The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-24
TIE HoT.wATER CURE
Rules for Administration-The Effects Of tho
Treatment and ths Points ip it, Favor.

VsAS ~ 10 AOSCkGuAO6O y AHCUS tutSb uuOE0
persons are to-day taking hot water
tor various ailments than any single
drug in our pharmacopeia. The
spread In the belief in the medicinal
value of hot water has travelled chiefly
by word Of mouth. To apply hot wat.
er incidentally could not have become
so universal . custom unless great
benefit had been bestowed by it upon
many.
1t was first employed in 1858, &C.
cording to DR.. Cutter, by DR.. j. H.
Salisbury, who made use of 1t in a
series of experiments undertaken upon
animals and men, with the reference
to the effects Of food upon the animal
economy as cause and cure of dis
case. These experiments were COM
mented upon by The London Lancet as
"valuable American contribution to
medicine" according to DR.. Cutter.
The benefits that result from the in.
formal use of hot water must be due,
in part, at least, If not wholly, to
heat. said DIR. Ambrose l.. Ranney in
a recent lecture before the Academy
of Medicine in this city. Some of its
effects are manifested almost immedi-
ately in organs not connected directly
with tho digestive apparatus.
Tho water may be taken in doses of
from one goblet to one and half. An
ordinary goblet contains about ten
ounces. The dose must be modified in
accordance with its effects.
1t must be drunk hot. and not warm
(11O to $50 degrees). If necessary,
fifteen minutes or more may be con-
sumed in slipping gobletfuf. Wood.
en- cups prevent tho water from cool
ing quickly. The water may be flaw
ored with lemon. sugar, salt, ginger,
etc., 1t necessary, but it becomes very
agreeable to the palate without such
after the patient has taken it for q
short time.
The dose must be taken ono hour
and a half before each meal, with alb
solute punctuality, and one at bed
time. Patients have the first dose
brought to their bedside, and consume
1t before rising. The passage of the
fluid into the intestine, or its absorp:
ton before the meal, is insured by this
rule. The quantity taken daily must
be modified according to the effects
produced.
The temperature of the water should
be increased as fast as the patients can
bear it, 1t is remarkable how high a
degree of heat some patients can en-
dure after taking hot water for months.
At first such temperature would blist-
or the mouth. Below ITO degrees tho
heat Is not sufficient to have any Of.
fects save as an emetic.
The administration of hot water
must be continued at least six months
in order to get its full effects. It will
be some weeks, as rule, before any
beneficial effects become markedly ap-
parent. 1t is not sufficient for a test
of its value that it be given at irregu-
lar intervals, with variable degrees of
temperatures.
The use of cold fluids in tho form of
beverages must be absolutely prohib-
tied.
A restricted diet is often necessary
to the full effects of the treatment in
some forms of nervous arrangements.
1t is customary with some patients to
forbid all sweets, pastry. fresh bread
in any form, and fats. The sour wines
arc not usually forbidden, nor is tea
or coffee, unless they are apparently
injurious to the patient. The condi-
tion Of the subject, in respect to flesh,
is guide, as rule, to the character
of the diet prescribed, provided that
marked disturbance to digestion arc
not to be combated.
On drinking agoblet of hot water
kneA fSvsnf O$ 4,
within the stomach will be produced,
unaccompanied with nausea. Eructa-
tions of gas from the stomach COM
monty occur within q 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.
The skin soon shows the effect of
the heat. A gentle glow with a ten
dency to perspiration is developed
rapidly. This is diffused over the en-
tire body. Coldness of tho extremitles
is often very much benefited, and in q
short time, by this treatment. The
circulation of the body appears to be-
come more uniform.
Tho kidneys exhibit marked effects
of this treatment early.
The accessory organs of digestion
(the liver and pancreas) seems to be
stimulated by the internal use of hot
water. Flatulence and constipation
are enumerated as things of the past.
The nervous system seems to be pro-
foundly impressed by prolonged use
of this agent. Especially is this the
case among that class of patients who
suffer from the effects of anemia of.the
brain and of the spinal cord and spinal
nerves.
This method of treatment has GER
tainly one thing in its favor that few
possess-viz., it is harmless. Because
It's remedial effects are slow in some
cases, it is no proof that they are NOT
doubly permanent,
Most of our nationality chill their
stomachs with ice water between meals
and during the act of eating. Who
would think of feeding a horse, and
placing bucket of ice-water by his
sideP The question may be raised IL
this one habit alone has not done more
harm to the nervous systems of men
than tobacco or alcohol.
The success of hot mineral waters
as consumed at the famous hot springs
of this country and Europe, for chronic
diseases, probably depends more upor
tho employment of internal heat thar
upon the mineral ingredients of the
waters themselves.
1t is harmless if properly administer.
ed. A degree Of temperature thai
can be endured by the mouth will moi
impair the integrity of the stomach
Many of US drink coffee and tea at ar
equally high temperature, and in al
large quantities as are compatible will
tho hot-water treatment.
Its effects are comparatively uni
form, provided it be given for suffi
cient period. Exceptions prove th'
rule. Isolated cases may be occasion
ally encountered where the results a
stated do not occur.
1t seems to exert a curative influence
upon many of the chronic disease
that influence and disturb the prope
assimilation OF food. Some of thes
are important factors in the develop
ment of nervous arrangements.
Itappears that the curative inffuenc