Hydropathy, or the cold water cure; a popular exposition of the above system of curing diseases, as adopted by Vincent Priessnitz. At Gräfenbert, Silesia, Austria; exhibiting how far the plan is original, useful, or injurious / [Robert James Culverwell].

  • Robert James Culverwell
Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hydropathy, or the cold water cure; a popular exposition of the above system of curing diseases, as adopted by Vincent Priessnitz. At Gräfenbert, Silesia, Austria; exhibiting how far the plan is original, useful, or injurious / [Robert James Culverwell]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    they, are then dried, dress, and to breakfast with what appetite they may. Before noon asitz-bath, or a head-bath, according to the nature of their com¬ plaint, is ordered; an early dinner follows, consisting of fish, joints, and vegetables, with the usual entremets of foreign custom—vinegar and oils included. No drink is permitted but water, nor is the quantity limited. This watery diet greatly provokes the appetite, and the tables are soon cleared. From Mr. Claridge’s description,the guests of Mr. Priess- nitz rival the gourmands of our city feasts ; and the worthy doctor imposes no restraint upon his patients’ capacities. The afternoon is occupied by some kind of local or general bath, or by exercise, such as walking, sawing wood, digging, &c. The patients retire early to rest, sleeping either in wet bandages or sheets, as the case may be; it is stated that some of the visitors at Grafenberg con¬ sume from twenty to thirty glasses of cold water in the day, which, at a moderate calculation, must amount to one or two gallons per diem, nearly double the quantity of liquids swallowed by a London coal porter. The blanket bath facilitates the transudation of the water consumed, and is a favourite part of the regime of Mr. Priessnitz, although, it is said, by no means adopted in every instance. The sweating is
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