I.—Vincent Priessnitz.
“Discover what will destroy life, and you are a great man—what will prolong it and you are an impostor! Discover some invention in machinery that will make the rich more rich, and the poor more poor, and they will build you a statue! Discover some mystery in art, that will equalise disparities, and they will pull down their houses to stone you.”—Bulwer.
Priessnitz was born at Gräfenberg, October, 4th 1800. His father became blind in his nineteenth year, and remained so until his death, which took place in 1838, a period of thirty-two years, during fourteen of which his son was his guide. His mother was killed by a bull in 1821.
Priessnitz’s family have been in possession of the estate he now owns, consisting of about 180 acres of land, for upwards of 200 years, so that a mistake arose in calling him a peasant, instead of a farmer’s son, or yeoman of Silesia. Two centuries ago (1645), when the country was invaded by the Swedes, a soldier, attempting to carry off a female of the family, was pursued and slain by one of Priessnitz’s ancestors on the spot now called the Priessnitz-Quelle (or spring). A tablet placed over the spring, commemorates this event.
Priessnitz was born, in what is now called the “stone house,” (opposite the large establishment) which he inherited with the land.
He began dabbling in the Water-cure, when only twelve or thirteen years old. Having sprained his wrist, he pumped upon it and applied a wet bandage, which produced an Ausschlag, or eruption; he not knowing whether it would be beneficial or otherwise. The question was, however, soon decided; for the sprain was cured. Finding the same plan, in other sprains, cuts, and bruises invariably succeed, he recommended its adoption to his neighbours.
He next applied the wet bandage to swollen joints and local pains, and was gradually led to its application in gout and rheumatism. Observing that the wet bandage remained cold from want of heat in the part affected, he covered it with a dry one to prevent evaporation, and confine the heat. The appearance of eruption in many cases before amelioration or cure, led him to suppose that there was generally some peccant or foreign matter required to be drawn out, or eliminated. Thus drawn on to think and reason on the subject, his powers of invention were kept in constant activity to find new expedients for producing the desired effects in the fresh cases presented to him; until the present complete and efficacious system, or science was gradually developed and matured.
In treating a cut hand in one person he found it heal kindly; in another, it became angry and inflamed: whence he concluded that the blood of the one was healthy, and of the other impure. Reflecting on the effect of bandages and baths, in extracting and attracting heat, and exciting eruptions when applied, he resorted to the elbow bath, and bandages up the arm, to relieve the hand. Other modes of treatment were progressively discovered and added.
When sixteen years of age, after loading a waggon with hay, Priessnitz was standing at the horse’s head, whilst his companions were cogging the wheel; before this was effected the horse struggled, overcame him and rushed down the hill, which was very steep. Unwilling that the animal should destroy itself, Priessnitz would not relinquish his hold, his foot caught in a bush and he fell between the horse’s feet, was dragged, trampled upon and severely bruised. He was taken up senseless, with two of his front teeth gone, and three ribs on the left side broken, he was carried home, and a doctor sent for: who, after causing great pain by probing and punching the side, applied his remedies, at the same time prognosticating that his patient would never perfectly recover. Priessnitz having no respect for treatment or opinion, declined the doctor’s further attendance.
He then began to manage himself. By frequently holding his breath, and pressing his abdomen on the side of a table, for a painful length of time, he forced back the ribs into their proper position. Wet bandages were constantly applied and changed, and water drunk in abundance. By perseverance in these means he rapidly mended, and in twelvemonths his health was completely restored.
His own faith and that of many of his neighbours in the power of water was thus established; and ere long the peasantry from all sides flocked to him for aid. Some thought him endowed with the power of witchcraft; others honored him as a prophet; all wondering at his success in curing disease. Sponges used by him in washing his patients were regarded as talismans—as containing within them something gifted with a mysterious and marvellous operation. Broom-sticks were placed across his doorway, to see whether on coming out he could get over without displacing them, it being a prevalent opinion that only those practising witchcraft can.
