Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-18

strong, and may be called enthusiastic, But
we appeal to those who have tested the powers
of the wet-sheet fermentation, whether our need
of praise is commensurate with its merits, In
WEAKNESS and watching--in fatigue and cold
in restlessness and anguish-in acute diseases
and in chronic ailments--in feveTs and inhama-
tions-in shivered nerves and fretted brain--in
WORKOUT stOmachs and palsied bowels--in irri-
tated skin and broken bones--in quelling NOR
bid heat and soothing morbid sensibiity--ih the
quiet routine Of home and the hustle of travel
abroad-in infancy and in age--in the weak
and in the strong-in cottages and in palaces
in courts and in camps-in hospitals and in prs-
ons-in all climates and seasons-vshivering at
the poles, or scorchihg in the TROPICS all the
multiform ills that flesh is heir to-the wet sheet
will be the first remedial resource Sf the sick,
and the last earthly refuge Of the dying.
The wet sheet is applied in the following
way:-A very thick blanket is first spread upon
mattress; sheet of coarse linen is then
wrung out on pole this is smoothly spread
over the blanket; the patient then reclines at
full length, and has the sheet wrapped round
him, fitting it closely about the neck, and secure
ly covering the feet The blanket is then with
equal care tucked under the neck and shoulders
the trunk and limbs Of one side, and then Of the
other. This packing" which resembles d
compact bale of goods, is then completed by q
load of additional blankets and coverings, OIL
preferably by down-feather bed, which is well
tucked in from the neck to the feet In thi:
state the patient is allowed to remain from hal
an hour to an hour. The first impression il
disagreeable, but it is only for minute or two
and is succeeded by soothing freshness height
ening into delicious glow; which would enc
in perspiration if prolonged. On beihg unpack
ed from this development, the patient takes the
cold or tepid halEbath or full bath, and is vel
rubbed in the water by an attendant for lgnge
or shorter time, himself assisting in the ope
ration. He then dresses quickly and goes GU
to his customary walk and water-drinking -
This process is usually gone through the frs
thing in the morning, and commences the dali
routine Of treatment. lii repeated or not il
the subsequent parts of the day according as i
| 10 luulCdICu. TIC SenSdLlOuS vi lAG pdti6HL VIII
often be the monitors for his extrication, and thu
inducement for its repetition or cessation. Whel
the object is to quell fever, the sheet must be
changed every quarter Of an hour or halfhour
or as often as may be necessary to bring about
cool surface When the due abstraction ofhea
and reduction of fever is effected, the patient i:
then put into slightly tepid bath, and vel
rubbed.
If determinations to the head occur during
this process, cold applications to the scalp are tC
be constantly renewed as they get warm. If the
feet or legs continue cold too long, they may be
kept out Of the development, and wrapped il
flannel
The falacy of catching cold from damp beds
was long ago sufficiently exposed by one of the
shrewdest and ablest practitioners of his day
Dr. Heberden. The soundness of his judg
ment cannot "OO be questioned, as the innocu
BUSINESS of such exposure is confirmed by all thu
facts of Priessnitz's extensive experience ant
by those Of his numerous followers.