TJNCHASTITY 351 



degrees, and should be prolonged until drowsiness 

 occurs. At the close, the bath should be cooled very 

 slightly, not more than five or ten degrees. Such a 

 bath is called a neutral bath. Sometimes the patient 

 may be allowed to fall asleep in the bath with advan- 

 tage. This is one of the best known means of inducing 

 sleep. A hot bath is depressing and weakening. 

 Sweating baths and cleansing baths are generally best 

 taken before retiring. 



The Bladder Douche.— One of the best means of 

 relieving bladder irritation and catarrh of the bladder, 

 is the hot bladder douche. This is administered by 

 means of a catheter and a fountain syringe. The in- 

 struction should be given by a trained nurse or by a 

 physician. It is especially necessary to have proper 

 instruction in regard to the care of the catheter, to 

 avoid infection. The temperature of the water at the 

 beginning of the douche should be about 102 degrees. 

 Hot water should be gradually added to the douche 

 during the application, until the temperature is as hot 

 as can be borne and the surface well reddened. The 

 higher the temperature, the better the effect in most 

 cases. 



This is also an excellent remedy as an application 

 for the urethra in cases of gonorrhea. In cases of this 

 sort, the catheter should not, of course, be introduced 

 into the bladder, the application being confined to the 

 urethra. It is well to add salt or soda to the water, 

 in the proportion of a teaspoonful to the pint. 



The Spinal Douche.— This is an excellent remedy 

 in cases of genital weakness. The patient, undressed, 

 sits over the edge of the bath tub, while water is poured 

 upon the lower part of the back from a pail or dipper 

 field as high up as the attendant can reach. Hot water, 



