The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-04-24
THE W D
RuIes for Administration-The Effects of the
Treatment and the Points In ifs Favor.

It may seem a startling assertion,
but it is nevertheless a fact, that more
persons are to-day taking hot water
for 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 aaouth. To apply hot wat
err incidentally could not have become
so universal a custom unless great
benefit had been bestowed by it upon
many.
1t was first employed in 1858, ac-
cording to DIR. Cutter, by DR.. J. H.
Salisbury, who made use of ii in a
series of experiments undertaken upon
animals and men, with the reference
to the effects of food upon the animal
economy as q cause and cure of dis
ease. These experiments were COM
mented upon by The London Lancet as
a valuable American contribution to
medicine, according to DR.. Cutter.
The benefits that result from the IN
ternal 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 this city. Some of its
effects are manifested almost immedi-
ately in organs not connected directly
with the digestive apparatus.
The 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
(110 to $50 degrees). If necessary,
fifteen minutes or more may be con-
sumed in slipping a gobletful. Wood
en- cups prevent the water from cool
ing quickly. The water may be flaw
ored with lemon, sugar, salt, ginger,
ETC., if necessary, but it becomes very
agreeable to the palate without such
after the patient has taken it for a
short time.
The dose must be taken one hour
and a half before each meal, with abb
solute punctuality, and mi at bed
time. Patients bave the first dose
brought to their bedside, and consume
it before rising. The passage of the
fluid into the intestine, or its absorb
tion 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 waterfo for months.
At first such temperature would blist-
or the mouth. Below 10 degrees the
heat is not sufficient to have any eff
fects save as an emetic.
The administration of hot water
must be continued at least six months
in order to get its full effects. 1t will
be some weeks, as a rule, before any
beneficial effects become markedly APP
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 the 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
are not usually forbidden, nor is tea
or 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 disturbance to digestion are
not to be combated.
On drinking a goblet of hot water
for the first time a sense OF warmth
within the stomach will be produced,
unaccompanied with nausea. Eructa-
lions of gas from the stomach COM
monty occur within a 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 Precipitation is developed
rapidly. This is diffused over the en-
tire body. Goodness of the extremities
ia often very much benefited, and In a
short time, by this treatment. The
circulation of the body appears TO be-
come more uniform.
The kidneys exhibit marked effects
of this treatment early.
The accessory organs OF digestion
(the liver and pancreas)s eems to be
stimulated by the internal use of hoI
water. Flatulence and constipation
are enumerated as things of the past
The neryous system seems to be pro
foundly impressed by a prolonged use
of this agent. Especially is this The
case among that class of patients who
suffer from the effects of an@mia of.th'
brain and of the spinal cord and spina
nerves.
This method Of treatment has GER
tainly one thing In its favor that few
possess-viz., 1t Is harmless. Because