The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-10-14
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
w ATER- CURE ESTABLISHMENT AT
BRATTLEBoRO, VT.
RArrInonR sent 1ath. LIZ

iALiIAohE, iolHt ioo-.
Dear SANDERS :--Iiaving recently visited the
s.Water Curc' at Bratfleboro, and believing !
may be able to send you some few items not,
wholly devoid Interest, have thought proper
the indite the following account OF matters and
things there.
Bratteboro is a pleasant little town in Yer
mont, containing about 5000 inhabitants and is
situated on the Connecticut river twelve miles
from the State line OF Massachusetts, and about
200 IRON New York city, and IS in communica-
ton b. railroad with all the eastern cities. The
Green Mountains rise IN every direction around
i and with the beautiful river meanderng
through them, make a scene al once lovely and
romantic. The town is laid out with most de-
/ ghifu irrcgularity and is biest with an abun-
5ance OF fine walks and roads IN and about il.
Upon these you can meet at any time from day
hight untl nightfall, the rGter troaers as they
are appropriately termed, promenading, with
busino ss-lke haste after taking their baths
Diet, air, exercise and bathing the means
used 10 restore the afflicted, and will be the fault
VI the patien, if all four are not thoroughly ad-
ministered.
The establishment of DR.. Wessclhnf stands
q, ar the &C ntre of the town and has been in OPP
Grafton some four or five years. Ii can accom-
modate about 80 patients. ten pin alley, a
billiard and ball room are connected with the
establishment for exercising the patients. The
baths consist Of every conceivable way in which
water can lie applied to the human body; plunge
baths, half baths, sitz baths, wave, foot, eye,
ear, douche and shower baths, are all there for
their appropriate uses. The douches are single
stream Of water OF different sizes and heights,
according TO the strength of the patient. and are
perpendicular, oblique or ascending, and OF u
bout so degs. temperature. In addition to these
are he dripping sheet, and an operation called
packing. The former is n sheet taken out of a
tub Of water of proper temperature and thrown
over the patient standing, and he is then thor
oughly rubbed with it for while when it is re-
moved and the rubbing continued with dry one
n tho place OF the former until the person is
quito dry. This operation is said to be delight
fully refreshing, and very invigora,lng. Pack
ing consists Of the enveloping of the body in
we, sheet and putting the patient to bed with
an abundance of clothing over and around him,
and then 'sletting him sweat" for an hour ortwo.
All these operations are followed up with as long
and brisk walk as the patient can take with
out over fatigue; after which he has an appetite
that would be terror to ordinary landlords. 1t
is no, however gratiied after the style our friend
Miller would be satisfied with; the bill of fare
being comprised in but few words AS the diet
is one of the most important items in the treat
ment i. merits especial notice. Breakfast was
served at half past Z, and consisted of cold rolls,
wheat, rye, and brown bread: beef steak or lamb
outlets; boiled eggs, and either boiled rice,
cracked wheat, farina or fine hominy. Dinner
at p. NJ. comprised either roast beef or lamb
oiatoes; tomatoes; butter beans; green corn;
beets sago or rice pudding and stewed black.
berries, or fruits; and ripe peaches, apples OF
pears. Tea we had at P. M. and consisted Of
cold bread, stewed fruit, or ripe blackberries,
with sweet butter and milk which formed par,
Of all three meals. Patients were allowed co.
| Goa at breakfast, but tea and coffee We're subec,
| to the opinion of the Doctor and used according.
| ly.
wooden pipes from mountain springs and is as
Ipuie, clear and cold as it well can be. DR.. Wes
selh9ft has been in bad health for some tim,
past and is now in Germany. His patients ART
under the care of young German physician
Opposite 10 the old esta ablishment of Dr. w is
new one opened a few months ago by Dr. c. w
Gsaw and MIR. kluger, beth Of whom were asso
cia,ed with DR.. Wesselhnft for several years
q The former is a well educated physician of tn
Allopathic School and does not claim water a
an universal remedy, and believe il prescribe
exclusively, only in such chronic cases are no
relieved by medicine. Mr.. Klnger is an excel
r lent, kind-hearted gentleman and has the super
attendance Of The establishment. l preferre
the new concern and have had no cause 10 b
sorry for il. Twas not there ten days before m
wife was uble 10 walk five miles over the hill
roads before breakfast although she could scarce
), ly sit up when we left Davenport. The fare q
both places is ten dollars per week per patien
which includes all charges. Many ofthe walk
: are completely shaded tor miles, and walking
y carried on in perfection at all hours of the da
!, A walk Of eight or nine miles before breakfu
is not uncommon.
In conclusion, permit ne to sugges, the il