Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-02-27
The Hot water Cure.
THE METHOD OF TREATMENT, THE
EFFECT OF II, ETC.


EFFECT OF II, ETC.
1t is said to be a fact that more
persons are to-day taking hot water
for various ailments than any single
drug in our pharmacopoeia. The
benefits that result from the inter
nal use Of hot water must be due,
in part, at least, if not wholly to
heat, said Dr. Ambrose l.. Ranney
in a recent lecture before the
academy Of medicine, in Hartford.
Some Of the effects are manifested
almost Immediately in organs con-
nected directly with the digestive
apparatus.
RULES FOR ADMINISTRATORS.
/. The water may be taken in
doses Of from one goblet to one.
and-a-half. And ordinary goblet
contains about ten ounces. The
dose must be modified in accor-
dance with its effects.
.. 1t must be drunk hot, and not
warm N10 to $50 degrees.) If
necessary, fifteen minutes or more
may be consumed in slipping a
gobletful. Wooden cups prevent
the water from cooling quickly
The water may be favored with
lemon, sugar, salt, ginger, etc, II
necessary, but it becomes very
agreeable to tho palate without
such after the patient has taken 1t
for a short time.
3. The dose must be taken one
hour and a half before each meal
with absolute punctuality, and one
at bedside, and consume it before
rising. The passage Of the fluid
into the intestine, or its absorption
before the meal, is insured 10y this
rule Tho quantity taken daily
must be- modified according to the
effects produced.
4. The temperature Of the water
should be increased as fast as the
patients can bear it. 1t is remark
able how high "a degree Of heat
some patients can endure after
taking hot water for months. At
first such a temperature would
blister the mouth. Below llO de-
grees the heat is not sufficient, as
rule, to have any effects, save as an
emetic.
5. The administration Of hot
water must be continued for at
least six months in order to get its
full effects. II will be some weeks,
as a rule, before any beneficial
effects become markedly apparent.
It is not sufficient for a 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, must be abso.
lutely prohibited.
\ restricted diet is often ncces-
sary to the full effects Of the treat.
ment, in some forms Of nervous
arrangements. II is customary,
with some patients to forbid all
sweets, pastry, fresh bread in any
form and fats. The sour wines are
not usually forbidden, nor is tea or
coffee, unless they are apparently
injurious to the patient. Tho CON
dition Of tho subject, in respect to
flesh, is a guide, as rule, to the
character Of the diet prescribed,
provided that marked disturbances
to digestion are not to be com.
batcd.
EFFECTS OF THE TREATMENT.
/. On drinking a goblet Of hot
water for the first time a sense Of
warmth within the stomach will be
produced, unaccOmpanied with
nausea. Eructalions Of gas from
tho stomach commonly occur with
in a few minutes after the first doso
of hot water, This effect may per
sist for some weeks. Excessive /
eruption indicates that fermenta-
ton Of food occurs after eating.
.. The skin soon shows the effect |
of the heat. \ gentle glow, with a
tendency to perspiration, is de. .
veloped rapidly. This is difused
over the entire body. Goodness Of
the extrcmitics is often very much
benefited, and in a 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 organs Of diges-
tiOn (thoIver and pancreas) seemed
to be stimulated by the internal
use of hot water. Flatulence and
constipation are enumerated as
things Of the past.
8. The nervous system seems to
be profoundly impressed by pro-
longed use of this agent. Especi-
ally is this the case among that
class Of patients who suffer from
the effects of anaemia of the brain
and of the spinal chord and spinal
nerves.
This method of treatment has
certainly one thing in its favor that
few possess, viz, it is harmless
Because its remedial effects are
slow in some cases, it is no proof
that they are not doubly pcrma.
neDt.
Most of our nationality chill their