122 THE MICROSCOPE. Aug. 



fever. No harm has ever been done, and neither is it 

 likely to be so caused. Several hundred cases have been 

 so deluged by me with large quantities of water, and in 

 no instance has the result failed to be beneficial. The 

 fear of doing harm may be entirely and forever dis- 

 missed. That which is not well understood by anyone, 

 always seems inconvenient, or troublesome to perform. 

 But a little practice makes easy the methods which a 

 little while before appeared unpleasant, even hard. 



The temperature of the water used for cleansing and 

 washing the bowels, should always depend upon the 

 temperature of the body. If there is high fever the 

 water is more agreeable and useful to the patient when 

 it is cool, viz.: 75 degrees; but if the patient is chilly, 

 or has a low temperature, the water should be at blood 

 heat, nearly 100 degrees. During the first week of ill- 

 ness, the irrigation of the bowels should occur in the 

 morning and again in the evening of each day. After 

 this, one douche of water should be given each day until 

 convalescent. The co-operation of the patient is readily 

 accorded. The treatment takes hold of his reason, which 

 lends both hope and help to the management of the case. 



Bathing the body is performed at regular intervals 

 and by such a system as may be convenient and suitable 

 to the individual. The bathtub may be used when the 

 patient is strong enough to be assisted to it, where 

 otherwise, sponging with cold water is very refreshing, 

 and useful to maintain strength and lower the heat of 

 the body. 



The most efi'ective and most lasting influence is se- 

 cured by wrapping the patient in a wet sheet. Two 

 blankets are spread on the bed, covered with a sheet wet 

 with cold water. The patient is wrapped in the sheet,- 

 and then folded quickly and completely in the blankets. 

 The time during which the sick one may remain in the 

 wet pack is from one half to one hour, or even longer if 



