The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-03-07
The Hot Water Cure.


that result from the internal use ofhOt
water must he due, in part, at least,
If not wholly to heat, said DIR. Am
brOse L. Ranney in recent lecture
before the academy of medicine, in
Hartford. Some of the effects are
manifested almost Immediately in
organs connected directly with the
digestive apparatus.
RULES FOR ADMINISTERING.
!. The water may be taken in doses
of from one goblet to one-and-a-half.
An ordinary goblet contains about
ten ounces. The dose must be modi-
fed in accordance with its effects.
2. 1t must be drunk hot. and not
warm (ll0 to $50 degrees. If neces-
sary, fifteen minutes or more may be
consumed in slipping goblet full.
Wooden cups prevent the water from
cooling quickly. The water may be
favored with lemon, sugar, salt, gin
ger, etc., if necessary, but it becomes
very agreeable to the palate without
such after the patient has taken ii for
a short time.
\ 8. The dose must be taken one hour
and a half before each meal with alb
solute puncluaIity, and one at bed
time. Patients have the first dose
brought to their bedside, and con-
sumo it before rising. The passage
of the fluid into the intestine, or its
absorption before the meal, is insured
by this rule. The quantity taken
daily must be modified according to
the effects produced.
4. The temperature of the water
should be increased as fast as the pa
tients can bear it. 1t is remarkable
how high degree of heat some pa
tients can endure after taking hot
water for months. AT first such a
temperature would blister the mouth.
Below 10 degrees the heat is not
sufficient. as rule, to have any effects
save as an emetic.
5. The administration of not water
must be continued for at least six
months in order to get its full effects.
1t will he some weeks, as rule, be-
fore any beneficial effects become
markedly apparent. 1T is not sutti-
cient for test of its value that it be
given at irregular intervals, with
variable degrees Of temperature.
The use of cold fluids. in the form
of beverages, mnst be absolutely pro.
hibited.
A restricted diet is often necessary
to the full effect of the treatment, in
some forms OfnervOus arrangements.
II is customary with some patients to
forbid all sweets, pastry, fresh bread
in auy form and fats. The sour wines
are not Usually forbidden, nor is tea
II coffee. unless they are apparently
injurious to the patient. The condi-
ton of the subject, in respect to flesh
is a guide, as a rule, to the character
of the diet prescribed, provided that
marked disturbances to digestion are
not to be comhated.
EFFECTS OF THE TREATMENT.
!. On drinking II goblet of hot water
for the first time sense of warmth
within the stomach will be produced,
unaccOmpanied with nausea. Eruc-
tations of gas from the stomach com
monty occur within few minutes
after the first dose of hot water. This
effect may persist for some weeks
Excessive eructation indicates that
fermentation Of food occurs after eat
Ing.
2. The skin soon shows the effect
of the heat. A gentle glow, with a
tendency to perspiratiOn, is develop
ed rapidly. This is ditfused over the
entire body. Goodness of the extremi-
ties is often very much benefited, and
in short time, by this treatment.
The circulation of the body appears
to become more uniform.
3. The kidneys exhibit marked
effects of this treatment early.
4. The accessory organ, of digestion
1.-THE liver and pancreas) seemed to be
stimulated by the internal use of hot
water. Flatulence and constipation
are enumerated as things of the past
5. The nervous system seems to be
profoundly impressed by prolonged
use of this agent. Especially is this
the case among that class of patients
who suffer from the effect of anaemia
of the brain and of the spinal chord
and spinal nerves.
This method of treatment has GER
tainly one thing in its favor that few
possess, viz: it is harmless. Because
its remedial effects are slow in some
cases, 1t is no proof that they are not
dOubly permanent.
Most Of our nationality chill their
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