HOT WATER CURE.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 151036, 30 July 1919, Page 2

HOT WATER CURE.

TREATMENT IN A BATH TUB. CASES OF MENTAL DISORDER. Tho most effective method of calming patients suffering from mental disurder.Sj however v iolont, is simple Ira-j mersion in hot water, according to Cap-I tain G. E. Myers and other physicians in charge of the work of rehabilitation of! enlisted men at Lettcrman General Hospital of New York. In a so-called-"per-manent bath" the patient lies for hours as naturally as in his bed, watched over by an attendant. Here his meals are served fco him regularly, and he may smoke or read if he wishes. Attention in all cases centres upon the need of the individual. The apparatus is so constructed as to make it possible to direct water or electricity upon any part of his body, the force and heat being regulated to a minute degree. In cases of immersion, the patient is allowed to remain in the water until the maximum benefit has been received. Ordinarily lie 'frnds relief after two hours. In many instances the treatment extends over fifteen hours. A case .s recorded in Vienna in which the patient remained for the greater part of two years in a tub. The temperature of the water in the permanent baths is regulated by valves, ; the flo-y into tinl t-u'b automatically ceas- j ing with.any extreme variation. By means of electric attachments, currents may be sent through .the water. These vibrations are supposed to have a revivifying effect; ~: Varied results .may be obtained from the same treatment. The actively insane man is influenced by the sedative effect of the warmth, so" that his nervous tension is gradually relieved and sleep usually resultsThe depressed and retarded patient is stimulated to a new interest m life. In all cases the treatment is conducive to a healthy functioning of the skin. Following the bath a warm shower, directed upon the patient from all sides, ; insures him against cold. Where the patient shows fright, the milder "water passage" is substituted for the shower. !In this process the patient is. placed i upon a specially constructed table, and ; his entire body suffused with water'from I hoses manipulated by an attendant. In •both cases, the hot'water is gradually I replaced by cold. Al! forms of mental disorders are to bo found among the soldiers, as among [•psychopathic patients in civil life. It is j probable that the abnormality of many jof the soldiers was latent up to the time jof their enlistment and was merely' aggravated by their military experiences, in many instances this insanity or i feeble-mindedness would probably never 1 have been manifested except for the war. s { The United States Government is do-1 i ing its utmost to restore these mea to their former functions and positions. The proportion of those who may be permanently cured is small. But every effort is being made to maintain some relation with the world of normal men. Extensive occupational activities are carried on at the reconstruction hospitals. Hydro-therapy is regarded as one of the most effective methods. Tho men fire eager for tho treatment.