His antagonists took advantage of this disposition of the people; and their opinion that Priessnitz was possessed by an evil spirit was encouraged by the priests, who denounced him publicly in the church. Some idea of the excitement got up against him may be found, from the fact, that the peasantry were in the habit of throwing stones at the early visitors to his house.
Numbers, however, came to him for advice, which he then only gave at his own house; afterwards he was induced to visit his patients. This seemed to dissolve the spell, and his reputation began to decline, notwithstanding he claimed no remuneration nor accepted any fee: from hundreds his applicants fell off to tens. He soon perceived that what is simple, costing neither money nor trouble, loses its value, or is but coldly appreciated; he therefore returned to his previous usage of giving advice only at home, leaving people to believe as much as they pleased in the magical virtues of his remedies.
His reputation now rose higher than ever, and spread far and wide. Strangers from distant parts came to Gräfenberg, so that he was compelled to increase the size of his house for their accommodation; and thus his establishment commenced.
He was not yet, however, allowed to proceed smoothly in his career: many viewed his growing reputation with jealousy. The two medical men and the Burgomaster at Freiwaldau set on foot a conspiracy to crush him. Their persecutions lasted thirteen years: but, as frequently occurs in similar cases, these were among the circumstances that eventually advanced his success; since but for this pressure from without, he never would have so completely developed the power of water over disease; and the physiological and pathological truths that have in consequence come to light, must still have lain buried in darkness. During all this period, he was strictly watched, to see if he applied aught else than the pure element; calling for the exertion of his utmost ingenuity, to supply, by water alone, the place of every other remedy.
He was frequently brought before the Syndic at Freiwaldau; but all endeavours to convict him of any unlawful act (which the administration of drugs or herbs in an unlicensed practitioner would have been) had failed, when in 1828, a more determined attempt was made to put an end to his proceedings. Witnesses were brought forward to prove that he had injured them, and others that he had pretended to cures that had actually been performed by the medical men. But none, when examined, could deny that Priessnitz had benefited them, and taken no payment in return.
There was a miller, whom both the doctor and Priessnitz claimed the merit of curing. On being examined, the miller was asked which of the two had effected the cure? “What shall I say?” answered he: “Both; the doctor relieved me of my money, and Priessnitz of my disease. In return, I have given him nothing—not even thanks, which I take this opportunity of offering him for the first time.” This was of little avail; his calumniators had resolved his downfall. Accordingly, he was next accused of quackery, in illegally tampering with the public health, and ordered to be put under arrest. An appeal to the tribunal at Brünn, caused this unjust sentence to be reversed; and he then obtained permission to have a cold-water bathing establishment. Discontented at this, his persecutors shortly after brought him to the court at Weidenau, a neighbouring town, on the hypocritical plea that the connection between his accusers and the authorities of Freiwaldau might, contrary to their wishes, give a colour of unfairness to the proceedings. The tribunal of Weidenau could not reverse the sentence of that at Brünn, but prohibited Priessnitz from treating any persons but those of his own parish or district. He replied that water was free to all, and that he was not in the habit of inquiring whence an invalid came previously to administering aid. Feeling he was right, he persisted in acting as before; and for some time, no further notice was taken of him.
In 1831, his enemies took a bolder course, by raising an alarm of the craft being in danger. This enlisted in their cause the medical men at Vienna, who brought the subject under the notice of the emperor. He sent Dr. Baron Turckheim with a commission of district and staff surgeons to Gräfenberg, to investigate and report on the new system, and the proceedings of its originator. Notwithstanding that most of these gentlemen were prejudiced against both, they were astonished and pleased at what they witnessed; and their report was of so favourable a nature, that Priessnitz was allowed by imperial authority to carry on his establishment, with the addition of the privilege enjoyed by staff surgeons of giving sick certificates to public employés and officers under his care. This state of things was, however, again shortly afterwards disturbed. In 1835, the emperor Francis being dead, fresh intrigues induced the government authorities at Troppau (a town about fifty miles from Gräfenberg) to withdraw the permission Priessnitz had received for giving sick certificates. He was urged to appeal to the higher powers, but declined, saying—“The matter must right itself,” and steadily refused giving sick certificates, even to foreign officers. These complained, through their ambassadors, to the authorities at Vienna; and for them, Priessnitz’s power of granting certificates was restored. The Austrian officers and employés being still excluded, also exerted themselves through friends in the capital; and the matter was, in the end, satisfactorily arranged.
