Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-01
Hydropathy. rThe British Quarterly RevieW.l


 We come upon one of the most crying
 needs of the practical medicine of to-day in
 the want of a scientific investigation into
 true "hydropathy." Net, be it observed,
 that hydropathy is water treatment after
 all, but that water is the medium for the ap-
 plication Of heat and cold to the body.
 These may be described as, in divers physio-
 logical ways, the two primary and most natu-
 ral stimuli of all life, and they give to this
 method of treatment great and varied inhu-
 ence upon the several functions and processes. Already simple applications of heat and cold
 are among the most valued agents of every
 day practice, and they are manifestly making
 their way quickly and surely to 8 foremost
 and almost exclusive place in the treatment
 of many diseases. A popular instance comes to mind in the use of the spinal ice bags for
 sea sickness, which are undoubtedly the most effectual remedy, if not the only one, for
 this dreaded affection. Nor does their use
 realize any of those disagreeable sensations which the mere notion suggests and only those who have tried them can imagine the exceeding sense of comfort and easefulness which they induce throughout the system. It is the scientific employment of natural remedy. Moreover, it is a fair illustration of the hygienic expression of biological med icine. Sea- sickness is substantially nervous affection, and this method of treatment pro- ceeds by acting directly upon the nerve-cen- tres instead of indirectly by pouring seda- tives into the stomach. It treats the affac- tion from cause to effect, and not backward from the stomach to the nervous system; and it controls the disturbances of the head
 stomach and other parts from their central source of excitation. It is manifest that . great remedial power lies unutilized in gen. uine hydropathy, and 1t calls urgently for earnest study and research. Although baths of all kinds have in all ages been extensively used, their effects upon the functions lndI- ko7 scientific spirit. Of every possible form and medium, of every possible temperature, they have yet been never properly examined for therapeutic purposes. Men have "felt better" after them, but how and why they have only guessed or expressed in very gen. eral terms. But now that medicine is passing itself upon the natural operations of the ordinary life processes and makes biologi- cal study of every change of function, hy- dropathy under better title must become a prominent method of treatment. The req sons which have conduced to this seeming neglect are not far to seek. Foremost of all is the fact that this method demands. greater resources than ordinary households afford, and that special attendance of 6 certain skill is necessary. It is so much easier to give a pill or draught than bath of 0 particular
 form and temperature and duration. Then,
 again, the effects upon the system are, as
 rule, too general, not sufficiently restricted
 or localized, Tor many purposes or medlelne
 It is only the broad effects which have been
 hitherto observed, and the information which
 is now so urgently required concerns the par
 ticular minor alterations of functions which make up the general effect. This, we'll for
 mulated, would at once place the treatment
 upon scientific basis and supply remedial agent of very great power. Beyond few elementary facts of general significance little or nothing is known of the action of heat or cold upon the economy. And yet there are no agencies which are at once so potent and natural. |