414 PAIL-DOUOHE. 



head of water, to arrange what is called a hose-bath. It is in 

 principle a douche, with the additional advantage that it can be 

 made to act upon any part of the body, and from whatever direction 

 we choose. Rightly applied, the hose is a valuable means. 



PAIL-DOUCHE. 



The patient seats himself in an empty, shallow, or other bath- 

 ing tub, and crosses his hands over his chest. As many pails of 

 water as are ordered are then dashed over him suddenly, one after 

 the other, and one before and one behind not poured, but thrown 

 with some force, by first a backward and then a forward motion of 

 the pail ; half the number of pails being then emptied on the back 

 of his folded hands, and half between the shoulders behind. This 

 bath varies in- effect according to the temperature of the water and 

 the amount used. If a number of pails are used and the water 

 is cold, it in effect very nearly resembles the common plunge. 



THE WAVE, OR SLUICE-BATH. 



What is generally called in Germany a wave, but more prop- 

 erly a sluice-b&th, is taken at the sluice-way of an under-shot mill- 

 wheel, or in a similar place. The patient takes hold of a rope or 

 something by which he can maintain his position, and then, lying 

 down, subjects his body to the action of the water. This is, on the 

 whole, a pleasant and agreeable bath, and in its effects somewhat 

 resembles the douche, being, however, milder and safer. The 

 sluice-bath can hardly be said to possess any peculiar advantages. 

 It was not used by Priessnitz, although he did not object to it. 



HALF-BATH. 



This bath may be used as one of the mildest of water-cure pro- 

 cesses, or as one of the most powerful. An ordinary bathing tub 

 is a very good apparatus for the purpose. A good-sized washing 

 tub will answer very well, if there is nothing else at hand. The 

 water is generally quite shallow in this bath from three to six 

 inches. Priessnitz's half-baths were made of wood, four or five 

 feet long, about two and a half feet wide and twenty inches deep. 

 This simple contrivance is one of his most powerful means that 

 by which some of his highest triumphs were achieved. The water is 

 generally used of moderate temperature, at sixty to seventy degrees 

 Fahr., or higher. This bath ma} 7 be used 1st. As a means 

 of cooling the mass of the circulation in the hot stages of fever and 

 inflammatory attacks of every kind. 2d. As a revulsive, or means 

 of reducing congestion or inflammation of the nobler organs, the 

 brain, lungs, stomach, liver, etc. 3d. As a means of resuscitation 

 in the shock of serious accidents, sun-stroke, and before, during or 

 after apoplectic and other fits. In drunkenness and delirium-tremens 



