WATER TKEATMENT. 435 



cines operate by irritation, and not as a solvent. It is a direct 

 attack upon the vital functions, which, in self-defence, pour upon 

 it a watery secretion from the mucus membrane of the stomach 

 and bowels, to dilute it and render it less harmful, while it is 

 conducted along the alimentary canal by peristaltic motion, and 

 expelled from the bowels — called a cathartic, because nature 

 kicks it out as an intruder, an enemy. Yet this is called science ! 



"'But,' says the conservative, 'if this is at antipodes with 

 nature, what shall we do to harmonize with and assist nature to 

 recover her balance?' Let us see: 



"The greater part of the animal body is composed of water. 

 Three-fourths of the mass of the blood, and nine-tenths of the 

 fluid secretions, are water. All nutrient matters are conveyed 

 in water to the blood, and through it to all parts of the system. 

 "Water is the only solvent for the alimentary and excrementitious 

 matter, and through which the waste, or effete matters, are 

 expelled by the excretory organs. "Water can circulate through 

 all the tissues of the body, without producing irritation or injury. 

 In short, water is in perfect accord with the whole animal sys- 

 tem. 



"Fever and inflammation are caused by some obstruction in 

 the circulation of the system, sometimes by a sudden cold, which 

 closes the pores of the skin and prevents the proper excretions. 

 In high fever, or inflammation, it has been said ' the blood is on 

 fire; extinguish the flame, and the patient will be well.' 



"What more is there necessary than to cool off the part, to 

 relieve the system of this unnatural heat? Water is the most 

 universal cooling agent in nature, is always at hand, and easily 

 applied. Every thing in nature seeks an equilibrium. Apply 

 cold to the surface of the skin, and the hot blood rushes there to 

 resist it, and to equalize the heat. The tendency to congestion 

 of the internal organs in fevers, is relieved by an application of 

 cold to the surface. Water not only cools the skin, but opens 



