430 COUGH. 



attend we'll to the condition of the skin. The mucous membrane 

 of the bowels has great sympathy with the condition of the skin. 

 To maintain this m a healthy, vigorous state, the rubbing wet- 

 sheet, the towel-bath and the daily shower, where this is well 

 borne, are valuable remedies. The bathing should be followed 

 daily and semi or tri-daily, should there be need in the case. 



COUGH. 



Treatment One of the best palliative means for the congh, 

 when consumption has not proceeded to a great extent, is to make 

 the body naked, and wash the surface with pure water, especially 

 the throat and chest. Even washing the feet will often relieve a 

 troublesome cough. 



The difficulty of breathing, which often attends lung-com- 

 plaints, may be greatly modified and relieved by the washings and 

 wet-hand frictions, such as I have recommended for cough. 



The power of water to promote the strength of the living 

 tissue is nowhere more strikingly exemplified than in the treat- 

 ment of hectic night-sweats. With every thing besides well man- 

 aged, it would seem that these debilitating night-sweats can be 

 effectually checked, to the very last. Often have I known persons 

 who have sweltered for weeks and months nightly with perspira- 

 tion, in whom it was checked altogether by the simple effect of 

 cold water, and wet frictions upon the surface. Nor would I have 

 the water applied very cold ; only of such temperature as the patient 

 can bear, that is, can get comfortably warm after. In proportion 

 as these night sweats are checked by water is the strength supported, 

 the health made more comfortable in every respect, and, to all 

 appearances, life materially prolonged. These washings may be 

 practiced two or three times daily, with the view of invigorating 

 the surface. Pure, fresh water the purer and softer the better 

 should be used. 



As a palliative means to be used in the fatal diarrhea which 

 occurs towards the last of consumption, pretty copious injections of 

 lukewarm or tepid water into the bowels, will be found a most 

 excellent means. It serves to soothe the patient, and at the same 

 time supports his strength. Have a good instrument, and resort 

 to the internal rinsing at every time when the bowels act unnatur- 

 ally. Use it either just before, or after, or both. Be the diarrhea 

 of whatever kind, this is a most excellent remedy. 



There is no magic, I will remark, as to the particular form of 

 bathing. Any good ablution the dripping-sheet, as it is called in 

 our hydropathic works, the affusion of water, the washing of the 

 body in a wash tub, or merely by wet towels and the wet hand 

 all of these are good modes. The shower-bath, it is to be remarked, 

 is one of the most severe of all; hence should not be used in 

 this disease. 