In 1843, the Prussian government, doubtless under medical influence, forbade all officers or employés proceeding to any hydropathic establishment out of Prussia, unless expressly recommended by their medical advisers.
The greatest difficulty in obtaining passports to the Hygiean temple is also encountered by the Russian Poles. It has been observed by many from both these countries who, nevertheless, reached Gräfenberg, that their medical men strongly recommended their not going to Priessnitz, and willingly gave certificates for any other establishment, even though in a foreign country.
For thirty years, although all publications against Priessnitz and the Water-cure were tolerated in the Austrian dominions, none in favour of either were permitted. But, as though willing to do tardy justice and urged on by public opinion, in July, 1845, the Vienna Gazette inserted a favourable article on both subjects.
From the age of seven to twenty-one, Priessnitz was in constant attendance on his blind father; and on that account, escaped the liability of being drawn as a soldier. Early in life he married a distant relation of his own name, daughter of the Schulz or chief magistrate of Bömishdorf, who was by trade a miller. He has had nine children, of whom six daughters and one son are living. The first-born, a sickly boy, died of apoplexy. When taken ill, the wife and relations insisted on having a physician from Nicholasdorf: this was at the commencement of Priessnitz’s career, and he reluctantly yielded. He has since said he would not have given way, had he imagined the doctor could have killed the child so soon, for a powerful medicine being administered, death was the almost immediate result. Priessnitz supposes it was calomel. Whatever it was, it produced spasms and death.
This was a severe lesson to Mrs. Priessnitz, who since that event has left the treatment of her children entirely to her husband.
As has been said, the various manipulations which now form so complete a system, were gradually introduced just as Priessnitz became aware of their necessity and had experience of their effect.
Finding that pain was relieved by natural perspiration, he instituted the sweating process by covering the patients up well in bed. Some time later he improved on this, by introducing the blankets. On a patient becoming faint, whilst under the process, he found that opening the windows to admit fresh air, and washing the face, afforded relief, and ordered it with equal advantage generally. At first he sponged the throat, then the chest, and gradually the whole body; finding the extension of this practice most beneficial in every case, he ventured on the tepid (i. e. 62° Fahr.) bath and ultimately the plunge or cold bath.
The relief afforded by local bandages to the finger, arm, leg, and other parts of the body afflicted with pain, or to which he wished to attract the vicious juices, suggested the use of the waist bandage, which he found fulfilled many useful purposes, especially in relieving pain in the abdomen, feverishness, and restlessness, and also in bringing the abdominal functions into a healthy state.
Satisfied of the benefit derived from local cold bandages, he thought they might be extended over the whole of the surface of the body; and this originated the wet sheet, which supersedes the lancet by relieving the overcharged system of heat, and is the most powerful sedative known. It has gradually superseded the sweating process, though not in all cases. Priessnitz recommended the weaker patients to remain in the blanket only a sufficient time to get thoroughly warm; but they, thinking to accelerate a cure, sometimes remained in it too long, and fainted from exhaustion—a reason assigned for confining his treatment more especially to the wet sheet.
In chronic cases, which resisted the application of bandages, tepid and cold baths, he long tried local baths, to cause internal excitement and reaction; thence arose the hip, arm, foot, and head baths, which were generally successful: but in some obstinate cases, where they were not so, Priessnitz wished for a more powerful agent, and hit upon the douche, to which his attention was drawn by reflecting on the benefit he had received by pumping on his sprained wrist.
