CHOLERA. 429 



seems much exhausted the remedy should be avoided entirely and 

 friction substituted. The benefit derived from the cold-bath in con- 

 vulsive diseases depends on its being used in the* paroxysms of con- 

 vulsion; its efficacy consists in resolving or abating the paroxysm; 

 and when this effect is produced, the return of the paroxysm is 

 greatly retarded, if not wholly prevented. 



In many cases the shallow-bath, rubbing wet-sheet, and other 

 forms of applying water by wet friction, will be found to prove 

 more successful than the above methods. Cold affusion on 

 the head, particularly when the part is hot and the patient 

 not very weak, is a valuable remedy in many of these cases. 

 Cold injections, if the patient is not particularly weak, and in other 

 cases the tepid, should be used freely in all convulsive attacks. It 

 matters not so much whether the bowels are constipated or other- 

 wise, the effect is good. In all the water management of these 

 cases, of course, we should do no violence to the system and the 

 treatment should be managed prudently, according to the patient's 

 constitution and the nature of the attack. 



All kinds of convulsions are to be treated on the same general 

 principles, whatever the cause. The great thing is, to rouse the 

 blood into a better and more general circulation. Pouring cold 

 water on the head would seem to promise well in cases where there 

 is much determination of blood to the head. 



, CHOLERA. 



The dripping-sheet, with the brisk rubbing upon its surface, is, 

 as I have before said, a powerful means of relieving spasms, arising 

 from whatever cause. The dry-rubbing, which is not a tenth part 

 as good as the wet, was found in Paris sufficient to render calm 

 and quiet the poor sufferers w r hen the terrible spasms were upon 

 them. The water-drinking and vomiting in nausea cleanses the 

 stomach, produces a tonic effect upon its internal surface, and thus 

 forestalls vomiting in cholera. It helps moreover to cleanse the 

 bowels and prevent the diarrhea. Priessnitz used the deep, cold 

 hip-bath for the reason that it has a very powerful effect in con- 

 stricting the opening capillaries of the mucous membrane of the 

 stomach and alimentary canal generally, and in arresting the vom- 

 iting and discharges from the bowels" but as HOT water has the 

 same effect and is much more lasting in its results it is to be pre- 

 ferred in nearly every case. Each and all of these applications, if ener- 

 getically persevered in, tend most powerfully to keep down the 

 inordinate burning and thirst. 



CONSTIPATION. 



As local applications, in this condition, the sitting-bath and 

 wet-girdle, worn night and day, or nights only if it is not practic- 

 able oy day, are invaluable means. It is of great importance to 



