THE DOUCHE-BATH. 413 



of coarse quality is folded four double, which leaves it large enough 

 to encircle the trunk of the body from the armpits down. Two 

 thicknesses of the sheet, to come next to the^ body, are wet in cold 

 water, or the whole of the sheet, according to the case. In a host 

 of painful ailments, such as pleurisy, inflammation of the lungs, 

 inflammation of the bowels, colic, cholera, cholera-morbus, rheuma- 

 tism, painful menstruation, after-pains, etc,, etc., this is the most 

 valuable application. Often this remedy, which can be applied in 

 a minute, as it were, will soothe a patient quickly to sleep, while 

 without it a night of agony would be his lot. One advantage, too, 

 of this appliance is, that if a patient is too weak to rise, the sheet 

 may be opened in front so that fresh water may, when needed, be 

 sprinkled upon it and wet towels may be added under it, upon the 

 abdomen if necessary. 



THE DOUCHE-BATH. 



This is the most powerful, but not the most useful, of all 

 hydropathic appliances. A common douche consists of a stream 

 of Water from one to two inches in diameter, with a fall of ten, 

 fifteen or twenty feet. But douches may be arranged of any 

 desirable size and height. 



This remedy is useful in paralysis, stiff joints, gout, rheuma- 

 tism, tumors and old swellings of various kinds. Those who have 

 weak lungs, stomach or other abdominal organs, should not resort 

 to the douche without the best of medical advice. 



SHOWER-BATH. 



This is also one of the more powerful of the hydropathic appli- 

 ances, and needs judgment in its use. It consists, in fact, of a vast 

 number, of small streams or douches, and hence is a powerful 

 refrigerant as well as excitant to the system. It should never be 

 taken upon the head, especially if the water has any considerable 

 force, or fall from any considerable height, for the reason that the 

 head should never be subjected to mechanical force. It is useful 

 in some cases to commence this bath only upon the limbs for a time 

 at first. 



CATARACT-BATH. 



This is also one of the more powerful of the hydropathic pro- 

 cesses, and is to be classed with the two preceding baths. Like 

 those, it may be said to be stimulant, tonic and alterative, while it is 

 also highly sedative so far as animal heat is concerned. 



HOSE-BATH. 



Through the modern improvements in India-rubber, gutta 

 percha, leather, etc., it is easy, wherever there is a small fall or 