The rubbing sheet is a much later addition, being an improvement on rubbing with wet hands, or using sponges. It is a means of rousing latent heat, and administering an ablution to delicate persons, who could not endure an immersion in the bath.
This combination of novel and invaluable appliances will effect any purpose attempted by the pharmacopœia. In fact, so complete and efficacious is the system, that it may justly be termed a science putting into the shade all hygeian discoveries from the days of Hippocrates to the present time.
“Notwithstanding there are several defects in point of beauty, and a sternness of outline in almost every feature,” there is something in the whole expression of Priessnitz’s countenance peculiarly pleasing as well as striking; and one reads there kindness of heart as well as firmness and decision.
Among all his neighbours, his character stands deservedly high. From his infancy, he has been a pattern of sobriety and virtue, a good Christian, kind neighbour, an excellent husband and father; ever prompt to acts of benevolence and, though secretly, to acts of charity. Poverty deprives no invalid of his succour. Many, for months together, enjoy the hospitality of his table, and benefit by his advice, who have no means of making any pecuniary return. Indeed, Priessnitz never demands a fee, nor complains if none be given. Nevertheless, he has become rich by the exercise of prudence and economy.
It is worthy of record, that he never wrote a line or caused anything to be inserted in newspapers on the subject of his discoveries, or employed any of the means of publicity usually resorted to make known his establishment; yet this is frequented by denizens of all nations, and his fame extends to the antipodes.
When the author went to Gräfenberg in 1841, there seemed a deficiency of English; of whom he found but three. There were members of every grade of society from the crowned head to the beggar, all submitting themselves to Priessnitz’s directions.
Anxious to make my countrymen acquainted with a system which had benefited thousands, and from which I had personally derived great advantage, immediately on my return home I published a work suggested by my visit to Gräfenberg, which proved to be actually the first that had appeared in England on the subject. Many English were thus induced to undertake a journey to see Priessnitz, and several books shortly afterwards came out, attesting the writer’s high opinion of his skill, with their faith in the efficacy of his method. The number of English pilgrims to the Hygeian temple increased; and it is at present one of their favorite resorts. In 1848, a letter numerously signed was sent to America, and was inserted in the New York Tribune.
“To the Editor of the Tribune.
“Sir, Gräfenberg, 14th August, 1849.
“The undersigned, desirous to alleviate suffering, and to promote the health and comfort of human beings, wish to call attention to the Water-cure as practised by Vincent Priessnitz. Not a particle of medicine is ever administered in any form or quantity. No bleeding, blistering, or leeching is ever employed.
“It is not pretended that the Water-cure is a universal specific for all diseases; but there are sufficient facts to prove that all diseases curable, and many incurable by any known means, can be healed by a proper application of the Water-cure, which the following cases will demonstrate.
“Count Mitrowski, an Austrian nobleman, aged fifty-four, who had long been afflicted with gout, and whose name we are permitted to use, was found insensible in his bed in an apoplectic fit. Some medical men were quickly in attendance and Priessnitz was sent for. The professional men considered the Count past recovery; and one of them said that he would throw his drugs away and become an hydropathist if this patient was restored. It was proposed by some to bleed the invalid, to which Priessnitz objected, if he was to bear any part of the responsibility. So far gone was the patient, and so nearly extinct did vitality appear, that a priest administered the extreme unction, and according to the custom of the country, a lighted candle was placed in each hand of the apparently dead man. By cold water treatment alone under the sagacious direction of Priessnitz, this gentleman recovered consciousness on the third day, drove out in a phaeton on the fourth, and gradually returned to his former habits.
“The only son of a Sovereign Prince, aged three years, suffered for fifteen months from chronic obstruction of the bowels, which baffled the skill of his medical attendants, and resulted in total atrophy. For twenty-seven days the child had had no relief, when, by the physician’s advice, Priessnitz was called in. He saw the child; and at his suggestion the Prince and his family came here, in order that Priessnitz might daily superintend the treatment. In a few days the disease yielded to the water-cure, and at the end of three months, the child returned quite well.
