covered with hard, solid flesh, my appetite and sleep are good, and my other functions in excellent order. The kindness and confidence with which you undertook a case so forlorn as mine, backed by the attention displayed in the treatment of it, deserve and have my grateful remembrance. But independently of what I have experienced in my own person, of the benefits to be derived from your mode of treating disease, when other modes were confessedly of no avail, I have seen enough in a number of the cases of others under the Water Cure at Malvern, to convince me of its perfect safety and superior efficacy; and I trust that this short letter, which you are at liberty to use as you please, may induce many sufferers like myself to profit by a trial of it. I shall be too happy to make this statement wherever I go. I remain, gentlemen, FRANCIS BEAUMAN, P.S. As to the physical annoyance in the Water Cure, that I heard so much about, I can only say that I found, even in my weakly state, every part of the treatment I underwent anything but disagreeable, particularly lying in the wet sheet: indeed, I found it so exceedingly pleasant, that I regret much that you discontinued it the last five days before my departure from Malvern. 1 may also observe that I have not taken medicine of any description since I first consulted you.-Fs. BN. To Doctors Wilson and Gully. I cannot leave Malvern without again expressing to you my thanks for the encouragement you gave me to try the effect of the Water Cure, as you practise it, and for your kind attention to me during the time 1 have undergone the treatment. I have now gone through the perspiring process, followed by the baths fifty times, with the other parts of the treatment; I found them anything but disagreeable; indeed, I may say, quite the reverse; and they have been most beneficial to me. During nine months before I came here, I was never able to move without my crutches, and a great part of that nine months, I passed in my bed or on the sofa. My nights were restless, my pulse high, and my tongue charged. I am now turned sixty-three years of age, and have been subject to the Gout more than forty years. I paid little attention to it the first twenty years, and as soon as the fit was over, I never missed taking my wine daily. My knees, hands, and other parts were so crippled, that I had made up my mind to pass the rest of my days in my arm-chair or bed, or to hobble about with my crutches. The effect of the treatment has so ameliorated my situation, I can now go up and down stairs with ease and comfort, without a stick, and the other day walked half a mile on the high road. I frequently ride on horseback four hours a-day, and my general health, I thank God, is as well as ever it was in my life. I sleep well, my appetite is good, I can use my arms freely, and tie my neckcloth, a thing I had not been able to do for years; in fact, I feel myself comfortable and independent. Had I come here a year ago, and undergone the same process, I have no doubt but I should have saved my left knee from being contracted; as it is, I am content to walk a little lame, and shall be too happy to remain in the same state I am in at present for the rest of my days. Pray excuse this long scrawl, as I know you have not a minute to spare, and believe me, My dear Sir, Park Hall, Epping, Essex. 16, Rue Matignon, Paris. To Dr. Wilson. Nearly twelve months after this was written, Admiral Beauman read me a letter from Mr. Marsh in which he describes himself as having been in perfect health since he left Malvern, with every prospect of continuing so. Let the reader compare this case with that of Probart given in the Appendix. Mr. Marsh was three months under the Water Cure treatment, and has taken no medicine since. Probart was only a fortnight under treatment, took spirits and drugs, and is now no more. Some years ago, being myself in pursuit of health, I accompanied the late Right Hon. Lord Farnham on the continent as his physician. He suffered from gout, but died from the effects of dosing with colchicum. It was an interesting and marked case of the destructive effects of that pernicious drug. IMPUISSANCE. COMPLICATED WITH GOUT, &c. The uncle of the reigning Duke of Nassau, between sixty and seventy years of age, had been afflicted with gout so severely, that when he arrived at Graefenberg, he was almost bent double. In addition to this he had become impuissant. He remained for two years, married while there, and in due time became the father of two children; and was, moreover, perfectly cured of gout. The above case of His Serene Highness Prince Nassau, as related by Dr. E. Johnson, was considered beyond the reach of any remedial measures. When he commenced the Water Cure treatment, his prospect of marrying was about as great as that of his being Emperor of Austria. All his joints were crippled with gout, and it had already slightly attacked his heart and brain. When I left his Highness his recovery was nearly completed. This case was nearly as hopeless as that of Probart. (See Appendix.) This letter was given by Mr. Case, (a gentleman well and esteemedly known in the county of Lancashire) to Dr. Cameron, in consequence of inquiries which the latter was making for some noble patient in London. Dr. Cameron sent me the letter to add to my stock, and the writer of it has kindly assented to its publication. Belle Vue Hotel, Great Malvern, October 25th, 1842. DEAR SIR, It is with much pleasure I sit down to comply with your request to communicate shortly respecting my own sufferings from gout, and the effects produced on me during my short visit to this place, using the cold water remedy under the advice of Dr. Wilson. I have been a martyr to gout from a very early age, and have already reached my sixty-fifth year. From the year 1816, I have generally been attacked periodically spring and autumn, the violence and suffering of the fit increased yearly. The joints of my hands, feet, ancles, knees, and elbows, much enlarged, and containing chalky matter, and the legs liable to be much swollen at night after exercise. I left my own house, Thingwall Hall, near Liverpool, on Friday morning, the 7th instant, and con པ་ It has been asked by Dr.