THE WATER CURE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13892, 1 May 1909, Page 3

THE WATER CURE.

If mothers knew the value,'of water they would suffer few terrors when the children have ; sudden sick turns. If' growing girls and young women pinned their faith to water internally and externally, they would worry less over their complexion and lack-lustre eyes. If invalids, instead of constant drugging, would try the efficacy of plenty of water, they would often be surprised to find the role of invalidism had slipped off them. How can water be used in the interest of health and beauty? The ways are various, and inost of them within reacli of the non-professional. For sudden congestions and . pains .there is nothing more effective than hot formentations or < ompresses applied over the affected "part. This has been known to quickly relieve acute indigestion without medicine. Wlieji the congestion is general, it is often helpful'to put the sufferer into a hot sitz bath, or even combine a sits and foot bath, or get into a tub of hot water; A famous nerve specialist believes strongly in the value of cold water for nervous patients. One young man who had tried all sorts of remedies was cured by nightly cold packs. The wearing of warm or tepid compresses are found beneficial" in sudden colds and sore throats, and many mothers cure all the minor ailments of 'large families by packing the throat or lungs or. abdomen, as needed. Severe headache can often be" cured by hot sitz or foot baths,' though with this treatment it is well to wet the forehead or put wet cloths on the head while taking it. Many persons have an unreasoning fear of water applications. It is well for them, in the first place, .to consult their doctor as to the effect on individual cases, as sometimes the ►circulation is sluggish, and reaction feeble, so that full wet packs, for instance, may be injudicious. It- is usually found that water can be used in some other way even on quite delicate subjects. Spray baths, not too cold, generally have a tonic effect, and very rare are the instances when the daily warm tubbing or sponge bath is not beneficial in helping to throw off impurities of the system and keep the skin toned up. 11l attempting to give packs, compresses, or "tlicr water treatments without the advice of a doctor, it is essential that the patient should react quickly, is not chilled, or suffers from shock. 1 n the case of any heart trouble no water treatment, should be attempted witJLiout medical advice. Care must be taken to keep the outside of the pack dry with plenty of llannel or heavy Turkish towels. Friction is excellent after most water applications, and even light exercise, if tlie patient is strong enough. No one ?ieed be enlightened these days as to need of constant bathing, but it is surprising how many women drink little or no water. There is no greater purifying agent than plenty of water internally. An abundance of it not only flushes the entire system, but improves the action of the skin, hence the complexion. Care should be taken that the water drunk is free from germs. If there be any doubt, boil it. Do not confine yourself exclusively to either cold or hot water, and take neither at extreme temperatures. Juicy fruits are excellent in addition, as they help to thin the blood and stimulate the liver.

.In cases of sudden cramps, especially in children, mothers find that quick relief can be given by tepid injections, in addition to compresses.