The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-29
FOUR DAYS IN BATH.
Strange Case of a Patient in Bellevue
Hospital

New York, May 29-The case of Louis
Mencke, who has been lying since Thurs
day last in Bellevue hospital. submerged
to his neck in a bathtub, has aroused con-
siderable interest, not only in medical
circles, but among the general public.
Although the hopes of the physicians
rose at first, they say now that there is
doubt about saving the patient. His
form has become emaciated and as he
lies in water heated to a high tempera-
ture he shivers like man subjected to
freezing cold.
The treatment is not new to the medi-
cal world and has frequently been en-
ployed with success in cases of nervous
disease not so far advanced as is
Mencke's. But it is the first time the
treatment has ever been undertaken at
Bellevue, and therefore the present ex-
pertinent is not only of especial interest
to the internes and visiting staff of the
institution, but to the profession gener>
ally.
When Mencke was first admitted to the
hospital, his condition was partially des>
cribed as gangrenous state of the skin.
He is really suffering from a paralysis
of the nerves, which communicate with
and supply nourishment to the skin. Very
soon after the admission to the hospital,
where he was placed in ward No. 26, the
gangrenous sores increased upon his body
and he suffered horrible agonies.
1t was on last Thursday that he was
first carried from his cot in ward No. 20,
stripped naked and placed in the hot
bath. The water was heated to a tenn
perature of 81 degrees. The effects of the
treatment were remarkable. Mencke had
only been in the bath a couple of hours
when his delirium abated completely,
and he began to rest easily. For the first
time in many weeks an expression other
than one of suffering appeared in his half
closed eyes, and to the astOnishment of
both physicians and attendants he later
in the day, fell into the first natural
sleep he had enjoyed since he entered the
hospital.
MencFe remained in his queer bed all
that day and night. The temperature OF
the water was slightly decreased from
time to time as the occasion seemed to
demand it, but no other alterations OF
the treatment were attempted.
By an arrangement of the piping of the
bath apparatus the water in the tub was
kept constantly renewed and an even
temperature maintained.
On the following day the patient seem
ed to be slightly improved. He was able
to take a little liquid nourishment. His
skin was found to be softer and the sores
which had caused him so much agony
were pronounced clean and somewhat i'm
proved in appearance.
For the next three days-Friday, Satur.
day and Sunday-Mencke did not leave
his bath tub. 1t cannot be said that hi:
lot was hopeless. He was free from pair
and he reclined comfortably on his
rubber cushion under coverlet of warm
and soothing water.
He was taken out of the bath early yes
terday morning in order that a careful
examination might be made of the re-
suits of the treatment. The change
seemed b aggravate his distempter. The
old pains returned to rack his frame I'M
til he groaned aloud with pain. 1t was
thought best. therefore. to return him al
once to the bath, and accordingly he was
once more submerged.