WATER CURE.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1714, 13 August 1862, Page 4

WATER CURE.

Most blessed water ! neither tongue can tell The blessedncsi thereof, nor heart can think Save only those to whom it hath been given To taste of that divinest gift of heaven. I stopped and drank of that divinest well. Fresh from the rock of ages whence it ran ; It had a heavenly quality to quell AH pain. I rose a renovated man ; And would not now when that relief was known, For worlds, the needful sufferings have foregone. —Soutjiky. To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir, —In a former communication I gave the opinions of Dr. Rush, Dr. Baillie, Dr. Abcrnethy, and Di> Forbes, all in direct antagonism to their own system of docteriug by drugs. I also gave those of Sir Charles Scudamore, M.D., Surgeon Herbert Mayo, and Dr. James Johnson, altogether in i'avor of Hydropathy or the water cure, and in subsequent letters 1 gave some plain directions to persons wishing to make trial of its effects. I recollect many years ago, (before my acquaintance with hydropathy) being laid up for several days with severe pains in the lower part of the back. This affection is called by doctors Lumbago (from the Latin lumbus the loin). For two days I durst not stir head or neck without feeling the most intense pain. After a week or so I was able to go out after taking some doses of Dover's powder. I need Dover's powder, or any powder, no longer, and if obliged to go out I am not afraid of catching cold. What is the plan to be adopted. Simply this. At the commencement of the pain, wet a towel and fold it in two lengthwise and wrap round the body over the place where the pain lies, then wrap five or six folds of flannel over to keep in the heat. If you are better in the morning, after sleeping thus swathed all night, wash the part on which the bandage lay with tepid water (or cold) and you may leave it off for the day, and if you wish you may resume it at night. But if neglected for any time and the pains become great, bathe or steep with hot water, as hot as you can bear it, and apply the calico or napkin dipped in warm water to the place, and report progress in the morning; if not cured try to keep it on all day, first wetting the place with tepid water, and then drying it and afterwards put on the bandage wetted again. This you will find will effect a cure without doctering or physic. If parents adopt the plan'given in my second last lcttor in reference to sore throats, they will keep quinsey, diptheria, and other throat affections from their children. To keep up a general healthy state or condition, let the wet and dry sheets bo used daily, and in addition the foot bath and sitting or sitz bath. The sitz bath is used thus: get a small tub into which put two or three inches depth of water. Sit in this bath for 10 or 15 minutes, and then dry and nib well to bring on warmth or reaction. This is a most valuable remedy for incipient piles, and if frequently used, piles will not come at all. The foot bath is used in the same way, but while the feet are in, continno to rub them together and afterwards let them bo well diied with a coarse cloth. If the feet continue cold, take a smart walk for a short time. In my next I will describe the manner in which persons may give themselves a wet sheet pack, in the great importance of which Priesnitz, the inventor of Hydropathy, prided 'himself. I have gained many valuable hints from the nuiuerousj contributors to your valuable paper, and it is only fair in return to gtvo them the opportunity of taking a low notes out of my book to which they arc heartily welcome, provided they "go and do likewise." I am, &c, Pwi.MU'UUOI'O.S,