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White Ribbon, Volume 2, Issue 25, 1 July 1897, Page 10

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Health. Being a Paper ReadbyMrs A. Wells, of Christchurch, at the Recent Session of the Women’s National Council of New Zealand. 11. - HYDROPATHIC TREATMENTOF DlSEASES.—(Conhwttfi). The manner in which water purifies the body is perfectly intelligible and perfectly in accordance with the known laws ot 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 exosmosis. When animal membranes, living or dead, and whether

connected to or separated from the body, have their opposite surfaces in contact with dissimilar fluids, an interchange takjs place, which is continued till the constituents of both fluids become exactly similar, and then all action between them ceases. Now, wh:n pure water is held in contact with 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 most powerful constringing 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 be safely employed. For producing moderate contraction or relaxation, we have all degrees of temperature between the freezing and the boiling poiuts. 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 flounders. 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 cl jar of drugs, yet tney must certainly be regarded as eclectic* in that they avail themselves of other harmless modes of helping natu.j; for instance, massage or rubbing, which promotes secretion, removes obstructions, and enhances circulation in the periphery, is largely employed. Barilla soap (commended most highly by Professor Kirk, the well-known Glasgow healen, 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 some of the means adopted by natural remedists. The soapy blanket, to be effective, needs careful management. It should never be undertaken by a novice. Three or four ounces of barilla soap cut 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 needed - one for the upper, the other for the lower part of the body. The patient remains in the blanket till he has well perspired. On coining out of it the body is cooled by a cold or tepid sitz bath, or sponged with tepid vinegar M nd water, and then gently massaged or rubbed from head to foot. Next there is the vapour bath, which is comparatively easy of application, and mav therefore be undertaken by the novice. A spirit lamp is placed between two bricks set edgewise. Resting on the bricks aliove the spirit lamp a

small tin of boiling water is set to supply the steam. Over the bricks a canebottomed chair is fixed, its seat covered with several layers of blankets or a goo 1-sized 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 sens: of faintness is experienced, cold cloths should be 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. Barilla soap is cut up and boiled in a saucepan of water and added to hot water, in which the patient sits, with his 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 well massaged. For mental trouble soapy baths for the head are often applied, followed by a tepid vinegar washing. Hot, moist bran 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 csed. For wounds, abrasions, sores, a bar ilia soap lather applied as a poultice is wonderfully healing. Weak acetic aci d and water is also applied, and acts as a counter irritant to the poisons of wounds. Hot and cold injections are frequently used.