Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-14
THE HOT WATER CURE.
The Method Of Treatment, the Effect of
1t. etc.

1t is said to be fact that more persons are to-
day taking hot water for various ailmepts than
any single drug In our pharmacopaia. The
benefits that result from the internal use Of hot
water must be due, in part, at least, If not
wholly to heat, said DR.. Ambrose L. Ranney in
recent lecture before the academy of medicine,
in Hartford. Some of the effects are manifested
almost Immediately in organs connected di-
rectly with the digestive apparatus.
RULES FOR ADMINISTRATION.
1. The water may be taken in doses of from
one goblet to oneand-a-half. An ordinary COB
let contains about ten ounces. The dose must
be modified in accordance with its effects.
2. 1t must be drunk hot, and not warm 10
to $50 degrees9 If necessary, fifteen minutes
or more may be consumed in slipping goblet
full. Wooden cups prevent the water from cool
ing quickly. The water may be favored with
lemon, sugar, salt, ginger, etc, if necessary but
III becomes very agreeable TO the palate without
such alter the patient has taken 1t for short
time.
3. The dose must be taken one hour and a half
before each meal with absolute 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 intes-
tine or its absorption before the meal is insured
by this rule. The quantity taken daily must be
modified according to the effects produced.
.: ne temperature OF the water should DE IN D.
remarkable how high a degree of heat some pa
tents can endure after taking hot water for
blister the mouth Below no degrees 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
It's full effects. 1t will be some weeks, as a rule,
before any beneficial effects become markedly
apparent. 1t is not sufficient for n test of its
value that 1t be given at irregular intervals,
with variable degrees of temperature.
The use of cold fluids, in the form of beVer-
ages, must be absolutely prohibited.
A restricted diet is often necessary to the full
vous OF 5ne in Soe iprW Wt Oh
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.
The condition of the subject, in respect to flesh,
is guide, as rule, to the character of the diet
prescribed, provided that marked disturbances
TO digestion are not to be combated.
EFFECTS OF THE TREATMENT.
1. On drinking a goblet of hot water.for the
first time sense of warmth within the stOm-
ach will be produced, unaccompanied with
nausea. Eructations of gas from the stomach
commonly occur within few minutes after
the first dose of hot water. This effect may per-
s1st for seme weeks. Excessive eructatiOn in
dictates that fermentation of food occurs after
eating
2. The skin soon shows the effect of the heat.
A gentle glow with tendency to perspiratiOn,
Is developed rapidly. This is dif1used over the
entire body. Goodness of the eXtremities 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 digestion (the liver
and pancreas) seemed to be stimulated by the
internal use of hot water. Flatulence and con-
st1pation are enumerated as things of the past.
D. Theinervous system seems to be profoundly
impressed by prolonged of this agent.
Especially is this the case among that class of
patients who suffer from the effects of an@mia
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, 1t 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 stomachs
with ice water between meals and during the
act of eating. Who would think of feeding a
horse and placing n bucket Of ice water by his
SIDE? The question may be raised if this one
nervous systems of men than tobacco or
alcohol.
CONCLUSIONS.
1. 1t is harmless if properly administered. A
degree of temperature that can be endured by
the mouth will not impair the integrity of the
stomach. Many of us drink coffee and tea at
an equally high temperature, and in as large
quantities as are compatible with the hot water
treatment.
2. Its effects are comparatively uniform, pro-
Vided 1t be given for a sufficient period. EXcep-
tons prove a rule. Isolated cases may be occa-
slonally encountered where the results as stated
do not occur.
3. IL seems 10 exert curative influence upon
many of the chronic diseases that influence and
disturb the proper assimilation of food. Some
OF these are important factors in the develop
ment of nervous arrangements.
4. 1t appears that the curative influence of
hot water is not usually transient. In many
cases the symptoms have shown no tendency
to return when once checked by it use, pro-
vided the patients indiscretions do not lead to
a relapse.
5. 1t may be employed as an adjunct to all
recognized methods of treatment, without det-
rlment to the patient.
g. 1t exerts a marked influence upon disturb
ances of the nerves.
Z. In diabetes and in some kidney derange-
ments its action as diuretic is quite remark
able in some cases.
8. As a laxative, hot water has a slow but de-
cided action. 1t seems to be iustifable deduc-
ton that the functions of the accessory organ
of digestion are made active by its use and
brought to a standard of health.
8. The skin is stimulated by the use Of this
agent, and the cutaneOus circulation is appar-
emily rendered more uniform.