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

XXXVII.—Affection of the Throat and Pain at the Chest.

A delicate lady, aged twenty-five: morning, packing-sheet until warm and tepid bath; noon, rubbing-sheet and sitz-bath; afternoon, rubbing-sheet.

After a few days’ treatment, catamenia came on, notwithstanding which, as patient experienced no inconvenience, the treatment was continued as before. In two days, pain in the abdomen and hips was felt. All the previous treatment was now discontinued, and three rubbing-sheets a day were prescribed, until pain ceased, when it was again resumed.

Throat, and pain at the chest, were cured in six weeks, and patient had gained eight pounds in weight.

This lady thought she had an affection of the heart. Priessnitz enquired if she felt pain there: she answered no. “Then,” said he, “the heart is sound.” Three years ago, catamenia lasted only five days, but latterly it extended to seven. Priessnitz said, with her it ought only to last three or four days. This was effected. Her husband, who had occasional attacks of bile, gained nine pounds in six weeks. I attended the weighing of these parties, and can vouch for the fact.