Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-09-09
MOL.
From The Shirt of serenfv-Sir.

FTOW We hSWFU OF CereHtV-'ctI.
It's the wish ofthe writer Of this commu-
nication to draw the attention of Physicians
10 the use of the Steam-bath, in the cure of
some Of the most painful and distressing
diseases that affict mankind such as bilious
cholic, spasms, cramps, &c. This mode
has no connexon with the Thompsonian
praciice--or with lobelia, Cayenne pepper,
hot-crop, or screw auger.
The writer was in the habit OF using it. be-
fore he ever heard of the famous (iaiamous)
DR.. Thompson. His method OF preparing
and using the steam-bath is simple A
quantity Of herbs is collected sufficient TO fill
kettle holding pail-full, taking care to
select such herbs rs throw off the most essen
tiai oil, such as Tansy, Pennyroyal &c. &c.
The kettle is filled with water and hung o.
yer the fire 10 boil; and few small stones
are, at the same time, thrown into the fire, TO
have ready for using in the kettle afterwards.
to keep up the steam. Two blankets are
rolled mp TO be placed between the sheets
at the foot Of the bed to form a place for the
steam to pass to the patient The kettle is
placed on block or something sufficient TO
raise the edge even with the bedstead. The
bed-clothing is made smooth, and the end of
the under sheet is brought down behind the
kettle so as to prevent the steam from passing
over the top of the kettle. The steam is in
this manner thrown into the bed around the
patient, who must be carefully attended to-
Ii the steam is too hot it is easily checked,
and if 100 cold, raise it, by means of the hot
stones. The patient will soon feel eased Of
his severe pain. his vomiting (which is gen.
orally attendant to the last) will cease--he
will now be able TO swallow and retain il
guilds. He must be supported by frequent
draughis of Ciinsling, than which there is.
in such case. nothing better, although it has
a bad name. The patient may remain In
this situation for an hour or two, or three, ac-
cording 10 his strength, and the obstinacy of
the disease, after which the kettle and blan-
kets may be removed-the wet clothes pres
sed around the patient so as 10 exclude the
cold and If cold weather, additional blan-
kets should be used. In an hour or two
the patient will ask 10 be helped up, when
the discharge from his bowels will be copi-
Gus and free have been in the habit Of
using the steam bath more than forty years.
and never failed OF making cure. in asingle
case. Out of great number of cases. will
state one Some thirty years ago. was
called, in haste, to visit q sick man, (wbo
lived about ls miles from my residence,)
by the name Of p. S., about 80 or 35 years
? OF age, an industrious and respectable far
mer. arrived at his house about 9 o'clock
;, in the evening Of a very cold night in Janua-
y ~. found the patient, to all appearance.
u dying man. | had gotten from the mes
senger short history of his case, and lost
y no time in preparing the Steamboat From
Il the family | learned that the patient had
: been, for or 10 days, in great pain and dis
; tress from severe attack of the bilious chol
: c, attended, also, with severe spasms, and
! an almost constant vomiting. He had been
! attended by three skilful physicians, who
T not having been able to afford him any re-
e lief had pronounced the case incurable, and
: had left the patient TO die. In less than eighl
! hours, the patient was so well as TO take
0 nourishment. In less than twelve hours he
J wished to be helped out OF bed-he had q
, copious discharge from his bowels, which
be had not had before, during his illness
u and directly declared himself sound ant
e we'll man. This man is yet alive. for augh
y know. This is no extraordinary care
'e for have had great number OF slmia
u, kind of cures during my practice.
,! NAHUM TRAsK.