Various arrangements are employed for ac centuating the effect of the water, whether used hot or cold, or for applying it to particular parts of the body. The spray is one well-known variety of bath. The douche is ajet of water directed upon some part of the body through a PA-inch pipe, the force of the water, quantity discharged and temperature being capable of modification. It at first lowers the vitality of the part to which it is applied, but reaction sets in quickly, so that its whole effect is stimulating, quickening tissue change. The douche may be used hot or cold, or one after the other in rapid succession, a change which is most stimu lating of all. In old-standing complaints, thick enings about joints, stiff joints, etc., it is a very useful application. In the case of the descend ing douche, the pipe is 10 to 15 feet above the floor level, and for the horizontal douche the pipe is four feet above floor level. In the former case it is played first on the spine, and then shoulders, hips, arms and legs in succession. At the close it is directed on to the chest and head, the force of the water being broken by the hands. In the latter case the back, chest,
arms and legs are douched in the order named, while the patient nibs himself vigorously. Be fore beginning the head is wet with cold water, and is douched last, the force of the water being broken. The process should last scarcely two minutes.
The sits-bath or hip-bath is a means of limiting the application of the water to the hips and neighboring parts. The form of the bathing-tub is such that the person has the bath in the sitting posture, the limbs and upper part of the body being out of the bath. The sits bath, hot or cold according to circumstances, is in much use for abdominal and liver com plaints, and specially for feminine ailments. Its soothing effects used hot in such disorders are marked. Altogether the use of the bath, in association with treatment by medicine, is of the Jigh est value in numerous disorders, rheumatic, gouty, digestive, febrile, etc. In particular, the Turkish bath, under due super intendence, may produce surprising results, from checking a simple cold upward. See also HYDROTHERAPY.