392 Human Physiology. 



it, or by drinking a tumbler of cold spring or ice-water. It 

 gives us a sensation of invigoration. The douche, or a stream 

 of water falling several feet upon the spine, chest, and limbs 

 for two or three minutes is followed by a feeling of extraordin- 

 ary vigour. A common expression of a patient is " I feel as 

 though I could jump over a house." Arid this natural invigora- 

 tion is not like that produced by stimulants. It is not followed 

 by any reaction, or relaxed and weakened condition. Every 

 cold bath, which is not beyond the reactive power of the system, 

 is followed by a solid and permanent benefit. This may not, 

 in all cases, be evident at once. In some cases of great exhaus- 

 tion and low vitality the gain is slow at first almost impercep- 

 tible; but after some months, and even years in some cases, 

 nature triumphs over the disease, and the gain of health is 

 gratifying in proportion to its apparent hopelessness. 



As cure depends so much upon, or is measured by the power 

 of the body to produce heat, it is evident that we must be care- 

 ful in the use of every form of artificial heat. The temperature 

 of rooms should not be above 70 deg., and clothing and bed- 

 covering only sufficient for comfort ; for natural heat accumu- 

 lated in clothing becomes artificial, and weakens the nervous 

 power. Warm baths, however pleasant and beneficial to the 

 strong, are too relaxing to be habitually taken by the weak, and 

 are only to be used by them in emergencies. Warm fomenta- 

 tions may sometimes be applied to relieve local congestions; 

 but warm and hot sitz baths are seldom admissible; and when 

 frequently given have a weakening effect on parts and organs 

 which need tonic and strengthening treatment. Delicate per- 

 sons may begin with tepid, or merely cool sitz baths, and make 

 them colder day by day, until able to bear the water at its 

 natural temperature. 



A napkin wrung out of cold water and laid upon throbbing 

 temples, on fevered and irritated lungs, or a disordered stomach 

 and bowels, or upon the lower part of the abdomen, in diseases 



