Four years after I met the Countess again, at Gräfenberg, and was astonished to behold her such a fine, fat, healthy woman. Since being cured she has had three children, one died almost immediately after its birth, the second is a fine child, and for her accouchement of the third, she came to place herself under the care of Priessnitz. She did remarkably well, and left Gräfenberg in perfect health.
I consider this one of the most wonderful cures effected by Priessnitz. Those who saw the complete anatomie vivante, which she was, declared that nothing but a miracle could save her from her early tomb.
HYDROPATHY FOR ANIMALS.
The unspeakable utility of the horse to man in all conditions of life, civilised and uncivilised, has naturally led scientific and professional individuals to devote much anxious consideration to the physiology of the animal, and to the determination of the means of healing the diseases which horse-flesh “is heir to.” Buffon placed the horse next to man in the order of creation; and certainly if the anatomical structure of the equine species be alone regarded, an argument is provided in favor of the consecration of thought and intelligence to the establishment of curative remedies for its disorders. But the service which the noble animal has rendered in all ages and countries where the breed is known—his docility, instinct, patience, and courage, have entitled him to the advantages of human intelligence upon the high ground of gratitude; and, accordingly, for many years past, the veterinary art has been pursued with remarkable zeal and earnestness; the loftiest minds not conceiving the study and practice thereof below their attention. If, however, the attainment of perfection in the faculty of curing the bodily ailments of man is a work of tardy progress, how much slower must be the advancement of a science of posterior introduction? It was but in the last century that the circulation of the blood was discovered, and vaccination introduced; it is only within the last six or seven years that the vast utility of hydropathy has come to be appreciated. There is now, however, less excuse for dilatory improvement in veterinary practice than there was when the alleviation of human suffering was in its infancy. The physiology and pathology of the quadruped being understood, the value of the immediate adoption of the remedies applicable to man is at once determinable by anatomical analogy. Hence the introduction of new systems of treatment has been almost simultaneous, and in very many instances the results have been correspondingly fortunate. Hydropathy is a very remarkable case in point, and the following pages will illustrate its value.
Priessnitz’s precepts recommend themselves as much to the veterinary surgeon as to the medical practitioner; the success of his treatment of the diseased animal being, perhaps, even more easy and certain than of man.
To understand this it will suffice to compare the habits and mode of living of each. A further investigation will account for the general health of untamed animals, and the host of maladies that result from civilisation. On one side all is nature, on the other all is artificial.
As the treatment of the horse or cow at Gräfenberg is not of very frequent occurrence, Priessnitz has not laid down any positive rules for the manipulation; that must therefore depend upon the ingenuity, observation, and experience, of the practitioner.
If, for instance, a horse or cow is attacked with fever, cholic, etc., reference should be made to the treatment of man affected with such complaints. All that has been said on the subject of drugs, the lancet, cold ablutions, and the importance of the skin applies equally to all animals.