TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 218 



Remarks. — Dr. Gunn, in his "New Family Physician," says of it: "Ad 

 important remedy, and has cured many cases of epileptic fits, when taken in 

 early stages." 



SALT WASHINGS, DRY RUBBINGS, ETC. -Important in 

 all Chronic Diseases, Especially of an Inflammatory Character.— 

 In all chronic diseases, and especially diseases of an inflammatory character, 

 as catarrh, throat, bronchial or lung difficulties, inflammation of any or all 

 these parts named, or inflammation of the stomach, liver, kidneys, bladder, 

 urethra, vagina, white swelling, and any or all other swellings or inflammation, 

 and in fact in all conditions and at all times of life, it is of the utmost impor- 

 tance, not only to keep the whole surface clean by bathing or washing, at least 

 twice a week in summer and once a week in winter; but in all chronic or long- 

 standing diseases, it is very important to stimulate the skin by salt-water wash- 

 ings, every other morning (Sunday morning being set for a soap and water wash- 

 ing), followed by brisk rubbing of the whole surface, which equalizes the cir- 

 culation, helps to break up congestions (an undue amount of blood in any 

 organ or part), putting the whole machinery' of the circulatory system (heart, 

 arteries, veins, and the smaller vessels near the surface known as capillaries), 

 into complete working order, without which perfect health cannot be long 

 maintained. 



I. Strength of Salt Water. — Dissolve % a tea-cup of common barrel salt in 

 3 pints of water (in winter the water should be warm and the bath taken in a warm 

 room; in summer, if the water stands in the room over night, it will do very 

 well without warming); then with a sponge, or what is better, a piece of coarse 

 woolen cloth, wash first the arms, neck and body thoroughly, then the lower 

 limbs and feet, by which time the upper parts will be dry without wiping, when, 

 with another piece of coarse woolen cloth, flesh-brush or hair mitten, rub as 

 hard and long as the friction can be borne, or till the whole surface glows oi 

 burns with the heat caused by the free circulation of the blood in the skin. 

 The morning is the best time to do it, as the system is then free from excite- 

 ment, and, unless you have been too warmly covered, also free from perspira- 

 tion; therefore, less likely to "take cold." Do not neglect the feet even, but- 

 rub all well and thoroughly each time. It is claimed by some physicians that 

 these salt washings and dry rubbings alone will break up and cure many chronic 

 diseases. I know, however, without a good circulation in the skin, health will 

 sooner or later fail. My desire is to impress its importance upon every invalid, 

 for without it not half the speed can be made in curing disease, even with the 

 best of treatment. 



II. Dry Rubbings. — All other mornings and evenings than those for the 

 salt-water washings, the friction or dry rubbing will materially help to bring 

 about the desired circulation of the blood in the skin, as it draws it away from 

 any inflamed or otherwise diseased organ or part of the system. To be done 

 as you undress for the night, and before dressing in the morning. 



III. Cold Feet.— In all cases of habitual cold feet, the foregoing plan o* 

 washings and rubbings is also of the utmost importance, making the frictioo. 

 or rubbings, of the lower limbs and feet the most thorough. 



