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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    fit (the hot stage) most prevailed. This treatment was remarkably successful. It is also a common formula, under certain circum- stances, to pour cold water over the head while the rest of the body is immersed in a warm bath. And it is no less frequent for London vapour bathers to conclude their purification by a cold shower-bath, even whilst the perspiration is pouring from them. I have never seen mischief produced by these ex¬ tremes, because the parties were suited to the en¬ durance; but I should be sorry to advise them indiscriminately. Though our metropolis is the least furnished of any almost in the world with public baths, especially cold, yet that the practice of cold bathing is still appreciated, witness the immense ma- facture and sale of shower-baths. Scarcely a street but has its whitesmith, and the shower-bath is as emblematical of his calling as the apothecary’s red or blue bottle is of its owner’s occupation. It must, therefore, be admitted that cold bathing is of great antiquity, of extensive application, and, though sobered down by judicious adoption, is fairly esti¬ mated, although perhaps not to such an extent as to meet the extravagant recommendation of Mr. Priessnitz. It is true, cold bathing at Grafenberg forms only part of the treatment: the grand panacea
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