HYDROTHERAPY (Greek, bdwp water, and, ezparela, cure), a method of treating dis eases by the application of hot and cold water, which has come extensively into practice of late years, and is recognized •by the medical pro fession as a very efficient therapeutic agent. The efficacy of water as a hygienic medicine has been recognized f rom 'the earliest times. Hip pocrates, Celsus and Galen regarded water as of especial value in the treatment of acute dis eases; and during the Middle Ages the same view was advocated by many famous physicians. Duing the 18th century there was a growing belief in its virtue as a curative agent, though rather in acute than in chronic diseases. Some physicians used water for internal treatment, others for external treatment, but hydrotherapy, as now understood, combines both methods. It was originated by Vincent Priessnitz, a Silesian peasant. When a boy of 13, having sprained his wrist, he applied it to the pump, and afterward bound a wet bandage upon it. As this became dry he rewetted it, and thereby reduced the inflammation, but produced a rash on the surface of the skin. Shortly after ward lie crushed his thumb and applied the wet bandage as before, and again an eruption showed itself. He concluded that the rash was an indication of impurity of blood; and having instituted a series of observations in regard to various wounds and ulcers on the persons of his neighbors, he was led to form a pathological theory, according to which disease is caused by an accumulation of niorbific matter, which must be eliminated from the system by cold water applications and the observance of a strict regimen. His views were confirmed by an acci dent to himself, in which, through a cart run ning over him, he received some broken ribs and severe contusions and was given up by the physi cians; but on learning their opinion he tore off their bandages and applied others wet with cold water. He also replaced his ribs by inflating 'his lungs while pressing his abdomen against the window-sill. Either through or in spite of this treatment Priessnitz recovered and the carrying out of this cold-water theory became the object of his life. In rapid succes sion he invented the sponge-bath, the wet-sheet packing, the sit; foot and arm baths, the douche, the steam-bath, the dripping sheet, the plunge, the dry-blanket packing and other appliances of the hydropathic system. In 1829 he established, at his native village of Grafenberg, a range of baths, which speedily grew in reputation and attracted visitors from all parts of Europe. The Austrian government lent him its patronage, and all the opposition of the medical faculty was unable to stem the popularity of the new system. The original establishment at Graf en berg soon expanded into an extensive suite of buildings, stretching along the slope of one of the Sudetic Mountains, and resorted to by troops of invalids, who sought to regain health by bathing, exercise, simple diet and agreeable society. Similar institutions soon sprung up in
other parts of Germany and were at length introduced into England, a hydropathic society having been formed in London in 1842. At the present time •hydropathic institutes exist in great numbers throughout the world, and so universal have byd erapeutic procedures be come that a large body of quacks thrive on the prestige given to hydrotherapy by regular physicians. The theories of Prtessnitz are now known to be fallacious.
The work of Winternitz and his disciples has put the general principles of hydrotherapy on a rational footing; there is little doubt, however, that hydrotherapy, like any other therapeutic agent, may be greatly abused. It is by no means a universal panacea. There are a large number of ways of applying hot and cold water to the body. One enthusiastic advocate has described over 300 separate kinds of application. In gen eral, however, the water may be applied in the shape of tub-baths, ablutions, packs, rain-baths and douches. These may be divided and sub divided as indicated. Tub-baths may be full, half or local baths, as to the pelvis, the feet, the hands, etc. The full tub-bath is usually given at a temperature of 55° F., unless special indi cations are to be met. If the patient's reaction is not of the best, the temperature should be about F., and vigorous friction of the skin should be maintained. The time spent should be short, 10 to 20 seconds. The full tub-bath is a strong tonic. In severe illness• the tub-bath should be given only by a trained nurse under the physician's orders. Half-baths are taken at a temperature of F. After wetting the face and chest the patient sits in a tub about one-third to one-half filled with water, sufficient at least to cover the legs and the pelvis. The attendant splashes the cold water over the patient's body, maintaining at the same time a vigorous friction by means of a flesh-brush. The time is from one to five minutes, but the bath should not be continued if the teeth begin to chatter or if there is any evidence of defec tive reaction, as blueness of the lips, or thin pulse. Local cold baths, such as sitz-baths and foot-baths are very important hydriatic meas ures. The cold foot-bath, plunging the feet for one to three minutes in cold running water, is of service in sluggish circulation of the feet, neurasthenia and hysteria. Warm full baths at a temperature of 90°-98° F., for a period of from 5 to 20 minutes are very useful as sedatives to the nervous system, particularly so in insomnia and nervousness from overwork, especially when taken at night. The best effect is obtained if they are taken at the time of retiring and are followed by a brief application of cold water, either in the shape of a half-bath, or a douche. After the bath the patient should wrap up in a linen sheet and a blanket to keep up the dilatation of the blood-vessels of the skin. Perspiration is to be avoided, save in particular instances.