Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-24
THE WATER CURE.


We have read various sober methodical, matter
of fact descriptions of the way in which people are
washed clean from disease at the ''water cureo
establishments =; but here is one, supplied by vic
tim at Bratteborough for the New Haven Herald,
which does up the process in vivid, graphic, hu-
morous kind of way highly effective but probably
mol a whit less truthful than the dullest of the
others
feeble young man leaves his home and the
nursing of doating mother or fond wife, and
comes here away North among the hills, to seek the
wllt-owisp angel OF heath-n other words TO get
his stomach washed out and his liver put in order
After nights balmy repose, rather in the midst
of nights slumbers, in which he dreams of fire.
side and home and the maternal coffee and toast
that awaits his Weakening, the door of his chamber
opens, and in walks figure with shaggy hair and
bare the brawny arms. who shakes the slumberer
and TouSes him with the hollow spoken words,
''Your bed is ready" Your hath is ready, he
means, without tine potcnesS of asking, care goG
ready for your bed % As memorable as fate he
stands. while the miserable victim rises and denudes
himself till covering bat his skin shields his
shrinking nerves from the chill air through the
open window.
The tormentor then strips the bed and spreads
first blanket. and then over it thick sheet Just
wet in water of as deg. Fahrenheit. Upon this
the shiverng, shrinking patient. with his whole
surface in state of goose isness, extends his
length, and feels himself instantly enveloped in its
heart chilling folds Then blanket after blanket is
laid over and tucked in, till he takes the form and
has somewhat the feelings of an Egyptian mummy,
Just dead and cold, bound hand and foot, and wrap.
ped up fOT the tomb. He is then left TO his own
reflections and the reactive powers of nature He
considers that if the building should take fire he
would probably, in his helpless condition, be roast
ed alive, and makes up his mind that he VI oud not
mind roasting much provided it were in warm
fire. Soon, however nature rallies her force, and
/ the blood vessels are in excited action. First the
surface of the body becomes warm. then the Sheet
| then everything is heated to the steamnG point
and there ensueS most soothing, sweet and heart
SOenlng sensation, In which he again falls asleep,
and dreams of Paradise and bed of rose leaves.
"Ah whence is that spectre that pulls off his clothes,
"Ah whence is that splash that arums his carr
1T is the same hard hearted villain as before, who,
without deigulng single word throws off blanket
after blanket, and comfortable after comforahle till
only one envelope is left when he SEXES him by
the shoulders, lifts him upright in the bed, uncovers
his teet puts on pair OF slippers, throws a blanket
over the head and says "fUllow me- With one
eye open, as dociie as lamb led to sacrifice, feel
ing like fool he goes slipshod down stairs, seats
himself in tub OF water at II, where bucket
iull is bounced over him, aud two rough hands rub
him wcll-"Bht that is nothing-that amt"
Before him is the terrible plunge bath, ID feet by
il seems Only tank Of air with a slight emerald
iinge. Vain imagination That liquid is as real
AS rock and cold az the double extract of ceberrs.
and into that--wretched mortal-rnUst You plunge.
50 here goes one splash, and ne rises TO the TOP,
feeling an icicle thrust through his heart. Ont he
scrambles and back again TO the half bath, which
now feels like hot water 70 be again rubbed Their
adry rubbing with sheet and he is clothed quick
ly for walk. and he struts forth to meet the SIM
with nerves braced up 10 such pitch that he care,
not what he meets.
Over bill ahd through dell ne stumps il with
vigor u!i presently the reaction is complete. and
he feels as if he had snapped himself away for
another man. If he has even the humblest know
ledge OF whsiing he puts it in practice, OF speeds
along meditating, the first half Of the walk upon
the beauties OF nature, ard the latter half ON the
PROBABLE quantity Of breakfast required to satisfy ar
appetite that has become more shark-like than hu.
man.