File:The German nature-cure, and how to practise it (1897) (14591130280).jpg

Identifier: germannaturecure00aida (find matches)
Title: The German nature-cure, and how to practise it
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Aidall, I
Subjects: Hygiene Therapeutics, Physiological Hygiene Therapeutics
Publisher: London : Nichols & Co.
Contributing Library: Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine
Digitizing Sponsor: Open Knowledge Commons and Harvard Medical School

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exercise taken, or re-warming in bed. The soothing half bath (warm temperature), as given inacute illness, expands the blood vessels, particularly the abdo-men, thus promoting an active flow of blood to the liver and BATHS. 31 other torpid parts. At the same time the pores of the skin areopened, and perspiration induced. The stimulating half bath (cool temperature), as chieflyused in chronic complaints, arouses the dormant activity ofthe skin, and draws the blood to its surface. Its powers ofexcretion are thereby increased, and the circulation of theblood and vital processes quickened. In cases of abdominal weakness, piles, hysteria, weaknessof the kidneys, etc., Kneipp gave the half bath quite cold forhalf to three minutes. SITZ BATH HIP BATH. If no proper sitz bath is at hand, any tub, wooden or other-wise (or even herring barrel, well cleaned and cut transversely),will answer the purpose, provided there is room to sit with thewater up to the navel, the legs being outside. (Fig. 2.)
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Fig. 2. The hip bath differs from the sitz bath by sloping moreat the back, thus allowing a reclining posture and room forfriction. (Fig. 3 ; see next page.) These baths serve to act directly on the abdomen and itsorgans, and so indirectly on the whole system. The strengthening sitz or hip bath is taken with cold orcool water for half to three minutes, with vigorous kneadingor rubbing of the abdomen with hands or coarse cloth, fromthe navel downwards, and on both sides; re-warming after-wards, either in bed or by brisk exercise. Indicated in 32 THE GERMAN NATURE-CURE. abdominal, bowel, and sexual complaints, and in digestivedisorders, constipation, piles, etc. It should not be takenmore than three times a week. The stimulating sitz or hip bath is from 74 to 77 deg.,or from 82 to 88 deg., for ten to fifteen minutes. Also withfriction as above. Indicated in deep-seated digestive andsexual complaints, piles, etc. The soothing or derivative sitz or hip bath is from about^80 to 96 deg. for

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