“A lady of rank suffered severely from frequent head-aches, cramp in the stomach, indigestion, and other maladies, which cannot here be particularised. She constantly threw up her food, even whilst in the act of eating, and could not have the slightest relief without medicine, and even then had great pain and difficulty. She had been under medical treatment for fourteen years, during which time she consulted fourteen eminent physicians. In little more than a year under the Water-cure, she was restored to perfect health.
“A gentleman had one of the worst attacks of small-pox, complicated with measles. From the fact of his vomiting blood any medical man will judge of the malignity of the disease.
“In a fortnight he was out of doors; and in four weeks all traces of the disease were rapidly disappearing.
“Here is one case of a gentleman advanced in life and long an invalid,—another of a tender infant,—a third of a lady,—a fourth of a person labouring under what is generally considered a fatal disease, and all restored.
“The undersigned trust you will kindly insert this statement, which they are impelled to offer from a desire to make known to others the benefit derivable from a system in the efficacy of which, as well as in the sagacity and skill of its founder Priessnitz they have the fullest confidence, and to which, humanly speaking, some of them owe their lives, and are,
“Sir,
“Your most obedient servants,
“P.S.—We, the undersigned, cannot vouch for the exactitude of each particular in the four cases, related above, not having been at Gräfenberg during their occurrence; but we are happy to state our conviction and experience to be fully in favor of this mode of treatment.
| E. Hallman, M. D., Berlin | R. L. Jones, Luton, Bedfordshire |
| Peter Wilson, Writer to the Signet, Scotland | A. J. Colvin, Albany, N. Y. |
| Horatio Greenhough, U. S. | A. F. Webster, R. N., Battle Abbey, Sussex |
| A. Schrotterick, M. D., Norway | W. Cybulvo, M. D., Prague |
| Francisco Bazan, de la Province de Seville en Espana, M. D. | Dr. Hempin, Prussia |
| J. M. Gutterieg Estrada, late Plenipotentiary | W. Murray, Monaghan, Ireland |
| to the Court of London, from Mexico | W. S. Ellis, Middle Temple, London |
| C. M. Mecker, America | T. H. Cohen, London” |
In 1845 a work of a very different tendency appeared, which, though approving of the hydropathic treatment in itself, denounced Priessnitz’s application of it, and calumniated him personally in the most unwarrantable and groundless manner. The author was R. H. Graham, M. D.; and so unpardonable was his attack on Priessnitz that it drew forth the following letter.
“To the Editor of the London Times,
“Gräfenberg, 2nd February, 1845.
“Sir.—We, the undersigned British and Americans, who have resided here for periods varying from three months to two years and upwards, and who consequently have had ample opportunities of acquiring correct information, deem it our duty publicly to assert that a work, entitled ‘A true Report of the Water-cure, by Robert Hay Graham, M.D.’ abounds in gross exaggerations, mis-statements, and calumnies respecting Priessnitz. It would lengthen this document too much to go into a detailed repetition of all those portions of Dr. Graham’s work which we could contradict; we therefore refrain from noticing any in particular: it will be sufficient to say, that from personal observations, we can deny several of Dr. Graham’s allegations, and, from information upon which we can rely, we are convinced that many more are totally devoid of foundation.
“We have seen a letter dated January 15th, 1845, from Captain Wollf, whom Dr. Graham gives as his authority for some of his most unfounded assertions, and to whom he dedicates his book; and we beg attention to the following extracts from that letter.
“‘I not only’ says Captain Wolff, ‘was a passionate Hydropathist, but am still, to this day, known as an out-and-out one ... the information which I gave Dr. Graham, concerned solely the scientific part of the Water-cure, and could not, of course, be otherwise than favourable; I being, as above stated, an Hydropathist. With regard to the wretched stuff you allude to, as to whether Mr. and Mrs. P. drink wine or grog, whether Miss J. S. and other English ladies were treated with or without clothes, the tiresome story about Munde, or whether the Princess L. did or did not employ the Water-cure, with such like, I have never concerned myself; for I lived at Gräfenberg exclusively for the Water-cure.’