- how I come to sign myself Physician to His Serene Highness Prince Nassan ?" I was attending the family of the Princess Sapeiba, when it was recommended -as I had for many years had great experience in the diseases of children-that I should see the prince's only child, which was considered to be in a critical state, and not likely to be reared. The child recovered rapidly, and I was kept in constant attendance on the prince and his family for a length of time. The prince gave me the most flattering inducements to remain and spend the winter with him, but I was prevented. When I left, he requested that I should call myself his physician. It is the custom for English medical practitioners to sign themselves in their publications, physicians or surgeons-ordinary, and even EXTRAORDINARY," to any royal or distinguished personages they may have attended. sulted the doctor on the same evening, commencing operations on the following morning, viz., the blankets and cold bath. I had much difficulty in reaching the well, where I drank four glasses of water, and returned with a fine appetite to breakfast; again took walking exercise, and another bath before dinner; and this has been the daily course, wearing the wet compress and dry bandage over the stomach. When I left home, I had active gout in both elbows; this very shortly disappeared. I have repeatedly tried, I believe I may safely say, every reported remedy without much success, and felt much doubt and hesitation in submitting to the treatment with cold water. However, I have no reason to regret the trial, feeling better and stronger than I have done for years. My capability of taking walking exercise has daily increased, and I can now, without much pain or fatigue, walk seven or eight miles a day. From the repeated perspiration and ablutions, the skin is softened and rendered more elastic, the swelling of the legs has disappeared, and the lumps on the hands and fi gers materially reduced. In fine, by a continuance of the system, I am sanguine in being enabled to eradicate the enemy, and, as far as I can judge, without any the slightest risk in bringing on other complaints. I live moderately, and though allowed by the doctor a glass or two of sherry, I have given even that up from choice, and really feel not the slightest desire for any such stimulant;-although at home I have been in the habit of taking aperient medicine almost daily, I have required none whatever here. I shall he happy to communicate any further information, and remain, Dear Sir, Yours very truly, THOMAS CASE. Dr. Cameron. The lady who wrote the following letter was sent here with her three sisters by Dr. Begbie, a physician of talent at Edinburgh; but not to try the Water Cure. DEAR SIR, In compliance with your request, that I Lest any one should suppose from the above, that I indulge my patients with wine, it is necessary to remark that permission was given only for a day or two, the conviction on my mind from past experience being, that the patient would of his own accord relinquish the stimulant in that period-so rapidly and certainly does the stimulus of water supersede that of wine, and convince at the same time, from the contrast in the feelings both moral and physical of the individual, that to take wine is a misfortune, and a stupid fallacy. I may add, that Mr. Case has forgotten to mention the operation of the douche, and sitz baths, &c., which he took in the course of the treatment, and which assisted in the beneficial result. should give you a sketch of my case, I beg to say that I have been for many years annoyed with a liability to take severe cold, with a cough that continued for weeks, and sometimes months, more particularly the last two years, when I was never more than a week without it, and closely confined to the house from October till June, never being able to go out without catching fresh cold, however warmly clothed, and even latterly in going through the house if the weather was at all damp. The usual mode of treatment was medicine, mustard poultices on the chest, leeches, and rubbed with irritating liniments; sometimes fly blisters, and every cough mixture, and lozenges,-all that could be thought of was tried, warm drinks, &c., and generally several days in bed at the commencement of every attack of cold. Occasionally the cold affected the wind pipe more than the chest, which made the cough at those times incessant. A complete change to bracing air, having been recommended, induced my friends to bring me to Malvern, but not to try the Water Cure; but it had not the desired effect, as I was attacked with a severe cold, similar to what I usually felt, and had I not consulted you, must in all probability have been confined to the house for some time, as going out always increased it. However, you advised the lying in the wet sheet two or three times a day, and rubbing three times each day with the chilled wet sheet, wearing a warm compress constantly on the chest, warm fomentations applied to the stomach for two nights, drinking cold water, &c. &c., and walking out three or four times a day, which treatment I followed, and at the end of three days, the feeling of cold in the chest was quite removed, and by the sixth day, the cough completely gone, which indeed appeared quite like a miracle, and thoroughly convinces my friends and myself of the extraordinary efficacy of the Water Cure. I now go out without a thought about the weather or fear of catching cold. I remain, Yours sincerely, ELIZABETH To