lI.—HYDROPATHIC TREATMENT OF

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 46

lI.— HYDROPATHIC TREATMENT OF

DISEASES.

It is wonderful how hard it ia to eradicate custom when custom has become law, and how almost impossible it is to gain a bearing for new truths. Hence the difficulty of inducing people to use natural remedies. " Now the principles of the practice of hydropathy are in unison with the great principles of nature and tho great general principles of disease," says Dr Trail. It begins by investigating the causes of disease and surrounding the patient with the causes of health, which it intensifies and concentrates into one focus.

It does not consider disease as a positive entity, but as a negative quantity, nor does it tinker the human body nor mend it with patches. It considers the conditions of the body in disease, the causes against which all | remedial efforts are to be directed, which are, in general terms, impure blood, uni healthy secrerions, obstruc lions in the capilI lary vessels, excessive action in some parts j or organe, with deficient action in others ; unequal temperature. The general indications are to remove obstruction?, wash away impurities, supply healthful nutriment, regulate temperature, relax intensive, and intensify torpid action ; and water, with its concomil.ants air, light, food, temperature, answers these indications. It corrects the nutritive actions, it raises or depresses the circulation and respiration at will. It; exercises complete control over absorption. It has power to excite the action of the skin to an almost unlimited extent. In all this, however, we must remember that nature is the true physi- ! cian. AU that the healing art can do is to ! supply favourable conditions, remove extraneous materials, and regulate hygienic influences, and thus place the system as fully as possible under organic I law. Now, when one remembers thac the pores if placed end on end would reach 28 miles one may well believe that if this tube be obstructed so that impure substances are unable to get out of the blood and the pare substance which it is intended to convey into the blood be kept out of it there will ensue a very unhealthy state. The skin is well known to be a respiratory organ, taking into the body and carrying out of it similar matterß, which are taken in and carried out by the lungs in the act of breathing. It exercise?, moreover, a powerful influence over the •chemical and vital caaEges proper to the bloods and to the solids.. These changes are directly influenced by the temperature at the surface of the body. Nature, the moment there is danger of too | great internal heat, opens the pores of the skin and so prevents the accumulation of heat by sending it out of the body as perspiration. When there is danger of internal temperature being lowered, the activity with which the elements of the body are composed and decomposed is augmented, so that as fast as heat is abstracted from the surface it is supplied again by fresh heat generated within. The manner in which water purifies the body is perfectly intelligible and perfectly in accordance witb the known laws of nature. The poisons which may be held in solution in the water of the blood escape through the skin when in contact with water, by the well ascertained laws of endosmosis and exosmosie. When animal membranes, living or dead and whether connected to or separated I from the body, have their opposite surfaces in contact with dissimilar fluids an interchange takes place, which is continued till the constituents of both fluids become exactly similar, and then all action between them ceases. Now, when pure water is held in contact witb the outer surface of the skin, and supposing the water of the blood inside of it is poisoned, say, for instance, with bichloride of mercury, an interchange takes place between the fluid on the outside and the fluid on the inside. The mercury and water passes through the skin whilst the pure water of the wet sheet supplies the place of the mercury and water ; and in this way by frequently renewing the external contact of pure water with the skin the blood is purified of whatever poisonous or morbid matter it may happen to contain. . And now with regard to the rationale of water treatment, Dr Trail says " cold water and ice are assuredly the moat powerful constiinging agents that can be applied to the living organism without destruction or injury, and hot water or steam is the most efficient relaxant that can ba safely employed. For producing moderate contraction or relaxation, we have all degrees of temperature between the freezing and the boiling points. As a general rule cold water is applied to the body when hot, hot water when cold, not to antagonise action but to balance action ; the great general indication in treating all diseases is to equalise the temperature, circulation, and action."

Dr Trail bemoans eclecticism as being the rock on which hydropathy founders. But by eclecticism he means the combination of hydropathic treatment with drug treatment. He fears entangling alliances. The new school of natural remedists agree with him entirely in the necessity of steering clear of drugs, yet they must certainly be regarded as eclectics in that they avail themselves of other harmless modes of helping nature ; for instance, massage or rubbing, which promotes secretion, removes obstructions, and enhances circulation in the periphery, is largely employed. Barilla spap (commended most highly by Professor Kirk, the well-known Glasgow healer), acetic acid, and herbs occupy a conspicuous place in their materia medica.

And now with regard to hot water or steam, here I will make specific mention of Borne of the means adopted by natural remediate.

The soapy blanket, to be effective, needs careful management. It should never be undertaken by a novice. Three or four ounces of barilla soaa cat up finely are boiled

in about four quarts of water. A good blanket is folded lengthwise, and lightly rolled. The boiling soapy water is dipped out in a jug and poured into the middle of the folded blanket alternately from either end. Then the blanket is thoroughly kneaded to secure a general soaking and a uniform diffusion of temperature. It is then wrapped round the body of the patient and covered with two dry blankets to keep in the heat. For an adult two soapy blankets are neededone for the upper, the other for the lower part of the body.

