Every Man His Own Doctor / The Cold Water, Tepid Water, and Friction-Cure, as Applicable to Every Disease to Which the Human Frame Is Subject, and Also to the Cure of Disease in Horses and Cattle

by R. T. Claridge

XXXIX.—Congestion of the Lungs.

When the lungs are unsound sitz-baths are liable to cause a pain to be felt in that region, probably from causing congestion to them. I knew a case of this kind, and named it to Priessnitz who said, to have relieved this the patient should have been put into a very shallow tepid-bath, water two inches deep, and there rubbed by two men until the pain was removed.

In a case of Gout treated by an inexperienced person—where fears were entertained that congestion had taken place and castor oil was resorted to—he advised the same bath and friction, until it was removed.

A third case, where after being some time under the treatment a practitioner was embarrassed by his patient having fixed pain in his bowels, Priessnitz said, the bath applied with vigour for a considerable time would have been sure of removing it.

If a patient is ever lost in these cases, it is through the want of knowledge and the timidity of the practitioner.