Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-08
Home Water
- - ..
Treatments
Give Relief
Hot and Cold, Moving
or Still, Have Uses
BY LOGAN CLENDENING. NJ. d.

A RECENT article in this
"A column on the use of
water in treatment has brought
such a favorable response from
several Of my valued readers
who have urged me to continue
the discussion. that this article
is in the nature OF by re-
quest" contribution.
Water can be used I'm treat
ment by varying its modalities-
hot and cold, still and moving,
and the length of time employed.
A cold stream of water played
on the body forcibly from hose
has a different effect from a hot
bath in the bathtub and al
most endless variations of these
simple modalities can be used in
various diseases.
IT must be remembered also
that they can be used either for
local affections or for general
conditions.
For instance, hot pack on
an infected finger is an example
of local treatment, and envelop-
ing the entire body in a wet
pack over night is an example
Of general treatment for the
purpose OF inducing sleep and
overcoming fatigue and nervous
ness.
I SAID in my previous article
L that most effective hydro
therapeutic procedures could
be carried out in any American
bathroom.
There is one, however, which
requires the facilities of hydro
therapeutic establishment and
where this is available, !
strongly recommend il.
That is the Scotch douche
which consists of stream of
cold water and a stream of hot
water directed on the naked
body from two hoses at the
same time.
I know OF nothing that is cal
culated to be more beneficial for
the tired. nervous over-active
business man in these wartime
days than a Scotch douche.
The streams of water can be
played, alternately hot and cold,
along the spine and over the
rest Of the body.
The infringement OF the water
is stimulating 10 great degree.
You can just feel your nerves
straighten out with the result
that every muscle in the body is
relaxed and you can lie down
for few minutes before the
appetite comes surging for that
dinner that should make you
Danish the cares Of the day.
A SOMEWHAT similar treat
"A ment which results in some
what the same reactions in the
body can be carried out in your
bathroom and is called affusion.
Affusion is usually given with
the patient sitting in an empty
bathtub.
The bottom OF the bathtub
should be covered with a bath
towel.
A pitcher OF water with q
temperature of so TO sc degrees
r. is poured on the body by the
attendant who holds the pitcher
about head-high and with up
raised arm.
The simplicity Of the technique
OF the affusion idea has caused
it to be neglected for more COM
plicated and spectacular forms
of treatment.
II is valuable in any condition
which is accompanied by fatigue.
nervous exhaustion and charac-
terized by loss Of tone and re-
sistance.
The effect Of the affusion Is
not the same as that Of a cold
bath and not the same as cold
shower.
The shock caused by a broad
stream of cold water is the
secret of its effectiveness.
In the case of the weak
patient it is well 10 begin with
warmer water and gradually
reach the colder temperature.
1t can be carried out in the
evening before going to bed day
after day for many weeks in
succession.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS
c. f. C.:-What causes ST.
Vltus dance? Is il easily cured 1?
Answer: ST. Vitus dance,
which the doctors call chorea,
is an infectious disease related
10 inflammatory rheumatism.
1t affects the nervous system
and causes the patient to make