The uses of water in health and disease

by John Harvey Kellogg

“Dr. Currie made use of the cold douche in fevers, applying it vigorously to the patient while in the height of the fever, and continuing it until the temperature became decreased, as indicated by the thermometer and the pulse. He treated seven cases of continued fever by this method at the Liverpool Infirmary. All recovered. In an epidemic of typhoid fever among a regiment of troops, he treated fifty-eight cases, using the cool tepid douche in all but two cases. The latter died. The remaining fifty-six recovered, the disease being greatly shortened in more than half the cases.

“Dr. Currie asserted that, in small-pox, the use of the bath afforded instant relief to the patient, and caused the disease to assume a benignant form.

“He found the cold bath always effectual in tetanus and convulsions, as also in hysteria.

“In temporary insanity from the use of liquor, this acute observer found that the cold plunge was the most efficient remedy for the worst cases.

“But Dr. Currie’s practice was not confined to cold water. He observed that affusion with tepid water was not only a more pleasant application, but that it was even more effectual in reducing unnatural heat than cold water, as it produced no reaction, not being at all stimulating in character.

“With regard to the efficacy of this agent, Dr. Currie stated that by its use in fevers the pulse would be reduced thirty or forty beats, with a corresponding decrease of temperature and almost immediately relief of headache.

“In his second volume, published some six years after his first volume, Dr. Currie declared that although his experience in the use of water, especially in fevers, had been very extensive, he had had only four fatal cases in which water was employed, and had never met with a single evidence of its being in the least degree objectionable or injurious. Neither had he found that it had been thought to be objectionable by those whom he had treated. He details a very interesting account of his treatment of scarlatina in the cases of his two sons, aged, respectively, three and five years. He gave the older, in thirty-two hours, fourteen affusions, varying from cold to tepid. Twelve were found to be sufficient for the younger one. Both became convalescent in three days.

“It was established by Currie that by the use of water the course of typhoid fever may be abbreviated. This is not even claimed for the modern remedies in common use.

“In referring to his own experience in the use of water, Dr. F. remarked, ‘The relation of my own experience will of necessity be stated in a few words, as my employment of the remedy has heretofore been much more limited than it will be in the future if my life is spared.’ He then related some very interesting cases in which he had employed water as the chief remedy with the most excellent success. He also took occasion to recommend, as one of the best means of applying water in fevers, the wet-sheet pack as employed in the various hydropathic institutions of the country. He had used the continued cold pack in a number of the worst cases of sun-stroke in Bellevue Hospital with marked success. This remedy is still employed there in this class of cases.

“In a case of obstinate remittent fever, which was not in the least benefited by the thorough use of quinia, he employed the cool pack thirty-five times in a week, continuing each application from ten to thirty minutes, and always with great relief to the patient, although he finally died [perhaps from the huge doses of quinine previously given]. He expressed the opinion that if he had employed the pack more thoroughly, making the applications longer and more frequent, the patient might have recovered.