Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-11-03
THE WATER CURE IN GERMANY,


Sketch Of Prjesnj,- tha author of tie Water Cure
SystcRa-its Pccuiiari'ieS- Elcrcise-Dies and
Healh Of his Female PatieafS
GRAgExRERG, IN SILEsIA AUG 90. 1877.
We Will nrst devote few lines to its
great originator, or, as he is here termed on
the monuments already erected to his mem
DRY, I" the immortal Priesnitz." He was
born humble peasant, and the real condl-
ton this oppressed class in Silesia, can
scarcely be conveyed to an American ear,
by any other term than that of serf.-
In early life, he gave no proof of remarka-
bic talent, but lived as those of his class usual
ly do, until about his twentieth year. At
this period a serious accident happened to
him in the plough field, by which he had
several ribs broken and was otherwise much
injured. The physicians who were called
in, declared him past assistance, and left him
to die. He, it appears, had several times
cured wounds on himself and animals, by
the simple application of bandages saturated
with cold water, and he now determined to
have them applied on large scale, as death
was his doom, and more he could not fear.
Having succeeded in replacing his ribs, by
powerful efforts of inhalation into the lungs,
he continued the bandages with the most
gratifying results, and a few weeks found
him perfectly restored. The miracle was
noised about the neighborhood, and many
of the peasants applied to him for advice in
sickness, and invariably succeeded in all he
undertook.
This success led him TO further investiga
Il nd ho Il
naIIy resolved to devote his life to a
system, the ground work Of which seem
ed to be given to him by instinct
70 leap from the past TO the present-the
result of all this has been, that the farm on
which he formerly laborcd, is now the site
of the village OF Graienberg, exclusively in
habited by his patients, subjected TO his
will. as their earthly prince. His patients
number. at the present no.nent, about 500,
and the lists of the curc-gucsts, kept since
the commencement of his career, sWells into
many thousands-and his t0Jie Fh0fc is
said to number more guests than that of any
hotel in Europe. In the midst of all this,
Priesnitz remains himself, the Silesan
peasant His manners are so rough, that,
at times, they may be almost called uncouth,
and his appearance must disappoint every
one, who, for the first time, compares his
person with his frame.
Priesnilz does not use particle of med
icine, and his only application, internal or
external, is cold water.
On applying for advice, he listens without
making a single remark as to the disease,
and refers his patient to the Inspector, who
supplies the room, and gives orders as to
the tubs, blankets. sheets, &c. All things
being in order for the first bath, lie is sent
for, and the bath, or rubbing with a wet
sheet, is given in his presence. During this
operation, he watches the patient attentive
", and gives his orders to the bath servant,
as to the manner in which he is to apply
the cure. IEeneycr feels pulse, and seems
to Judge from the appearance of the eye and
the temperature of the skin.
The general cure may be given as follows:
The patient rises AT four or five o'clock, and
the bed clothes are taken from the bed: a
large thick wooden blanket is then laid upon
it--on this blanket is spread large sheet,
perfectly saturated with cold water; the pa
tcnt lies down on the sheet and it is wrap
ped closely around him by the bath servant,
and the arms being bound close to the body,
the whole appearance is very like that of a
mummy; the blanket is now wrapped around
him as tightly as possible, and on said mum
my are piled feather beds, blankets. and 9TH
er non-conducting heat inventions. until the
poor patient is nearly buried alive. the head
alone being left free. Lying in this condi-
+ lion, about hall an hour causes a great de-
gree of heat TO set in, and the feet Of the pa
tent being then wrapped, he is led 10 an ice
I cold bath, and the blanket and sheet being
taken off, he plunges in fora longer or shor-
! ter period, according to orders. This being
over, he is rubbed dry, and sheet is thrown
over his shoulders, with which he fans him
self as with wings, for several minutes: this
is called taking the air-bath.
The next thing in the order of the cure
Is TO start off for a long walk over the noun.
talns back of Gralenberg; these are beau.
tltully laid out with paths, extending in many
instances, for several miles through woods
of fine trees, ornamented with bowers. re-
treats, and the most delightful fountains
tastetully constructed and provided witt
seats. The springs are, on an average. one
lourth OF mile apart and at each one thu
patient usually drinks large glass of wa
4 ter, and most certainly no purer or more de
icIous water is found in nature than tina
which flows from the springs of Gralen
berg. The morning walk being ended. al
repair with excessive vPpetites TO the eatin.
saloon, where the breakfast table remain,
spread fer two hours, TO give all indulgence,
to straggiers, and encouragement to Ion.
walks. The breakfast consists OF stale. un
palatable rye-bread. good butter, and goo,
milk; and it is remarkable to observe wha
enormous quantities of food are eaten, which
at the homes of the patents, would be re
jected as unfit 10 be eaten. A little repos
after breakfast is generally followed by
Douehe-bath.'
The Douches are all situated in a hand
some valley, about half mile from tn