The uses of water in health and disease

by John Harvey Kellogg

J. H. K.

Battle Creek, Mich., Sept., 1876.

CONTENTS.

		Page.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER,		[9]
	Chemical Composition,	[9]
	Physical Properties,	[10]
	Pure Water,	[11]
	Hard Water,	[12]
	Mineral Water,	[12]
	Magnetic Water,	[13]
HYGIENIC RELATIONS OF WATER,		[15]
	Structure of the Skin,	[15]
	The True Skin,	[15]
	The Cuticle, or Epidermis,	[16]
	The Sweat Glands,	[17]
	The Mucous Membranes,	[17]
	Functions of the Skin,	[18]
	Functions of the Mucous Membranes,	[20]
	The Hygienic Value of Water,	[21]
	Thirst,	[22]
	Regulation of Temperature by Evaporation,	[24]
	Depuration,	[25]
	Cleanliness,	[25]
	How to Make the Skin Healthy,	[27]
	Bathing Protects against Colds,	[28]
	Aristocratic Vermin,	[29]
	Prevention of Disease,	[31]
	Modern Neglect of the Bath,	[32]
	Bathing a Natural Instinct,	[33]
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF WATER,		[35]
	Water as a Diluent,	[35]
	Effects of Solvent Properties of Water,	[36]
	Vital Changes Increased by Water,	[36]
	Effects Resulting from the Modification of Temperature,	[38]
	The Cold Bath,	[38]
	Effect of Cold upon the Pulse,	[40]
	Effect of Cold upon Bodily Temperature,	[40]
	Rationale of Effects of the Cold Bath,	[41]
	The Hot Bath,	[43]
	Rationale of Effects of the Hot Bath,	[44]
	The Warm Bath,	[46]
	Sympathetic Effects of Baths,	[47]
	Modes of Administration of the Bath,	[48]
HISTORY OF WATER CURE,		[49]
	The Bath in Egypt,	[49]
	Bathing among the Jews,	[50]
	Persian Baths,	[50]
	The Bath among the Greeks,	[50]
	Roman Baths,	[51]
	Testimony of Arabian Physicians,	[53]
	Modern Bathing Customs,	[53]
	Modern Medical Use of Water,	[55]
REMEDIAL PROPERTIES,		[59]
	Refrigerant Effects of Water,	[59]
	Sedative Effects of Water,	[60]
	Tonic Effects of Water,	[60]
	Anodyne Effects of Water,	[60]
	Antispasmodic Effects of Water,	[61]
	Astringent Effects of Water,	[61]
	Laxative Effects of Water,	[61]
	Emetic Effects of Water,	[61]
	Eliminative Effects of Water,	[61]
	Alterative Effects of Water,	[61]
	Derivative Effects of Water,	[62]
	Testimony of Eminent Physicians,	[62]–70
ERRORS IN WATER CURE,		[71]
	Cold Water Doctors,	[71]
	Heroic Treatment,	[72]
	Crisis,	[74]
	Hydropathic Quacks,	[75]
	Ignorance among Hydropathists,	[75]
	A Popular Error,	[76]
	Absurd Claims,	[77]
	Neglect of Other Remedies,	[78]
	Rational Hydropathy,	[78]
APPLICATIONS OF WATER,		[79]
	Equalization of Circulation,	[79]
	Regulation of Temperature,	[80]
	Removal of Pain,	[81]
	To Excite Activity,	[81]
	Removal of Obstructions,	[82]
	Dilution of the Blood,	[82]
	Influence on the Nervous System,	[82]
	Temperature of Baths,	[83]
	How to Determine the Temperature of a Bath without a Thermometer,	[85]
	Rules for Bathing,	[87]–94
	General Baths,	[94]
	Swimming,	[95]
	Plunge Bath,	[95]
	Sponge Bath,	[96]
	Rubbing Wet-Sheet,	[98]
	Wet-Sheet Pack,	[101]
	Shower Pack,	[105]
	Dry Sheet Pack,	[107]
	Full Bath,	[107]
	Half Bath,	[109]
	Shallow Bath,	[109]
	Standing Shallow,	[110]
	Affusion,	[111]
	Pail Douche,	[111]
	Cataract Douche,	[112]
	Hose Douche,	[113]
	Shower Bath,	[113]
	Spray Bath,	[114]
	Local Baths,	[115]
	Sitz Bath,	[116]
	Leg Bath,	[118]
	Foot Bath,	[118]
	Half Pack,	[119]
	Chest Pack,	[120]
	Leg Pack,	[120]
	Chest Wrapper,	[121]
	Wet Girdle,	[122]
	Ascending Douche,	[123]
	Drop Bath,	[123]
	Arm Bath,	[124]
	Head Bath,	[124]
	Eye Bath,	[125]
	Ear Bath,	[127]
	Nose Bath,	[127]
	Compresses,	[128]
	Fomentations,	[131]
	Refrigerant Applications,	[133]
	Miscellaneous Baths,	[136]
	Vapor Bath,	[136]
	Russian Bath,	[138]
	Hot-Air Bath,	[139]
	Turkish Bath,	[140]
	Electric Bath,	[141]
	Electro-Vapor Bath,	[143]
	Dry Rubbing-Sheet,	[143]
	Dry Hand-Rubbing,	[144]
	Air Bath,	[144]
	Sun Bath,	[145]
	Sea-Bathing,	[146]
	Medicated Baths,	[147]
	Oil Bath,	[147]
	Novel Baths,	[149]
	Mud Bath,	[149]
	Earth Bath,	[149]
	Enema,	[149]
	Water Emetic,	[151]
	Dry Hot Applications,	[151]
	Water-Drinking,	[153]
	How to Make a Filter,	[154]

IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.

Water is one of the most abundant elements in nature. As rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans, it covers three-fourths of the earth’s surface. It even enters largely into the formation of the solid rocks. The clearest and purest air contains it in large quantities as an invisible gas; while in clouds, fogs, and mists, it appears in the form of minute drops.

Water also forms a very considerable part of all vegetable productions, and constitutes about three-fourths of the human body, as well as other animal tissues. The blood and the brain are each about four-fifths water, while the fluid secretions and excretions contain more than nine-tenths of their weight of this limpid fluid.