Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-05-03
TAKES BATH IN SNOW
HEROIC TREATMENT BY A CON.
suMPTlvE PRoLoNes LIFE.
SLEEPS NEAR GROUND in A TENT

Louis R. Andrews, of Danbury, Conn.,,
Follows Peculiar Method for the
Cure of a Disease With Which He 10
Affected-Likes Plunge in snowbank
A man who can sleep night after
night out of doors in light canvas
tent in zero weather takes a sponge
bath in ice cold water and who likes
nothing better than plunge in a
snowbank costumned as for plunge
in the surf on a hot day. is to be found
in Danbury, Conn. Louis R. Andrews
is his name, his home is at No.
Quien street, and he certainly does not
look capable Of living the strenuous
life he leads.
1t was not from choice Mr.. Andrews
adopted his present mode of life. Two
years ago he was given up by promi.
nent physicians, and although not told
in so many words, was made to under
stand that he must die from consump.
ton, as others Of his family had died
before him.
81 determined" says Mr.. Andrews,
''to die fighting, If l must go. OF
course, knew the value Of the open
air treatment AT first had corner
room in the house fixed up. had the
windows taken out and slept there
all last winter. Then read of the
value of being close to the earth when
dealing with such trouble as mine,
and resolved to try it. So rigged up
an 8 by tent out in the back yard,
and have slept there all winter long.
Yes, have been greatly helped. can't
just explain it, but there Is a peculiar
sensation experienced by one sleeping
close to the ground. | am convinced
that it is the electricity in the earth.
1t gives me a healthful thrill. This
spring and summer shall sleep on
the ground. I now sleep on small
army cot with only light covering
over me. The flaps of the tent are
open, and there is large opening In
the other end for thorough ventila-
ton"
Of the dip in the snow bank which
Mr. Andrews takes frequently, he
says: "You can never know how fine
1t is until you have tried 1t. There Is
electricity in the snow, and when I
come out Of it my body Is all aglow."
When It Is hard work getting
enough snow. Mr.. Andrews frequent
ly takes sponge bath In his tent IN
ice cold water. .s9
"But it isn't so cold; I'm not cold" +"
he declared, the other day. Feel of
my back" and the reporter who touch
ed his flesh. found it.,as warm as if he
had been near a hot stove.
mo, I'm not cuEed yet" said Mr..
Andrews, "but I'm going to be a we'll
man yet. vne
"The only trouble I. now experience
is shortness Of breath in climbing
stairs or going uphill. have resum-
ed my business of piano tuning.
'I am 26 years old. I lost two sis
ters and one brother from consump-
ton and my father has lung trou-
BILE. About three years ago last July
/ had my first hemorrhage. They
came in rapid succession. frequent
ly had four or FIVE a day and had as
many as thirty within six months.
was not able to walk except as took
hold of the back of chair"
After stay of ten weeks at a SAN
atorium Mr. Andrews returned to
Danbury perfect wreck. Then, driv-
en- to desperation. he began the fight
for his life with the great white plague
in the manner described.
OF his snow bath he says: EARLY
last March began by taking off my
shoes and stockings and walking bare
footed in the snow Then, this winter
began going in all over, wearing
nothing but pair of trunks. | have
taken such bath with the mercury
as low as II degrees above zero, and
/ know l have been benefited by these
baths. OF course experience shock
when / first strike the snow, but 1t
only lasts an instant. When come
out my body is all aglow.
81 have not gained vastly In weight
but, 1 am tougher and in better condi'
| ton, MY lungs are healed and do
| not experience any pain. When
| went to the sanatorium, was down to
| 1913 pounds and now weigh 1S5
pounds"
Mr.. Andrews has sdieted himself
carefully in connection with his out
door life. He drinks milk, three, foul
sometimes five quarts daily, eats raw
eggs and little meat; many bananas
and quantities of peanuts.
peanuts are said to be bad for the
| digestion.' said he, "but they never
trouble me- / like them and think
! they help me-"
MI. Andrews says the greatest heir
any consumptive can have is encour
agement by his friends.
| "It's a great thing to have people tc
cheer one along" says he. Some peo
pie thought | wouldn't last month
when began treating myself. Some Of
4 the doctors said was foolish, but
am better now and | am going to be
i we'll man."
i Proper Treatment Of Pneumonia.