Lumbago or Rick in the Back.—A young man woke early in the morning with a most excruciating pain in his loins. He could not determine whether it was simply Lumbago, or a Rick in the back, brought on from playing at skittles or chopping wood the day before.
Priessnitz had him turned on his stomach, his back rubbed for an hour with wet hands, and then covered with a bandage.
The Rubbing was to be repeated every four hours, and the bandage changed every two hours.
The patient was to remain lying on his stomach the whole day and night if not cured. The reason for this must be evident to those who reflect upon it. Cured the same day.
Violent attack of Lumbago, supposed to have been brought on by using the dumb-bells; the party being unaccustomed to their use.
Patient had rubbing with wet hands, and wearing a bandage for two days, when he could hardly rise from a chair; then he commenced the following treatment:—
Saturday.—Morning, packing-sheet for an hour, followed by three rubbing-sheets; noon, two rubbing-sheets and an Enema; night, a rubbing-sheet. This was not renewed at night, as patient’s extremities were cold and prevented his sleeping.
Sunday.—Four rubbing-sheets; after this operation, the improvement was almost miraculous. Patient took a long walk.
Monday.—Treatment as yesterday; could turn in bed with less difficulty.
Tuesday.—Packing-sheet forty minutes, preceded by a tepid-bath sixteen minutes, with great friction; noon, four rubbing-sheets; evening, loins rubbed with wet hands for half-an-hour.