Hydropathy, or, The water cure: its principles, modes of treatment / Compiled chiefly from the most eminent English authors on the subject.

  • Shew, Joel, 1816-1855.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hydropathy, or, The water cure: its principles, modes of treatment / Compiled chiefly from the most eminent English authors on the subject. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    As to the merits of the discoveries of Priessnitz, there seems to be some difference of opinion, even among those who admit his great and unexampled success in the treat- ment of disease. Some would appear to inculcate that he is only wisely, ingeniously, and energetically carrying out principles and practices which have been understood and practised from the time of Hippocrates down. On this point, Sir Charles Scudamore holds the following language :— I think that some writers on Hydropathy have not expressed sufficient praise and acknowledgment to Priessnitz, as the inventor of a treatment constituting a complete, systematic plan. To follow in a path, is always comparatively easy. It is quite true, that parts of the whole plan, and the principles, have been known and practised since the time of Hippocrates, and by none more ably and scientifically than the late Dr. Currie of Liverpool. But all that can be quoted from history, bears no comparison with the regular and systematic whole which Priessnitz has so happily constructed, and by which he has raised himself an imperishable fame. Of the abilities of Priessnitz, all are agreed, that for good judgment, clearness, and decision of character, he is pecu- liar. To the phrenologist, a few admeasurements of his head will be interesting. As given by R. Beamish, Esq., they are as follows :— Circumference across brows 22 inches. Circumference across causality 213 Lateral arch from root of nose to occiput 133 Transverse arch, from ear to ear 14 Anterior arch, from ear to ear 12 Posterior Ill Anterior lobe 7 Height from root of nose to comparison 3