The uses of water in health and disease

by John Harvey Kellogg

SITZ BATH.

The sitz bath, also known as the hip bath, is one of the most useful baths employed in hydropathic treatment. Its utility was fully recognized by the earlier practitioners, who sometimes kept their patients so long in the bath that they became almost literally water-soaked, and were so numb from the long-continued application of cold water as to possess almost no external sensibility. It is said that in some cases the skin could be rubbed off in the attempts to obtain reaction, without the patient’s knowledge.

For this bath a common tub may be used, by placing a support under one edge to elevate it two or three inches; but it is better to use a tub made for the purpose, which should have the back raised eight or ten inches higher than the front, to support the back, the sides sloping gradually so as to support the arms of the bather. The bottom should be elevated two or three inches. The depth in front should be about the same as that of a common wash-tub.

Enough water is required to cover the hips and extend a little way up the abdomen; four to six gallons will suffice. Any temperature may be employed, being suited to the condition of the patient. The duration of the bath will also vary according to circumstances. A short cool bath is tonic in its effects, like all short cool applications; a more prolonged one is a powerful sedative. The hot sitz is very exciting in its effects if long continued. The warm bath is relaxing. The hips and trunk should be well rubbed during the bath by the patient or an attendant. The bather should be covered with a sheet or blanket during the bath. If it is desirable to produce sweating, several blankets may be used.

The sitz bath should seldom be taken either very hot or extremely cold. A very good plan for administering it, and one which will be applicable to most cases, is this: Begin the bath at 92° or 93°. If a thermometer is not at hand, pour into the bath-tub three gallons of fresh well or spring water, and then add one gallon of boiling water. This will give the desired temperature. After the patient has been in the bath ten minutes, cool it down to 85°, which may be done by adding a gallon of well water. Continue the bath five minutes longer, then administer a pail douche or spray, at about 85°, and wipe dry, as directed after a rubbing wet-sheet.

The sitz bath is useful for chronic congestions of the abdominal and pelvic viscera, diarrhea, piles, dysentery, constipation, uterine diseases, and genital and urinary disorders. In treating female diseases it is an indispensable remedy. It is very valuable in various nervous affections, especially those which immediately involve the brain.

There is no better remedy for a cold than a very warm sitz bath taken while fasting, and just before retiring. It should be continued until gentle perspiration is induced.

The sitz may be converted into a general bath by rubbing the whole body with the wet hand while in the bath, and may thus be made to answer the purposes of the half and shallow baths.