It is difficult to account for the fact that Hydropathy was practised at Gräfenberg, and at many other establishments in Germany, and that books on that subject were published in that country, twenty years before it was known in England.
Most works treat upon some familiar subject, and are supported or opposed; but my book on the Water-cure, from its great novelty, placed me in almost as isolated a position at the time, as the publication of Bruce’s Travels did their author.
A gentleman who had been at an establishment in Germany, and who afterwards wrote in favour of the cure, on seeing the review of my work in the Times, addressed me a letter wishing me every success, and saying “that I had put my hand into a hornet’s nest: that I had that day made a hundred thousand enemies.”
These fears, I am happy to say, have not been realised: at least, as far as I know. The leading papers reviewed my work favourably; my lectures in England, Ireland, and Scotland, met with serious attention; and baths and wash-houses resulted from a lecture I gave in Edinburgh.
I have found numbers of persons willing to give the system a trial; but unfortunately, few could spare time to go to Gräfenberg, where it is carried out with safety and success by the immortal Priessnitz.
Though not a medical man, I seldom refused to administer aid when it was asked of me, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that no accident ever attended my operation; on the contrary, my humble endeavours, in every instance, were more or less crowned with success. I am bound, in candour, to say, that from members of the medical profession with whom I have had the honour of becoming acquainted, I have invariably met with the greatest courtesy.
The propagation of any novelty, however useful, is a work of time,—especially when, like Hydropathy, it attacks the deep-rooted prejudices of society, and is opposed to the interests of a host of individuals.
Hydropathy—unlike brandy and salt, mustard-seed, and many other chimeras with which its opponents wished to rank it—is not to be put down. During the short period of eight years, its principles have pervaded all society: we can hardly go into any society that we do not find its advocate. The upper classes drink more water and less wine; the poorer classes are beginning to bathe: for this purpose, baths and wash-houses are open or being erected in most of the metropolitan parishes—or, as it is expected they will pay their own expenses, it is to be hoped they will be provided for the poor in every parish in England.
Hydropathic establishments are now to be found in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and in America; and the practice of the Water-cure has penetrated to the Antipodes. Hardly a week elapses but some work appears on the subject. Messrs. Abdy’s “Diseases Cured by Cold Water;” Sir Eardley Wilmot’s “Tribute to the Water-cure;” Col. Dundas’ work, “To the Halt, Lame, and Lazy;” Mr. Lane’s “Life at the Watercure;” Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton’s “Confessions of a Water-drinker,” are amongst those of the non-medical productions.