Dr. Wilson, Great Malvern, -T. up all his sporting engagements, and lay himself up. The same thing had occurred to him in several previous years, and had confined him more or less during the winter. When I saw him he complained of great and incessant pain; and when he attempted to walk he was nearly bent double. Be During the first fortnight that I treated him, the pain, though severe when present, became intermittent, and there were intervals when he could walk straight. Still there was every appearance of its being one of those obstinate cases, which usually baffle all treatment. He was a good patient, however, and stuck to the plan of treatment I laid down for him, with perseverance. fore five weeks from the commencement were over, all pain was gone, both in the trunk and limbs; and he was able to walk as well as ever. A few days ago I met him at a battue chasse, at Lord Beauchamp's, at Maddersfield, where he took his share with us in killing a great many pheasants; and although the day turned out very wet, he stood it out, laughing at the idea of a return of rheumatism. His general health and appearance also underwent a very marked change for the better; indeed, his health may be said to be now perfect. The restoration of the general health is one of the striking features of the Water Cure. BROWN LEPROSY. A young gentleman, fourteen years of age, son of Mr. Fy, gilder, at Cheltenham, became a patient here in December last. Over the greater part of both legs there existed a scaly eruption, the individual scales being dark in colour, easily detached, about the size of a human nail, and when detached, leaving the surface underneath raw and tender, the latter discharging a bloody serous fluid, until the scales became again formed. This had been going on for a long time, gradually increasing in extent, without the least amelioration. He remained in the establishment nearly thirteen weeks, and left it to return to his father at Cheltenham, with his skin clean and healthy, and all the external appearance and internal signs of a robust state of health. He sweated every other day, and lay in the wet sheet every day, and on alternate days twice. On coming out of the blankets or wet sheet, his attendant, as well as ourselves, witnessed a very strong and peculiar odour emanating from them, and continued for several weeks of the treatment. The regular employment of sitz-baths and of the douche also formed a part of the treatment. Compresses were kept constantly upon the diseased parts, and he took from twelve to fifteen glasses of water daily. REMARKS.-Here is a case in which the simple operations of the Water Cure not only eradicated a local disease which all medical men know and acknowledge to be one of the most difficult, but also brought the patient into robust and general health. Compare with this the following list of medicines usually given in this disease, and which medical writers tell us are all more or less uncertain ;-muriatic acid, corrosive sublimate, preparations of arsenic, caustic potash, white hellebore, &c., all of which, if uncertain to cure the skin, are pretty certain to injure the general health, by establishing disease in the internal organs. In many skin diseases the water cure is most marked in its curative effects. In these diseases the results can be seen, and medical men have only to try it to be at once convinced. TIC-DOULOUREUX,STOMACH AND LIVER COMPLAINT, &c. Malvern, 6th October, 1843. MY DEAR SIR, It is with great pleasure I now add my testimony to that of so many others, of the great efficacy of your mode of treatment by "WATER, air, exercise, and diet." After a trial of exactly five weeks, I find myself benefited in every way, and much more so than I could ever have hoped or expected. I have been severely afflicted for the last sixteen or seventeen years past with a most violent tic-douloureux in my face, which is now easy from the water cure system; and my stomach is wonderfully restored to its former state of health, which had been upset for years, by the powerful medicines given to me to remove that distressing complaint. I came here suffering under stomach asthma, the liver complaint, and swelled and dropsical ankles, all of which are now perfectly removed, and I have every reason to express my fullest trust in your judgment, prudence, and discretion, with perfect confidence in your long practical experience in the medicinal, as well as the system you now pursue. I am happy at having it in my power to state to you, that I have ascertained that all the numerous patients who have been residents in your house during the time in which I have been among them, fully concur with me in these sentiments, and offered to add their testimony to mine. With best wishes for the success of yourself and the Water Cure system. I remain, my dear sir, Yours most truly, THOMAS STAUNTON ST. CLAIR, C.B. & K.H. Colonel. To James Wilson, Esq., M.D. &c. I It affords me great satisfaction to add my testimony to that of many others which I know you are constantly receiving as to the efficacy of the Water Cure treatment. entered your establishment on the 29th of May last, in a state of suffering very difficult for me to describe. I will enumerate the following as the principal features of my case low spirits, costiveness, piles, headache, oppressed with fat, and threatened with apoplexy. I had the greatest difficulty to collect my thoughts, my memory was nearly gone, and I could scarcely direct my servants. I was in so deplorable a state of health, that I felt and have since been told, that I was at that time in great danger. It induced me to adopt some prompt measures, having in vain had recourse to medicine. I was led to think favourably of the water cure treatment, by the perusal of one of your books upon the subject, and therefore at once surrendered myself to your care, and during the three