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PROCESSES OF WATER-CURE. 303
the treatment of disease, with their applications, and
the errors to be guarded against. I wish to make these
directions so plain, that no reader of this book may ever
be obliged to write to me for further explanations.
CHAPTER XX.
PROCESSES OF WATER-CURE.
The water used in water-cure processes should be
soft, clean, fresh, and newly drawn. It should be soft,
especially for drinking, and it is better for bathing; but
hard and salt-water, if cold and living, does much good.
In all that regards changes of temperature, and the
exciting of vital reaction, it probably answers every pur
pose. It has the invigorating property, but less of the
cleansing. Whenever water is to be applied continu
ously to the surface, so as to be absorbed, as in the long
tepid or half-bath, the sitz-bath, and for compresses,
bandages and wet sheet packs, I should use soft water,
if it can possibly be —and more procured
especially for
drinking. Sea bathing is invigorating, but has little
effect in cleansing the surface.
The temperature of water for ordinary bathing should
be considerably below that of the body. The temper
ature of the blood varies but slightly from 98 degreea
Fahrenheit. A very feeble person may bathe in watei
at 70 degrees, but those who are more vigorous, should
use it colder; and the lower the temperature, tha