422 SPIRIT VAPOR-BATH. 



of the skin, local inflammations or unbalanced nervous action. Foi 

 drug poisoning, scrofula, consumption, skin diseases, dropsy, 

 remittent and intermittent fevers, coughs, colds, catarrh, croup, 

 gout, rheumatism, neuralgia, bronchitis and diseases of the liver 

 and kidneys, it is very eflicient. A cold in the first stages will be 

 broken up by it and alleviation will ensue at any stage. It should 

 be taken about the time the chill is anticipated for ague and be 

 given thoroughly. Few cases resist a third or fourth bath without 

 any other means. There is no equal to it for chronic rheumatism, 

 and for that it may be taken every day, some even have taken it 

 twice a day with great benefit. Cases of long standing have entirely 

 succumbed to this treatment. Nearly all the eruptive diseases are 

 benefited by it. In pregnancy it is also valuable when there is dry- 

 ness of the skin ana coldness of the surface with sensitiveness to 

 cold. Where the pregnant woman has any of the diseases named 

 above, this bath will sometimes be found as efficacious as if she were 

 not enceinte. If a good skillful attendant should attend her and 

 ample time be taken to rest after the bath, no disastrous results 

 need be feared, as the bath may be taken as often as twice a week 

 during the entire time of pregnancy, when it is found to agree. 



SPIRIT-VAPOR BATH. 



This is similar to the Turkish bath, is very powerful in benefi- 

 cent effects upon the whole system, and contributes not a little 

 towards the removal of disease. It is one of the best methods of 

 inducing activity of the vessels of the skin, and was first introduced 

 to the medical profession more than twenty years ago, we believe, 

 by the accomplished Prof. King; since which time, especially, it has 

 been very extensively used as a remedial agent. One of the many 

 advantages of producing perspiration in this way is, that it is 

 unattended by the injurious effects which too often follow the 

 administration of sweat-producing medicine. 



The method of giving this bath is as follows: The patient is 

 to be in a night-shirt or other clothing, to be worn only while sweat- 

 ing and during the night, if the bath is taken at bed-time. He is 

 then seated on a high wood-bottomed chair, or any other, provided 

 care is taken that the bottom is so covered that the flame will not 

 burn him. Then a large blanket is thrown around him from be- 

 hind, covering the back of his head and body as well as the chair, 

 and another passed around him in front, pinned so loosely at the 

 neck that he can put it on or off his face as occasion may require 

 during the bath. The blankets must join each other at the sides and 

 reach the floor, so as to prevent the vapor from passing off. ^hen 

 a cup containing two tablespoonfuls of whisky, or any other 

 spirit that will burn, is placed upon the floor directly under the cen- 

 ter of the chair, and lighted by introducing from behind a piece of 

 burning paper. The liquor is allowed to burn until consumed, and 



