The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-09-10
Home Health
n Club
q By DAVID d. READER, Ph. D.M.D.
La Porte, Ind.
sMsHzazzzauza@zau=EzA 49,

! have given some history regarding
the use of water in the treatment of dis
ease as well as some valuable ideas re-
garding the effects Of heat and cold. In
taking up the study of hydropathy. the
First principles which must be mastered
are the different effects made upon the
human body by the application of water
at varying temperatures tt has almost
universally been supposed that cold va
ter acted as a tonic. This, however, IS
only partially true The true action OF
cold water Or in fact the application Of
tald in any form is depressant. Theton
fc effects of very brieN application Of
cold water, such as cold 5itz bath, cold
plunge. cold haad bath, affusion or DOUGH,
IS wholly reflex and the feeling of ex-
hilaration does not come while the cold
is being applied, but afterward when re-
action is established.
The amount of area of the skin. cover
ing human being of ordinary size, is
about II square feet I might say that
this skin or covering is full of holes, but
this would not be, strictly speaking, quite
true, therefore will call them by their
proper names, sweat glands They are
in almost every portion Of the skin, but
the largest andmost numerous are found
IN the palm OF the hands, upon the soies
of the feet, the forehead and in the
axilla or arm pits, while the smallest
and feWest are found upon the back.
When in normGl health and the proper
amount of food and liquid is taken into
ais.3 stomach, the sweat glands will Sc
crete about one quart of water in 81
hours. About one pint is also thrown off
by the lungs. Now this makes liz
quarts of water which is daily thrown out
Of the living body In addition to that
Which passes away as urine. How many
realize the vast Importance of this
knowledge? How much water do you
Brink in "a hours? Thinking the matter
over soberly, are you surprised that you
suffer with constipation, when not more
than single glass of water is taken
daily, and perhaps cup or two Of other
liquid in the form Of tea, coffee, soup or
fruits The body must have water In
ternalIy in order to maintain health and
its scientific application externally for
the treatment of disease, will naturally
follow q correct knowledge OF its value
and Importance internally have seen
the sweat run in streams from the axilIa
or arm pits of patients who were suffer
ing with certain ID kin or nervous trou-
b1es and it required skillful treatment OF
the right kind to restore activity to the
sweat glands of other parts of the skin
In order to establish tie natural equili-
brium.
In other persons very offensive odor
Is emitted from the feet by reason OF the
excessive flow of perspiration. When
first this Precipitation appears upon the
soles of the feet. the odor is no more Of
fensive than il emitted from the plans
of hands or forehead, but by reason Of
being confined in the hosiery and shoes it
quickly decomposes and becomes fettd
Bathing the feet in very hot water at
night, just before retiring, usually gives
prompt relief. If, however, the condi-
ton has existed for a long time and the
sweat glands of the feet have become
NEtLhChCu VI dtSCdSGGt LuCn S1lE I13tO8-'
ing, which may be termed a part of
hydrotherapeutic treatment, should be
applied to the entire body, including the
feet. One pint Of good vinegar, add one
teaspoonful Of salt and one teaspoonful
of red pepper. Steep or simmer down
one-ha1f over slow fire. Sponge the
entire body with this at night just be-
fore retiring. This treatment may need
to be rep ated In about week, but II the
hot foot baths are kept up for several
nights, I do not think the solution will
need to be repeated more than once. a
strict adherence to hydrotherapeutic
practice would necessitate the appliea-
ton of cold wet sheet pack TO the entire
body with the hot baths for the feet only.
Because of the fact that the skin is the
portion of the body through which the
heat or cold from water is able to cure
disease. Or relieve disordered conditions,
it will be necessary to study the subject
OF the sweat glands and the various ways
in which they are effected. The impor-
lance of this will readily be understood
when It is known that perspiration may
be increased in nearly dozen different
ways and decreased in less than half as
many.
CT4Y3 NaTas