Health, or, How to Live

HINTS ON BATHING. BY DR. J. H. HERO

In a former communication we referred to the common error among Hydropathic people generally, of using too severe home treatment. In our section of the country we know such to be the case. HHTL 126.1

Notwithstanding all that has been said of water as an innocuous remedy, every one knows, or ought to know, that the human system may be very badly injured by the injudicious use of this valuable agent. HHTL 126.2

We have known several persons within a year or two past, who have been ever treated by water, and they are always bad cases to manage. Where the nervous system has been overwhelmed with depression by too heavy treatment, too many baths, and at too low a temperature, there is always danger of fatal congestion in some one or more of the vital organs. Physicians should never yield to the importunities of patients who are desirous of taking heroic treatment, but nicely weigh the amount of vitality in each case. If reaction takes place readily, the baths may be increased in number, and the temperature lowered with safety; but if reaction is slow and feeble, the baths must be mild and few. HHTL 126.3

One important fact, which every person who practices water-cure ought to understand, is that reaction commences at the very moment a person begins to bathe. We mention this fact because we find that many have an idea that reaction does not commence until the bathing is over. Thus it is plainly to be seen, that if we use very cold water and our baths are protracted, there is danger of exhausting the reactive power during the operation, so that by the time we are fairly rubbed up, we commence being chilly. In consequence of this principle, every feeble person unaccustomed to using water, should commence with tepid baths of short duration; or, if cold water is used, it should be in very small quantities, and the baths short. It is far better for such persons, when they wish to take sitz-baths,to commence them at 85 degrees or so, five minutes, and lengthen their duration and lower the temperature gradually, than to begin with baths at 60 degrees twenty minutes, as I have frequently known persons to do. HHTL 127.1

If such rules were observed at the commencement of a course of water treatment in every case, we should hardly hear of a person who had used water without being benefited by it. The truth is, in feeble cases the system must become adapted to the use of water by degrees. HHTL 127.2

We do not expect to lay down rules by which persons who have long standing chronic diseases fixed upon them can treat them successfully without the aid of a physician; for the changes which take place during the treatment of such cases, the kind of diet and exercise necessary, etc., etc., all need to be managed by the experience of a good practitioner. HHTL 127.3

But we do think that much good may be done by saying to the readers of this Journal, be careful how you treat those of delicate constitutions affected with chronic disease. Always have your baths short and at a mild temperature, at the commencement of treating such cases. In this way you will certainly do no harm, and if the patient bears it well, you can easily use more treatment; but by treating the patient too severely at first, you may place him in such a condition for a time, as to be unable to bear even mild treatment to advantage. We much rather take patients into our establishment who never used water at all, than take those who have, without discretion, used too severe treatment. — Water-cure Journal for 1855. ¹ HHTL 127.4