The patient remains in the blanket till he has well perspired. On coming out of it the body is cooled by a cold or tepid sitz bath, or sponged with tepid vinegar and water, and then gently massaged or rubbed from head to foot.

Next there is the vapour bath, which is comparatively easy of application, and may therefore be undertaken by the novice. A spirit lamp is placed between two bricks set edgewise. Resting on the bricks above the spirit lamp a small tin of boiling water is set to supply the steam. Over the bricks a canebottomed ohair is fixed, it 3 seat covered with several layers of blankets or a good-szsd bath towel. A bucket of hot water is supplied for the feet. On sitting down the patient is covered lightly with a couple of large blankets. If any senee of faintness is experienced, cold cloths should ba applied to the head and heart. After the purpose has been effected — that is, the inducing of perspiration (and the perspiration should never be continued to the point of producing dizziness or great lassitude — it should be succeeded either by a cold sitz bath or by a sponging with vinegar and water, and then the body thoroughly massaged, as after the soapy blanket.

The hot, soapy sitz bath is another means which is frequently adopted. Birilla soap is cut up and boiled in a saucepan of water and Lidded to hot water, in which the patient sits, with bis feet in a small bath of hot water. While in the bath the whole body is laved and douched. The hot soapy sitz may be followed by a cold sitz bath or by a tepid vinegar and water sponging. The patient is then wall massaged. For mental trouble soapy baths for the head are often applied, followed by a tepid vinegar washing. Hot, moist oran is frequently applied locally instead of hot flannels, as it retains the heat longer. The hot water bag covered with damp flannels answers the same purpose. Wet bandages or compresses are also commonly used.

For wounds, abrasions, sores, a barilla soap lather applied as a poultice is wonderfully healing. Weak acetic acid and water i 3 also applied, and acts as a counter irritant to the poisons of wounds. Hot and *cold injections are frequently used.

To illustrate the use of these various applications I will take two or three typical cases and speak of what I have known to be their successful treatment. A little girl was attacked with virulent diphtheria. The fever ran high and the throat was so inflamed that she was unable to swallow. The first thing necessary to be done was to allay the fever. A large bath of cold water was brought to the bedside. The bed was protected by folded blanket?, and then the work began. Towels wrung out of the cold water were applied down the spine, over the abdomen, to the neck and che3t, and round the head, and changed as- fast as they became heated, which they did so rapidly that constant attention was necessary for more than three hours. An the same time the legs and feet were packed in blankets wrung out of hot, soapy water and covered by dry ones. At the end of three hours the fever was entirely conquered , some spoonfuls of weak acetic acid and water were administered as a gargle, and mest of the growth removed. An injection of hot, soapy water was given to relieve the bowels, and then the neck was packed with a cold towel covered by a dry one ; a hot water bag covered with a damp flannel was placed to thß feet, and the child slept continuously for eight • hours. All danger for the time was averted. Next day the fever ran up again slightly, but it was soon reduced by placing the little patient in a hot, soapy sitz bath, which was followed by a sponging with tepid vinegar and water, and then by a gentle rubbing from head to foot. The gargle of acetic acid and water was again given, the throat packed with cold cloths, aud next day the child was playing about as usual.

Another child Buffering from bronchitis and croup was given up by the dostors. when a friend warf asked to take the case. On her arrival &ho found the child breathing with great difficulty. The poor little thing wai wrapped up in -a blanket and two flannel gowns, and was being steamed before a roaring fire. My friend's business of removing the baubles being completed, the child's neck and chest and back were first well and gently rubbed with good olive oil. Then a hot bran poultice was applied to the neck and chest, and wet cloths cooled with ice were applied to the spine. The little feet and legs were at the same time placed in a small blanket wrung out of boiling soapy water. For five hours my friend persisted in this treatment, renewing the cold cloths as frequently as they became heated, but at the end of time a marvellous change had been effected. The trouble was conquered, and the little sufferer fell into a most refreshing sleep. She slept for eight* hours, and when my friend returned next day she was eating bread and butter. Similar treatment was continued for three days, when the little one was perfectly restored.

A young lady suffering from typhoid fever of two weeks' standing was given up by the doctors. The poor thing was in a terrible state. The fever had deprived her of sight, speech, and hearing, and for days she had lain unconscious. Some hot, soapy water was prepared, and she was ' sponged under the bed clothes from head to foot. This was followed by a sponging with tepid vinegar and water. Then a barilla soap lather waß applied as a poultice over the abdomen, and sips of cold water and acetic ackl were given at intervals.

Next day a bead bath waa managed. Cold compresses down the spine, round the head, and over the abdomen were frequently applied, and the feet and legs packed in hot, soapy blankets. Several small injections of warm water were also given. For nine days the treatment with cold cloths, injections,

warm and tepid spongings, hot, moist pads to the feet, and sips of acetic acid and water was continued. But the slow recovery was owing to the fact that not only had the fever to ba fought, but also the effects of the drugs administered previously.