“Thus does Dr. Graham’s principal witness fail him! It is only necessary to add, that we do not place the least reliance on any of Dr. Graham’s statements. We are led to say thus much from regard to truth, and from esteem for a great and good man, who has been basely vilified.
“In our opinion Priessnitz, from long practice, varied experience, and close observation, guided by his extraordinary genius, has acquired so intimate a knowledge of the action of water, of its dangers and advantages as regards the human body, both in health and disease, that the most delicate invalid may safely rely on his judgment; and in this opinion we are sustained by the fact of his great success in the treatment of almost every variety of disease, which surpasses that of any physicians on record. The patients who seek his aid may be divided, with few exceptions, into two classes:—those who by medical men have been pronounced incurable; and those, whose diseases are the result of medical treatment: and, out of the large number whom he yearly treats, it would be absurd to expect that he should never lose one. But we cannot believe that the Water-cure is the best remedy for disease, without also believing that he, its discoverer, is the best practitioner of it; and to convince us to the contrary would require somewhat stronger and more unexceptionable testimony than that of Dr. Graham. From the portrait which Dr. Graham draws of Priessnitz, one who did not know him, would be apt to imagine him as full of assumption and Charlatanism, whereas he is as far from either as any man; being as remarkable for his simplicity and truth, as for a native modesty and unassuming propriety of demeanour, which, combined with his kindliness of heart, win respect and regard from almost all who approach him. Requesting that you will do us the favour to give insertion to this letter, We are, Sir, Your obedient Servants,
| Lichfield (The Earl of) | Horatio Greenough, U.S. |
| E. H. Tracey (The Hon.) | W. D’Arley |
| W. S. Ellis, Temple | John Gibbs |
| Richard L. Jones | William Murray |
| Gretton Bright | Andrew J. Colvin, U.S. |
| Augustus Blair (Capt.) | Alonzo Draper, U.S. |
| J. H. O. Moore (Capt.) | G. Pietsch |
| Thomas Smithell, M.A. | James Hamilton |
| Andrew B. Mills | Henry J. Robinson |
| C. Sewell | C. H. Meeker, U.S.” |
If Dr. Graham’s object was to injure Priessnitz, it was, unquestionably thoroughly defeated; for his fame continued to increase, and at the end of the same year, Gräfenberg was honoured by a visit from the Archduke Charles, heir apparent to the imperial crown of Austria, who treated Priessnitz with the greatest consideration, and shewed great interest in the Hydropathic treatment. On his arrival, an address was presented to him, numerously signed by the visitors at Gräfenberg, and presented by—
| Don I. M. Estrada, Ex-Minister | Baron A. D. Lotzbeck, Chamberlain |
| from Mexico to London | to the King of Bavaria |
| Count Cyacki, Grand Marshal of Poland. | Capt. Moore, 35th Regt. |
| Count Shaffgatch, Chamberlain | F. La. Moile, Ex-Consul de France. |
| to the King of Prussia |
The Archduke seemed much pleased with it; and as it was a novelty in Germany, where addresses are unknown, we think a translation may be interesting to our readers.
Address presented to Archduke Franz Carl, at Gräfenberg, October 4th, 1845.
