropathy in some institution, and are familiar with the simpler processes.

The home circle is the best field for testing the value ot Hydropathy, as ailments, slight at first, are of frequent occurrence, and the mother or nurse, after a few lessons, and observing the efficacy of a tepid wash, head bathing, wet

PREFACE.

ix bandage, or fomentation, speedily applies the remedy, and prevents disease, or mitigates its violence and shortens its duration.

Water has been the medium of cure in all ages ; and although many examples narrated in Scripture were miraculous, still the material was water, as in Naaman's case, when told to dip or wash himself seven times in Jordan. The cures, also, at the Pool of Siloam were by bathing. Maintaining cleanliness alone will often prevent disease.

An expressive illustration of prevention, so as to dispense with a cure, was given by George Stephenson, the eminent engineer. Seeing an old fellow-worker in London, he saluted him with, "Hillo, Tom, what has brought you to London?" His answer was, " Why, I feel very unwell, and have come to have some blood drawn." Stephenson's advice was apropos to his profession, " Nonsense, Tom ; go away home ; draw your fires, don't blow off steam."

Learn and Obey.