Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-10

stomach (Which is Just above the water) with his
Wctied hand. 1t is first used teped in delicate
cases 1t is said to act as a tonic on the lower
parts, when taken for short periods Used for
longer periods it is represented to be of great
service in removing congestion and obstruction,
constipation, and various nervous complaints
THE Wet Sheet Bath is merely sheet wrung
out in cold water and thrown over the patient
who IS well rubbed with it, and then dried rap
IDLY in dry sheet. This very gentle mode of
bathing may be employed when the shallow bath
could not be used Ii is considered preferable
to all other kinds of washing, as the body is
less exposed. Ifirequently used, it becomes a
powerful stmuant and tonic.
The Foot Bath is very shallow, aud the feet
are 10 be constantly rubbed against each other
in it, 1t is much used in inAammatory states of
the upper parts of the body, and as cure for
cold feet
Various local baths are also employed, as head
baths, elbow baths, ETC., as well as the full cold
tepid, and hot baths
The Doache Bath consists of column of
water descending from height of ten feet or
more, and is received by the patient on different
parts OF the body, but not on the head or stom-
ach tits an old and powerful remedy, requiring
to be used with much caution and where strong
tonic effects are desired.
Wet Sheet Packing "A linen sheet is dipped
IN water, well wrung out and placed on mat
tress over several blankets The patient lies on
1t, and 1t is rolled round him; the blankets are
rolled round him over that, and feather bed is
placed over ALL As no heat can escape, the
patient feels comfortably warm in two or three
minutes, being IN sort of sef-lormed vapour
bath lie remains packed up like mummy
tor from half an hour to an hour and then is rub
bed IN the shallow bath, or with the wet sheet
IN some cases the full cold bath or douche bath
IS used afterwards. This is considered the most
important Of Priessnitzs discoveries, and is of
essential use in the wafer treatment. Its highly
extoIed by the practitioners, being compared to
a poultlce over the whole body. 1t is stated to
be OF extraordinary power in aaying irritation,
apotent remedy in fever and inflammation (n-
Guiding most of the diseases of children,) with
out causing loss of strength and of great efficacy
IN freeing the system from impurities and promo
ting the healthy action of the skin. In some
cases in is applied to the stomach only, OF to the
chest; and in extraordinary cases it may be used
tepd or warm.
Bandages.-Mos of the patients at the water
cure establishments wear constantly wet ban
dage called compress, four or five inches wide
round the stomach. 1t is formed Of severaI fold
of coarse linen, wrung out in water and proven
led from evaporating by an outer covering 0
Macintosh cloth. 1t is warm bandage, anc
is considered to have very beneficial effect OF
the digestion. This compress may likewise b.
applied to the chest, throat, etc. Cold wet ban
dages in which the water evaporates and pro
duces GOODNESS, arc used in inAamed parts, wounds
ulcers, and bolts.
SwEATING.-The patient packed in blank
ct with feather-bed above, and after sweating
sufficiently, is quickly washed and rubbed in
shallow cold or tepid bath to produced re-ac
ton then dried thoroughly, and sent out 70
walk A more rapid and violent perspiratio
Tor extraordinary occasions is produced by seal
ing the patient, undressed on wooden chair
under which spirit lamp is placed, aud exten
ding several folds of blankets round him an
the chair These must be drawn tightly roun
the neck to prevent him from nhaling the heate
air. This process is also Immediately lolIowe
by the shallow bath, or rubbing with wet sheet
and the plunge bath or douche bath are some
times used, but not in delicate cases Bv thi
process (Which is very extensively used in tn
water cure) the system is excited to discharg
impurities by the skin. It is alleged to be @
great service in many disorders