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

On feeling the slightest sensation of gout, he should instantly be put into a tepid bath, 62 deg., replenished with cold water, and be therein rubbed for a couple of hours.

This gentleman’s general health is perfect: he very seldom has any attacks, and they are slight; but the calcareous deposit in his knees, up to the present, resists all attempts at removal.

Acute attack of Gout.—A patient being attacked with gout was put into a tepid bath, 68 deg., up to the neck, and rubbed by himself and two men. By particular injunctions, the process was not to be discontinued until all pain subsided. The original temperature of the bath was maintained by fresh supplies of cold water. In seven hours the patient was completely relieved. His after-treatment was:—

Morning, packing-sheet and plunge-bath, bandage round the waist and on part afflicted; at noon, douche, and afterwards a rubbing-sheet; afternoon, rubbing-sheet; the simplest food. On a return of the acute attack, patient was ordered to perform the bath operation again; but, not persevering in remaining seven hours in the bath, the attack was not overcome: the patient was then ordered cold bath every morning before breakfast (temperature kept always as cold as possible), from fifteen to twenty minutes, which effected the cure. This patient was allowed a little weak chocolate, and was ordered to drink abundantly of water.

A—— had a most violent attack at Gräfenberg, for which he was put up to his neck into a tepid bath, 64 deg., and there rubbed by two men for seven hours. Priessnitz gave particular orders that the patient should not leave the bath until all pain had completely subsided. Cold water was frequently added, to keep that in the bath at the original temperature. By these means the attack was completely subdued. Daily treatment:—

Morning, packing-sheet and cold plunge-bath; bandage to be applied to parts affected; noon, douche, and sitz-bath, fifteen minutes; afternoon, as in the morning.

Instructions:—Eat plain food; and in case of a return of gout, faithfully perform the first operation.

Gout in the Foot and Ankle.—A lady awoke in the morning with pain in her foot and ankle, which were both swollen.

Treatment.—Packing-sheet for an hour, followed by a rubbing-sheet; after which a foot-bath, up to the instep, for a quarter of an hour; and the foot and leg, up to the knee, well rubbed all the time.

Bandages were then applied from the toes to the knee.