When people live in an impure atmosphere, and in cases in which the constitution has been weakened by improper diet, bad air, inattention to the skin, and other exhausting causes, medicine alone, in my opinion, can never remove the evil. If purgatives are constantly given, constipation is sure to increase. I invariably find that the favourite dinner pill, and the morning tonic, and the daily purge, never fail to be regularly taken without great inconvenience in the end. I admit, that alkalies will counteract acidity, vegetable and mineral tonics will aid the digestion, carminatives will remove flatulency; and there are, no doubt, occasions when their administration is absolutely necessary. In the large metropolis of London, it often happens, that most important business must be transacted in a very limited space of time; and a person suffering from any disordered function must have temporary relief. Here it is justifiable to have recourse to such remedial agencies; but to persist in them for months, and even for years, is little short of madness.

There are many patients who suffer from an inveterate form of indigestion, who purchase largely for wholesale houses; and, unless they are possessed of great strength of purpose, it is almost impossible to cure them. The merchants from whom they buy are constantly tempting them to commit irregularities in diet, which it is difficult for them to resist, until at length their health gives way, and they are scarcely able to pursue their calling. I have often advised such patients change of air and seabathing, and have strictly enjoined for them a dietetic rule. This latter direction has been so neglected, and the benefit which I have expected to result has so seldom followed, that I now recommend them to one of the many hydropathic establishments. They cannot there eat indigestible food, for it is not provided; they cannot

indulge to excess in tobacco, because smoking is forbidden; they cannot drink wine, spirits, or beer, because these are not allowed; and they have, moreover, all the advantages which the invigorating influence of cold bathing is so well calculated to afford.

Sixteen years ago, opportunities presented themselves to me of observing the virtues of the water-cure. I was at that time no believer in its efficacy. But a few months' sojourn in Germany was quite sufficient to convince me that the system possessed some important advantages; and careful observation since has not tended to shake the opinion which I then formed. I am perfectly aware of the benefits to be derived from the inhalation of pure air, regular exercise, a suitable and well-directed system of diet, and thorough cleanliness of skin; and that these have as much, if not more, to do with the improvements which take place in the health under this treatment, than perhaps the purely hydropathic practitioner will feel disposed to admit.

Having already dwelt upon the advantages of diet, air, exercise, and due attention to the skin, it will be needless to refer further to these most important and essential elements of health. I shall, therefore, now confine myself exclusively to the inquiry, how far the use of cold water, both as an internal and external agent, is capable of preserving the health, and of restoring it when impaired.

If we had any doubt of the value of water, both hot and cold, as a sanitary agent, such doubt would be soon dispelled by examining the writings of the Greek and Roman physicians. These authors inform us, that baths, both hot and cold, were objects which attracted the anxious care and solicitude of the governments of their time. There can be no question that cold water, applied

in accordance with the rules laid down by hydropathy, will be found to modify, in a remarkable manner, the conditions of the human body, both in a state of health and disease.

If we look to one of the most serious, as well as one of the most perplexing diseases to which mankind is subject, we must admit that cold water is possessed of most powerful therapeutical agencies. The effects of cold dashing in arresting and cutting short typhus fever, even of the most malignant description, admits of no dispute. The reports of Dr. Currie, and of other able physicians who have practised this treatment, leave not the slightest room to question the results. It is unnecessary to enter upon all the precautions essential to secure the success of the practice. The object is not a special history, but merely an exposition of the use and abuse of a very powerful curative treatment. The only restrictions, or rather precautions, requisite in the application of cold dashing are, that the temperature of the body should be steadily above the standard of health; that there should be no feeling of chilliness; and the presence of no local affection of an inflammatory, congestive, or organic nature.

Water may be used as well internally as externally in the treatment of disease; and the question of its utility, as a remedy, has afforded matter for discussion in all ages, ever since the time of Hippocrates. Its external use in arresting fever has been already noticed. Its internal use is equally beneficial in the treatment of the same disease. Nature, by exciting certain sensations or feelings in disease, seems to create an appetite or craving, which prompts the sick to seek that which is best calculated to restore health. Thus, the insatiable thirst which attends fever, and the parched tongue which so

constantly prevails in febrile disease, impel the patient, as it were instinctively, to seek for drink; and there is no beverage on such occasions so agreeable as cold water, or so well suited to allay the cravings of thirst.

When there is much febrile heat, patients may drink copiously of cold water, not only with perfect impunity, but with great advantage. It quenches the thirst, reduces the febrile heat, dilutes the blood, and, when it has effected its purpose, passes off through the kidneys, carrying away with it a considerable portion of the morbid heat of the body.

Hydropathy recognises both these uses of cold water, and applies them as means of curing disease. There are various methods of applying cold water externally. Cold dashing has been mentioned. A more manageable method is found in what is termed “cold ablution.”

Cold bathing is another mode, the nature of which is familiar to almost every one. A plunge into the sea is not often resorted to in disease; but it is of very general adoption as a means of improving health, and giving vigour and tone to the system. The sudden transition from hot to cold water is by no means a modern practice. The Romans used to induce or promote perspirations, by confining the body in the warm vapour from hot water; and when active perspiration was brought on, the individuals, while thus freely perspiring, were plunged into cold water. They used, also, when in active perspiration from laborious bodily exercise, to dive in this state into the Tiber, not only without any bad consequences, as we learn from the Roman authors, but with very beneficial effects.

Having thus far stated the general application of water, I shall next consider the hydropathic modes of employing it in the cure of disease, as practised by the disciples of Preisnitz.

One of the first principles of the hydropathic treatment is the regulation of diet. There is a strict embargo laid upon all stimulants. Every stimulating or exciting agent, whether of food, drink, or condiments, is rigidly prohibited. The meals are regular, and the diet is simple, but nutritious, without being irritating o exciting.

Water is next directed to be taken in quantities proportioned to the circumstances of the case. It is generally recommended to some extent before breakfast, and at other suitable periods after and before meals. The imbibition of water is so managed as not to interfere with, or impair, digestion. The exercise, which is arranged to follow immediately after drinking it, tends to prevent any evil consequences that might result from it.

A considerable amount of exercise, and of an active kind, when the patient is in a condition to bear it, is enjoined; and this is not only judicious, but essential to bring on the necessary reaction after the cold bathing.

The methods of applying water externally are the Shallow Bath, the Pack, the Dripping Sheet, the Sitz Bath, the Douche, the Plunge, and the Compress.

The Pack consists in wrapping the patient all round in a wet sheet, and covering him, so enveloped, with blankets, so as to bring on profuse perspiration. In this state he is generally left for an hour; and he not unfrequently falls asleep before the expiration of that period from the soothing and pleasurable sensation which he feels. Few who have not seen or undergone the process, would credit the extent to which perspiration is produced. It not unfrequently happens that several blankets are completely wetted through by the sweating of a person in what is termed the dry pack.

After remaining in the pack an hour, the patient is