Hydropathy, or, The water-cure : its principles, modes of treatment, &c., illustrated with many cases : compiled chiefly from the most eminent European authors on the subject / by Joel Shew.

  • Shew, Joel, 1816-1855.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hydropathy, or, The water-cure : its principles, modes of treatment, &c., illustrated with many cases : compiled chiefly from the most eminent European authors on the subject / by Joel Shew. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    only one characterized by uncertainty and chance,''''—that the existing system of medical study confers trifling good on society, —that there is scarcely a sound idea on physiology abroad,— that the plan hitherto pursued in the study of medicine, lias been too narrow ever to lead to those happy results that dignify an age by improving the condition of humanity,—and that the prevalent mode of treating disease, harmonizes admirably with, and is quite as senseless as, the method of reasoning in pathology. The practitioner mixes, combines, and jumbles together vege- table, mineral and animal substances; administers them right or wrong, without for a moment considering the cause of the dis- ease, and without a single clear idea on the why and wherefore of his conduct. Another says, all things considered, it were better for mankind if not a particle of medicine existed on the face of the earth ; and the learned Hoffman of the seventeenth century said, avoid medicine and physicians, if you value your health! However strong and sweeping these assertions may at first ap- pear, if we carefully examine, we shall find that there is vastly too much of truth in them. The study of the mere relation be- tween symptoms and remedies, without sufficient reference to the removing of the causes of disease, has been too much the case in medicine. Hippocrates used but little medicine, and his remedies were few and simple. His principal business was to discover and remove the causes of disease. Medicine has likewise been followed too much as a mere busi- ness—a means of livelihood, or a source of emolument. And then again, if we may hazard the opinion, it is too true that the existing system of medicine is often found going in direct opposi- tion to its fundamental principles. This it is claimed cannot in truth be said of hydropathy. The practice in the water-cure is consistent, rational and explainable. Let us not be misunderstood in this matter. Far be it from us to depreciate, in any way, the value of the profession. It is