The orthodox belief that fever must rnn its course is perfect nonsense if natural remedies such as I have described are applied. No fever if taken in time should last more than two or three days at the utmost, and then with comparatively little inconvenience to the patient. Puerperal fever, dreaded as it is, will give way to the same mode of treatment, though probably it will need most persistent work. I know a case where for 24 hours the cold cloths had to ba renewed every few minutes before the fever was subdued, but at the end of that time all danger was removed. The feet were kept warm by moist, hot pads.

For wounds tha natural treatment is invaluable. A gentleman friend received a severe kick on the leg from a horse, and a large jagged hole nearly an inch deep was made in the shin. The gentleman on hia arrival at home seated himself on the edge of a large bath with his feet and leg* in it. The hot and cold water taps were set running, the wound being gently laved with a sponge till the water , covered it. Then the injured leg was bound with cold-water bandages, strips of linen abont lOln wide being employed from the knee to the ankle, and changed when they became heated or dry. Next day a warm soapy bath was prepared, and the wound well laved and douched. It was then sponged with tepid vinegar and water, and again bound with cold cloths. At the end of the week the gentleman was walking about and the wound entirely healed.

Burns and scalds treated by a similar method lose much of their terror. My little girl playing in the kitchen fell with her hands and arms on the red-hot atove. The coldwater top was set running into a bucket and the hands and arms held in. Relief was at once obtained. The water continued to run for about a quarter of an hour, when tha child complained again of pain. Meanwhile a piece of barilla soap had bsen cut up and boiled in a saucepan of water. Now tha hand 3 and arms were immersed in the warm soapy bath and gently laved for about 20 minutes. Then the dress was out off and cold towels bound round the hands and arms right up to the neck. Before she went to sleep the towels were removed and a barilla soap lather applied^to the burns. Then the cold towels were again renewed, and next morning one could hardly have told she had been dangerously burned.

It will probably be objected that there is a great sameness in the treatment of the various diseases, and the old ory may be raised that it is absurd to think what suits one disease will suit another, and in answer to this contention Dr Johnson points out that what has been termed '^indiscriminate application " is perfectly legitimate when we consider how many forma having different names are indeod but one disease. Thus, pleuritic, enteritis, pericarditis, arachnitis are said to ba so many diseases. They are but one— viz., inflammation of a serous membrane, — and the remedy that can cure one can cure all. Then he asks, How many scores of diseases depend on a mete want of power in the bystcm ? and affirms that whatever is capaple of removing the cause ia capable of curing all such diseases. Again he says, How many diseases depend on suppressed secretions 7 But whatever one thing can restore to the secretions can cure all this diseases depending on their suppression. " Dissaseß," Dr Johnson insists, *• are few ; forms or modes are many."

In the matter of foods the exponents of the natural method of treatment are for the most part staunch champions of vegetarianism. Bread made of wnole wheutmeal is atrongiy advocated. Various porridges are commonly used. The cereals occupy a conspicuous place in the dietary, as do also pea», baans and lentils. Milk, butter, cheeie, eggs, roots, vegetables, fruits, nuts, complete the list of foods. Comparative anatomy finds itself in sympathy with the words of Genesis : " And God said, ' Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing whioh is upon the face of the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding- seed ; to you it shall be for moat.' " Eminent naturalists are unanimous in the opinion that the anatomical structure of the human body as compared with other animals places man among the f rugivorous or herbivorous animals.

Moreover, physiologists have noticed that the chyle of flesh-eatiog men when taken out of J;he body decomposes and becomes pubre£C9nt in less than a quarter of the time required for that of the vegetarian to undergo the same process. Vegetarians, too, can resume any bodily or mental labour immediately after a meal with incomparably less discomfort and greater immunity from evil consequences than can flesh-eaters.'

Medical evidence goes to prove that vegetarians are less liable to fall victims to epidemic diseases than meat-eaters. Numerous cases of chronic diseases and malignant ulcers which have resisted all remedial agencies under a mixed diet have been readily healed under a vegetable regimen. Ono word with regard to acohol as a medicine, and this again from Dr Trail : " Ardent spirits," he says — " malt liquors, wine, and cider, specially anathematised by name and nature, and deservedly excommunicated from use and fellowship by the total abstinence societies — I need not dwell upon. They are poisons, in every sense inimical to the human constitution — in fact, deloteriouß to every organised thing in existence, and are produced only from the decay, destruction, and decomposition of the products of organised matters. They deserve commemoration only for the mischief they have done, and execration for the miseries thoy are now inflicting on human society."

In conclusion, I wish emphatically to say I do not imagine the methods for the treatment of disease to whioh I have drawn brief attention are final. Recent scientific investigations of psychic phenomena go to prove that the powers of the subconscious mind ate marvellous, and may exercise healing influences over diseased bodily conditions which have baffled all other skill. The days o£ miracles will once more return, and a cycle in human evolution will have been attained, resultant on extended knowledge ot spiritual law in the natnral world.