weeks I remained in your house, and from that time to the present date, I unremittingly followed your directions; being packed in the wet sheet every morning for one hour, as well as using the shallow bath, sitz-bath, and compresses, at the same time drinking cold water, and observing the diet recommended by you. And now I have the gratification of stating, that having got rid of about forty pounds of superfluous fat about the stomach, &c., I am nearly relieved from the distressing symptoms I have mentioned above, and entertain fair hopes of having better health than I have known for many years. If this expression of my feelings is considered of the slightest use in giving confidence to those under bodily afflictions in the efficacy of the water cure treatment, I must add that it will give me much plea sure your making use of it in any way you think proper. And believe me, my dear Sir, To James Wilson, Esq., M.D. When Mr. Featherstonhaugh read his own case, the following one, as it is given in our "Dangers of the Water Cure, and its Efficacy Examined," he regretted that his name was not mentioned, and added, that the account gives so faint an idea of his sufferings and the benefit he had experienced, that he would at a future time write himself a full account for publication. There have been great numbers of such cases under the Water Cure treatment at Malvern. Some of them having previously had an attack of apoplexy, followed by slight paralysis; we have refused about thirty applicants whose cases were of the same nature, but too far gone. The following case is more particularly introduced, as it is one of those that medical men, who have even paid a little attention to the Water Cure, deem the least adapted for the system. I may also refer the reader to Mr. Shailer's letter. CONGESTION OF THE HEAD, WITH THREATENING APOPLEXY, &c. A gentleman, aged forty-five years, well known in the county of Worcester, had for years been suffering under the triple excitements of complicated affairs, field sports of all kinds, and high living, and, in the vain endeavour to stave off the evil results by constant and violent purgation, had increased them. The last three or four years he had been on his estate, free from business, but still exposed to the other causes of his disease. When he came to us he presented the following symptoms. Face remarkably full and livid; tongue moist and foul; bowels constipated; urine not reaching a pint a day. He had been for a time affected with giddiness of head, with tendency to fall on one side or other; dimness of sight; at intervals he was seized with extreme depression of spirits, excessive irritability, and strong inclination to be violent to those around him; his thoughts were frequently so confused as to deprive him of all moral courage and of the power of attending to anything. His nights were frightful, moaning, groaning, and tossing about. With such symptoms (which had existed for several years) it will scarcely be credited that he had been advised to take at least a pint of wine daily, and, as his spirits notwithstanding became worse, to augment the quantity to a bottle! Equally incredible is it that, whilst this treatment was going on, he had been repeatedly bled, both from the arm and the nape of the neck. It is to be remarked that this gentleman, hearing of the Water Cure, and feeling that he was getting rapidly worse, and threatened daily with apoplexy, took the resolution to abandon all advice, medicine, and wine, and to take to water drinking. This last relieved him so much, that he further resolved to put himself under our care. It is impossible in our space to detail all the management that was required in this very perilous case. Suffice it to mention that the greatest care was taken in graduating the different processes of the Water Cure, so as to induce a better distribution of the blood, and the diminution of its quantity in the head. All stimulants whatever were withdrawn at once, and since last September he has not required any liquid but water and milk, and has not taken a grain of medicine of any kind for now more than six months. The first effect of the treatment was the restoration of the secretions of the bowels and the kidneys, purgatives and diuretics having previously utterly failed. The next effect was the restoration to comparatively quiet sleep, and to quietude of mind when awake; for strange to say, the water has given him good spirits, which the wine had rather depressed than otherwise. The third effect was the disappearance of an immense quantity of superfluous fat, the chief accumulation of which was about the bowels, giving him an enormous paunch; for which, however, a quantity of hard, muscular flesh has been substituted on the limbs. figure is now what it was when he was a young man. It need scarcely be added that all fear and every symptom of apoplexy has vanished. His REMARKS. If we had never met or heard of another case than this similarly treated, we should have been compelled from it alone to acknowledge the vast field for reformation in the medical treatment which at present prevails. Here was a gentleman on the very brink of apoplexy, with all the causes which produce it in operation, yet in the face of his alarming head symptoms and daily diminishing health, he is instructed to drink first a pint, and then a bottle of wine each day, with medicinal means to correspond! We confess ourselves utterly unable to comprehend the meaning of such treatment of such a disease. But for the accuracy of the statement we have made, concerning his previous symptoms and treatment, and of the results of our treatment, we can, if necessary, refer to the patient himself, who, like ourselves and his friends, is convinced that had he persisted a very little longer in the plan he was following, a fatal termination must have infallibly en |