THE HOME.

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 53, 1 November 1899, Page 10

THE HOME.

\ CHAT WITH MRS PIKE.

Having heard of some very successful cases that had been treated by Mrs Pike, I lately called on her to have a chat concerning the work she is carrying on in Christchurch. 1 found in this lady a combination of strength and selfreliance and gentleness that would inspire a patient with confidence in her. “ How do you characterise your methods ? ” was my first question. “ I treat my patients by hydropathy and massage. In this way I unite the benefits of two of the schools of natural healing.” “ What instructors in Hydropathy do you follow ? ” “ I have studied the best known works on the subject, and have endeavoured to choose what is best in each. Dr. Trail’s bock probably deserves first mention. IPs book is a standard one on Hydropathy. It is remarkable for clearness and breadth of view. Kirk, the Edinburgh healer, is the most lucid exponent of the methods to be adopted for various necessities. Profound gratitude is due to his memory. He truly followed in the steps of his Master in his work of teaching and healing.”

“I)r. Johnsons hook is invaluable for the setting forth of the philosophy of hydropathy. To my mind he is the complement of Kirk. “ I must not forget to acknowledge my debt to Mr and Mrs Smedley. Their hook was my introduction to Hydropathy. Dr. I'orrest’s book on ‘The Inward Hath’ lias also been of great use in my practice. “ Then there is Kuhne, whom the faculty has stigmatised as a quack. Ilis work is a very original one, giving a lull description of the methods he has used in a large and most successful practice in (iermany. “ There arc other writers whose books 1 have read, \mong these 1 may mention specially Dr. liafeland, Dr. Munro, nr.d IT. her Kniep. I have also studied tiie standard works on massage. “ \\ hat were the circumstances that led you to this study ?” “ During my husband’s illness 1 lost all faith in the allopathic syster, . After his death books on hydropathy were lent to me, and 1 treated my children on the lines suggested in these with great success. 'Hus gave me confidence, and my work gradually ext ndeci to my neighbours, with good results. A practice Ci me of itself, entirely unsolicited as far ns ! was consciously concerned.’’ “\v i yoj tell me of some of your most interesting cases? ” “ Willingly. One patient, a young woman, sent for me after the doctors had pronounced her case hopeless. She had for a considerable time been unable to retain food on her stomach. After a four days’ treatment with hot, soapy blankets, sitz baths, injections and massage, a fleshy strap which had formed in the abdomen, iourteen inches long, was naturally removed. The patient quite recovered.

“ Then there was the case of a child who was given up to die by two doctors. The little one was suffering from croup and bronchitis. 1 was called in this extremity. 1 rubbed the throat and chest with olive oil. I applied warm bran poultices over the neck and breast, and cold cloths to the spine. I renewed the bran poultice three times, and the cold clotlis as frequen tiy as they became heated. After six hours’ treatment a sleep of many hours’ duration followed, with the most -Messed results. On my visit ing her the next day I found her sitting, up, eating bread and butter, with every painful symptom removed. “ A case in which the results were also most fortunate was that of a lad who had his leg injured al>ove the knee. The doctor had attended the boy for a month, and the leg was growing rapidly worse. My advice was sought, after a consultation of four doctors, whose ultimatum was that the leg must come off. 1 found the leg a mass of pus from ankle to thigh, and the knee perfectly stift. I gently massaged the leg, and extracted much of the matter. Then 1 bound up the leg and laid it high, to protect the a’ kie bone from disease, and treated thj body for blood poisoning, by hot soapy blankets and bathing. In eight weeks the boy had entirely recovered. Another interesting case was that of a patient who had been suffering from It which hal settled on the lungs. Three doctors had agreed that nothing more could be done. I treated my patient with barilla soap poultices and cold towels, and packed the legs and feet in hot packs, and gently massaged the body. The patient was out of danger in a few hours. One month’s treatment brought perfect restoration to health.

“ Not long ago I was called to tieat a patient who was suffering from fever, following the birth of her child. The case was considered hopeless by six doctors. I found the lady had been unconscious for two days. Alter I had treated her for seven hours she regained ! , had recovered. “ I could tell you of many other cases quite as interesting, but l think you will begin to find the recital tedious. Of course I need not tell you that I dispense with drugs entirely.” “ What is your attitude,” I inquir 'd, “ to mental healing ?” “ I have always believed in the influence a cheerful mind has in conducing to bodly health. 1 invariably impress on my patients that much lies in their own power to rid themselves of the trouble from which they are suffering.” “ Is your work increasing?’ “ The work grows continuously* There is a splendid held ahead in it for for intelligent women. In time I believe that every mother will know the simple methods employed.” “ What is your opinion of the present rapid increase in the number of operations ?” “ 1 regard operations, as a rule, with abhorrence. I believe operations should be resorted to only when everything else has failed. The present craze is lamentable, as it so often thwarts rather than aids nature in her work of recuperation.” On my way home I pondered on the general ignorance of the p ople regarding simple remedies, and I came to the conclusion that from all I hear of present formal methods, it will be a happy thing for many sick ones when Mrs Hike's forecast will have come to pass,”