“We, the undersigned natives of various countries, enjoying here the hospitality and protection of a paternal government, hasten to take advantage of the propitious occasion offered by the presence of your Imperial and Royal Highness, to lay our homage at your feet. How could we fail to evince the sentiments of gratitude which we entertain towards your illustrious house, for the favour it has deigned to grant for the development of a system, which has produced such happy results on ourselves, on that around us, and on the thousands of invalids who have preceded us. The protection of Government having been extended to the establishment at Gräfenberg and Freiwaldau, your Royal and Imperial Highness has judged it not unworthy to see with your own eyes the marvellous effects of a treatment, which gradually spreading over the universe, will preserve the human race from the double curse of intemperance and disease. For this condescension we tender our thanks. In all times and in all countries the use of cold water as a curative means has been acknowledged. The great physicians of past ages already had recourse to it. Travellers relate singular cures effected by its means amongst even the most savage tribes. In recent times we occasionally see light feebly penetrating through the darkness of prejudice and routine, and revealing the neglected virtues of this simple gift of nature; but these facts remaining isolated, the germs of such a noble discovery had hitherto always remained undeveloped. It was reserved to the soil of Austria to give birth to the immortal author of a system which can already rank among the sciences. Priessnitz, a simple farmer, in a poor and retired hamlet, obeying only the promptings of his genius, has triumphed over all obstacles, and, still young, has marched with a rapid step towards the destiny of great men. Relying solely on observation and experience, he realised truths which the science of ages could not reveal. The fame of his marvellous cures resounded at first in the immediate neighbourhood: but his star always rising and never vacillating, at last ended by shining throughout the world. Invalids from the most remote countries hastened in great numbers to submit themselves implicitly to his directions. Many disciples of medicine even hesitated not to throw aside their prejudice, and become enlightened by his discoveries. His cottage became the refuge of suffering humanity, his hamlet the seat of a new doctrine; still, far from being intoxicated with so much success and such unexpected good fortune, Priessnitz has in no way deviated from his original simplicity and primitive manners. His greatest ambition is the accomplishment of the laborious task he has imposed on himself; his sweetest recompence the affection and veneration of all who surround him. We know not which to admire most, the rare genius of this gifted man, or the firmness and modesty which characterise him. Guided by gratitude, and the admiration we feel for the Hydropathic system and its origination, we have ventured to present this humble address to your Imperial and Royal Highness, trusting that the visit of such an enlightened Prince will be a good augury for the further dev[e]lopment and extension of the curative system from which we have ourselves experienced such happy results.”
In the ensuing summer a most flattering testimony was decreed to Priessnitz by the Emperor of Austria. It was a gold medal (called a Verdienst Medaille or medal of merit), and was presented to him by the Governor of Troppau, on the 7th of July, 1846, at the altar, with great ceremony, in the very church in which he had been formerly denounced. Shortly after, an incident occurred which had nearly deprived the world of this great man: this was the marriage of his eldest daughter, then only seventeen, to an Hungarian nobleman of large fortune. The young couple started for Hungary; and Priessnitz, on taking leave of them, was observed to be much affected. Later in the day, whilst visiting his patients, he found it difficult to lift one hand to his head. He hurried home, where he hardly arrived when he was suddenly struck with general paralysis, and was quite insensible. His attendants resorted to his own remedies, he was placed in a tepid bath and rubbed by four persons for nearly two hours before he began to regain his senses, when he ordered the tepid water to be changed for cold; and he has since been heard to say, the former would not have been attended with sufficient reaction, and consequently would not have had the desired effect. He now ordered his own treatment and recovered in a few days; his health was afterwards re-established by a fortnight’s visit to his daughter in Hungary.
A few months since he was rejoiced by the birth of a son. This event conferred great happiness on him; for, as may be remembered, his first-born whom he lost was a son, and all his other children until the last, were daughters.
It is to be hoped, that Providence will spare his valuable life to see his son grow up, so that he may initiate him experimentally in the theory of Hydropathy, which can never be perfectly disseminated in any other way.
Several monuments and fountains erected at Gräfenberg, testify the admiration and respect in which Priessnitz is held. The English and the Hamburghers are at present engaged in erecting similar testimonies. The latter have placed his bust in the Exchange at Hamburg.
Judging from the strides Hydropathy is making, it is fair to conclude that in the course of time these examples will be followed by every nation in the world.[1]