HYDROPATHY. 259 
HYDROPATHY. 
While it is true that some men exaggerate the benefits of 
water in the treatment of disease, affirming that it is the alpha 
and the omega of all successful treatment, (we think this is 
narrowmindedness of a very pronounced type), still we are 
willing to acknowledge the great medicinal] value of the 
various modes of applying water, not only in curing, but also in 
preventing disease. Hydropathic books, such as Smedley’s, 
Kirk's, and others. which were written to set forth the virtues 
of the water treatment, are hke all other human books, too one- 
sided. They abound with examples of the success of their 
treatment, but prudently omit the unsuccessful cases. While 
we, as authors, think it wise to cast the mantle of charity over 
our own failings, we ought to guard against the common evil 
ofexaggeration. Theauthor’s father, who died at theearly ageof 
34, of consumption, was induced to test the merits of this 
system. He entered one of the first establishments, where he 
was steamed, packed, scrubbed. douched, &c., for the space 
of a month or so, with the result that he came out much worse 
than he was before entering; he took his bed immediately 
and lasted only six weeks after Another young man entered 
Smedley’s celebrated institution with a severe cold on the 
chest; in two weeks he was carried out for his funeral. 
Doubtless these are only exceptions, still they ought to exclude 
immoderate boasting. ‘Failures such as we have given are 
having a beneficial effect on the more progressive hydro- 
pathists, who are adopting our Eclectic System and giving 
internal medicine along with their water treatment’ This is 
a hopeful sign, not only with them, but with the older medical 
sects. We cannot afford to despise anything which has been 
proved good and useful in relieving human suffering, as in 
our treatment we shall recommend the various kinds of baths 
that we think will benefit our patients and readers. We give 
the following, which for the sake of easy reference we shall 
number, and strongly recommend as both preventive and 
curative :— 
