Medical reflections on the water cure. / By James Freeman, M. D. Physician to the Cheltenham Hydropathic Institution.

  • Freeman, James
Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical reflections on the water cure. / By James Freeman, M. D. Physician to the Cheltenham Hydropathic Institution. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    44/64 (page 38)
    and invigorated ; morbid secretions are removed, and acrid substances are neutralized. Diseases acquired in hot climates are especially appropriate subjects of hydropathic treatment. Nervous affections.—In these cases recovery is chiefly occasioned by the change which is effected in the direction of the vital energies, by the continued operation of gentle perspira- tion, and by the bracing influence of the cold bath, douche, and exercise, aided by wholesome diet, and drinking water. It will be perceived, that under this treatment all luxuries and per- nicious indulgences must be relinquished; all enervating habits must be discontinued ; the patient is roused from sleep at four or five o’clock in the morning, and is consequently ready to retire to rest at nine or ten in the even- ing. He avoids all stimulant and artificial diet; his personal comfort compels him, several times a day, to take activd exercise; the rules of the institution and the exigencies of his own case force him to activity ; he is oblipd to hasten to his baths, his exercise, and his meals; until, after a short period, what was at the commence- ment an irksome task, becomes a grateful duty, which both habit and inclination urge him to perform. There can be no greater contrast than between the energy and activity of his new habits, and the torpor and listlessness from which they have aroused him. An important auxiliary consists also in the operation on the ])atient’s own mind of the novelty of the system.