HEALTH COLUMN

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 39

HEALTH COLUMN

MINERAL HOT SPRINGS.

Returning to the mention of the conservation of the bodies in the mineral pool at Hermannstadt after 41 years' immersion, it may be remembered that Dr Konig explained the cause as being owing to the chloride of sodium having penetrated the bodies whilst the salts were held in solution by the water, and whilst it was admitted that this operadon accounted for the perfectly fresh state of the bodies after so long a period, it was regretted that the very short time occupied by fche ordinary invalid in bathing might not be sufficient to secure the benefits to be expected from a longer immersion. There are, however, two points to be considered in the matter. One is that it did not take 41 years for the salts in solution so far to penetrate as to preserve these bodies from decay, because under ordinary circumstances a very short time— a very few days — would amply have sufficed to make considerable inroads and leave behind indelible marks of decay upon the bodies, whereas there were no traces whatever of decomposition in any portion of the bodies, and the clear inference is that a short exposure to the action of the mineral waters was sufficient to have marked influence .upon them. Another point is one that affects our New Zealand mineral hot springs materially. There is no reason why the bath should be confined to the present half -hour once a day. On the other hand, many persons find that using very hot baths in that way is attended with several serious objections that it is unnecessary to particularise. There are baths in Europe in which the time of immersion is^greatly prolonged, and the temperature is only moderately warm, little above that of the atmosphere. These baths are found to effect wonderful cures in certain cases, and are very popular, and it is a question whether the plan should not be adopted in New Zealand, both on account of the good it may do to invalids and the extra attraction to our tourist visitors. As an example of this the writer would wish to describe baths he has visited in Switzerland among the Alps.

THE BATHS OF LEUAOH.

The site of these springs is a small flat piece of land in the Alpine regions surrounded by lofty precipices. It is in an elevated position where the air is cold and the ground frequently covered with snow, and there is no other attraction but the curative properties of a stream of boiling water which issues from the ground. Two large hotels stand, or stood at the time of which I write, upon this little flat, and they were filled every season with visitors from many lands, some invalids and their friends and attendants, and others who resorted to the fashionable springs for the pleasure of genial society, or were mere tourists desirous of experiencing new sensations. There were several dessing rooms in which bathers divested themselves of their ordinary clothing in favour of a suit of dark blue serge. ! Steps within the rooms led into water about 2£ft deep, and a door opened into a ! water passage. This passage led to a variety I of bathrooms with their doors opening towards the water. Some bathrooms were reserved for true invalids and their immediate attendants. Those afflicted with contagious diseases or skin complaints were provided for in an entirely separate portion of the house. There were also smoking and reading rooms, but the general drawing rooms and parlours for the ordinary visitors resembled in essential respects the ordinary hotel rooms, and the inmates sat upon chairs, reclined upon sofas, &c, as usual, the only difference being that the room was some 2£ft or 3ft deep in agreeably warm water. In order to promote sociable conversation all reading was tabued, but if light refreshment was desired it could be had upon small floating tables, several of which were in use for flowers, ornaments, &c. — such as are generally found in ordinary sitting rooms. Nothing like what is generally understood as " bathing " went on — no diving overhead, or swimming, &c , but people sat about and conversed, as usual, and after a little while there seemed nothing out of the way in the whole proceedings, unless it was seeing.Jihe bare feet, especially the little ones of the fair bathers. The difficulty was at first to remember to keep one's hand above water in ' holding a cup of coffee or keeping the elbow j low and the hands dry when looking at prints. A medical man superintended the whole arrangements. The bath, beginning with one hour a day, was gradually increased to six hours, to which it was limited. After bathing hours a sumptuous dinner was provided and the evening was spent in conversation and music, terminating ,in a ball and a light supper. There were at that day few places of resort more agreeable than' the baths of Leuach, and none that enjoyed a more deserved reputation for curing the sick and pleasing the sound. The idea suggests itself, that if our New Zealand hot springs could be used in a similar manner it might be a very pleasant

method of allowing the chloride of sodium (which forms a large percentage in some of them) to have a chance to permeate the system of some of our home or imported invalid bathers.— Traveller.

A Cure for Diphtheria. — The following remedy was discovered in Germany, and is said to be the best known. At the first indication of diphtheria in the throat of a child, make the room close ; then take a tin cup and pour into it a quantity of, tar and turpentine (equal parts) ; then hold the cup over a fire so as to fill the room with fumes. The little patient on inhaling the fumes will cough up and spit out all the membraneous matter, acd the diphtheria will pass off. The fumes of the tar and turpentine loosen the matter in the throat, thus affording the relief that has baffled the skill of physicians. — Hall's Journal of Health.

Effect of Cold Weatheb on the Aged. — The recent cold weather in Europe serves to strongly illustrate the inability of the aged to withstand exposure. A recent number of the London News states that in the second week of December 1890 the number of deaths among persons 80 years old reached 100, while during the following three weeks, which were so unprecedentedly cold, the number increased to 116, 142, 148. In persons afflicted with diseases of the throat and chest, the average was doubled. It is of the utmost importance that aged people expose themselves as little as possible during extremely cold or inclement weather, and when necessity compels them to do so, that they shall be protected. No doubt, if the increased danger were sufficiently insisted on, in spite of the difficulty in making the average octogenarian realise that he is no longer young, the lives of "many of the aged people would be greatly prolonged.

Curative Use of Charcoal. — Charcoal is ' valuable as fuel, but it has other uses which make it one of the most seviceable of articles. When laid flat, while cold, on a burn, it causes the pain to abate ; by leaving it on for an hour the burn seems almost healed when the wound is superficial. Tainted meat, surrounded by it, is sweetened. Strewn over heaps of decomposed pelts or over dead animals, charcoal prevents unpleasant odours. Foul water is purified by it. It is a great disinfectant, -and sweetens offensfrjf air if placed in shallow trays around apartments. It' is so very porous that it absorbs and condenses gases rapidly. One cubic inch of fresh charcoal will absorb nearly IOOm of gaseous ammonia. Charcoal forms an excellent poultice for malignant wounds and sores. In cases of what is called proud flesh, it is invaluable. It gives no disagreeable odour, cerredes no metal, hurts no texture, injures no colour, is a simple and safe sweetener and disinfectant. A teaspoofls ful of charcoal in half a glass of water often relieves sick headache. It absorbs the gases ,and relieves the distended stomach, pressing against the riferves which extend from the stomach to the head.

—It is easy for a girl to fall in love with a worthless man, but when she has to support him by taking in washing— ah, there's the rub. - '