The water-cure in chronic diseases : an exposition of the causes, progress, and terminations of various chronic diseases of the digestive organs, lungs, nerves, limbs, and skin, and of their treatment by water, and other hygenic means / by James Manby Gully.

James Manby Gully

Date:: 1854

Credit: The water-cure in chronic diseases : an exposition of the causes, progress, and terminations of various chronic diseases of the digestive organs, lungs, nerves, limbs, and skin, and of their treatment by water, and other hygenic means / by James Manby Gully. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Hence the impropriety of alcoholic and medicinal sti- mulants. XIX. But the gradual and judiciously regulated stimu- lation of the nervous system, according to the organic powers, conduces to the development and mainlenance of its strength. XX. This stimulation is the more steady and certain in its results the more universally it is applied to the eniive nervous system. XXI. To the external shin, therefore, and to the in- ternal shin (as represented by all the lining membranes of the lungs and digestive organs), this stimulation should be applied^ those parts containing the largest portion of the nervous system spread through them. XXII. Pure air applied to the lungs, 2»'o]^e>' diet, and water applied to the digestive organs, and neater applied to the external skin, fulfil this intention of stimulation and strengthening most efl'ectually. XXIII. Fnrther : as that portion of the nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) in which the will resides, re- quires the development of its powers, exercise of the limbs is rccpusite, the stimulation of the air, diet, and water, aiding therelo. XXIV. Puke watee, puke aik, pkopee diet, axd KEGUEATED EXEECISE, AKE THE GKEAT AGESTS IN EFFECT- ING THE CUKE OE DISEASE BY AIDING THE NATUEAL EFFOETS OF THE BODY, TnEOUGH THE INSTEUAIENTALITT OF THE NEEVOUS SYSTEM. XXV. In THE DUE APPOETIONMENT OF THESE AGENTS. ACCOEDING TO THE POW^EES OF THE CONSTITUTION ANP THE PHASES OF DISEASE, AS ASCEETAINED BY MINUTE MEDICAL EXAMINATION, CONSISTS THE SCIENTIFIC AND THE SAFE PRACTICE OF THE WaTEE CdEE. XXVI. As the strengthening of the system by the regu- lated slimulaling of the nervous system is llie means, so ilie throwing of!' disease by more importimt on less impor- tant organs by that acquii'cd strength, is the end ot that practice. , XXVTI. During the efforts of the system thus aroused for so beneficial an end, if agents arc employed A\hicli divert those ellbrts and tend to centre slmiulus on the more inqioi'lant organs, augmented mischief is the cerlam result. Such agents are lo be found in alcoholic and medicinal sliiuulanls, applied lo the internal skm and$