This application is of two kinds-one, in which the wet linen, when applied, is left exposed to the air, producing a cold or a cooling sensation, by the free evaporation of the moisture which it contains, or by renewing it frequently. The other, from which the water is more completely wrung out and carefully protected from the air by a covering of dry linen. This is a warm application, all free evaporation being prevented.

The first of these, or the cold fomentation, is used when there is active, superficial inflammation going on. It reduces the heat, and diminishes the quantity of blood sent to the part. It is applied to the head when there is a determination of blood, inflammation, or delirium. It is assisted by the partial baths, and wet sheet. It is used in compound fractures, and all cases where a lessening of action, or the prevention of inflammation is indicated.

The second, or warm fomentation, is the most soothing application that can be applied to the external sentient surface. In lacerated wounds, and other injuries, ulcers, &c., it has the most healing influence of any application known.

The heating compress or fomentation is used applied to the abdomen, in the treatment of nearly all chronic diseases, more particularly where there is diseased action going on in the liver, stomach, bowels, and kidneys, or in the large ganglionic nerves behind the pit of the stomach. It is used in the following way—A bandage sufficiently broad to reach from the pit of the stomach, to an inch or two below the navel, and long enough to meet when passed round the abdomen; after being dipped in cold water, it is wrung as nearly dry as it can be; over this, a dry bandage of thick linen is applied sufficiently tight to be comfortable to the patient. This is worn in some cases day and night, and renewed when the wet bandages become dry, or every two, three, or four hours, as may be required.

In some cases, where there is great want of reactive power, it is better to confine the wet part to the front of the abdomen. In some instances it produces hysterical symptoms in delicate and excitable females: in such cases, if it be otherwise necessary to wear it, it should be kept on only for an hour or two at a time, or wear it only while walking. By this management, the nervous system of the digestive apparatus becomes gradually accustomed to its action.

Compresses are worn on the chest for cough; around the throat for different forms of sore-throat; on the nape of the neck for inflamed eyes, &c. &c.

When this continued fomentation or poultice has been applied for some time, it

draws to the skin and general covering of the abdomen, any undue action in the lining membrane of the stomach and alimentary canal, reducing the irritation or sub-inflammation; also by its soothing and sedative properties, and the renewed reaction on the skin each time it is replaced; it regulates the bowels, by increasing the peristaltic motion, and facilitating the expulsion of fæces. It relieves heart-burn, spasms, and the train of symptoms accompanying bad digestion. After a time, more especially when there is a tendency to crisis, the bandage, when washed, is found to be saturated with different secretions from the skin, making the water thick and turbid. And frequently a curious phenomenon takes place, which has not yet been explained. After the bandage has been worn some weeks, there is a secretion thrown out on the skin of the stomach and abdomen, of a beautiful dark blue colour; this continues for a week or two; sometimes ceases suddenly for weeks, and returns again. It is of frequent occurrence, and 1 have always found it of precisely the same colour. As yet I have only seen it in bad dyspeptic cases, and where mercury had been taken at some previous period.

This water-dressing is applied to eruptions, and different kinds of local affections that appear during the crisis, to gouty hands and feet, &c.

After a time, various forms of eruption appear on the skin, from which exudes a glutinous liquid, accompanied with a strong disagreeable odour. Medicinal substances formerly taken are sometimes detectable in the secretion in question.

Similar phenomena take place on the application of compresses around the different joints. The smell and colour of ointments and other applications that had been used a long time previously are brought out by the

compresses.

A patient under my care, in whom some of these striking effects occurred, was visited by Mr. Travers, an eminent and one of the most scientific surgeons in London. In this case there was suppuration took place in the knee-joint, and when it had pointed and had nearly the reached the surface, the bandages were found to be marked all over with yellow matter, although the skin was perfectly whole. This continued for some weeks, and the swelling disappeared.

There are a number of circumstances which guide in the application of the compress as a remedy for immediate and local uneasiness or for the general disorder. Into these the character of this part of the work does not allow of entering upon,

THE AFTER EFFECTS OF THE

WATER CURE IN MISCARRIAGES, DEBILITY, &c.

THE case of the lady who has sent me the following satisfactory letter will be found at page 26. Captain Burgess, Mr. Kortright, and Mr. Richard Coxwell, of Dowdeswell, near Cheltenham, were in my house at the same time with the patient. They were much pleased by reading the letter, having taken great interest in the recovery of the patient.

Pallazzo

MY DEAR SIR,

Florence, Nov. 10th, 1843.

I fear that I have drawn largely on your faith in my promises by my long silence; but although I have deferred the pleasure of writing to you, believe me, the benefit I derived from your advice, and the" pure wells undefiled" of the Malvern hills, is of too lasting a nature to be erased from my memory, even though it were "unstable as water."

By strictly persevering in the plan you laid down for me on my leaving Malvern, I have continued in the excellent state of health to which I was restored when I left you, and which I had not enjoyed for years. The elasticity and freshness of spirit, the joyous sense of existence, which I thought gone for ever, have returned to me; my cheek has recovered its bloom, my eye its brightness, and surely you know enough of human nature to feel assured that no woman can be ungrateful for the restoration of her good looks. The ladies ask ine what cosmetics I employ, and when I assure them that pure cold water night and morning is the only application I ever make use of, they look incredulous, and give me to understand that they think I am fibbing and determined to keep my own counsel.

As yet there is no hydropathic establishment in Italy that I am aware of, but, even in this dreamy land, people are by degrees opening their eyes to the great truths embodied in the Water Cure. One of the most eminent physicians in Florence has created a great sensation by his successful treatment of nervous fevers on the system of the Water Cure. The first essay was in the case of a poor man at the hospital, supposed to be at the point of death. To the astonishment of all parties the patient recovered. The faculty assailed the worthy "professore" with vituperations and words of "learned length and thundering sound," but disregarding the clamour, he acts upon the hint he has received, and in all case of nervous fever administers the only true medicine. If only one disease is thus treated, it is a great point gained; and it is not likely that a man who has had the courage to take so important a step towards crushing the host of prejudices that envelope the public mind, will be content without pursuing his investigations.

Our mode of life is very simple, and with the exception of an occasional cigar in which my husband indulges, there is nothing contrary to Water Cure doctrines and your injunctions. Mr. is even more enthusiastic on the subject than I am, but I leave him to speak for himself, and with kind regards to Mrs. Wilson, I beg you to believe me, Dear Sir, very truly yours,

Though the word "enthusiastic " used by my wife is an epithet to which I have a certain aversion, I must plead guilty to it this time. I have continued since I left Malvern to practise what you advise for persons in health, and though I always thought myself in the enjoyment of tolerably good health, I perceived soon after I

abandoned all irritants, drinking only water, that a "veil of bile and gall had long hung between me and God's world." I have gradually gained ever since in the powers both of mind and body. My occasional colds have come no more, my skin is different, and I feel altogether fresher and younger. If you should have it in your power to write us a word of the health of your family and patients, you would do us a signal fa

vour.

Very faithfully yours,

I have to thank T. Beale Browne, Esq., of Salperton, near Cheltenham, for the following letter, stating the effects of the Water Cure on himself and child.

34, Welbeck Street, London, Dec. 27th, 1843.

MY DEAR DR. WILSON,

I cannot leave Malvern without expressing my gratitude to you for the signal benefit I have received, together with my dear child, from your Water Cure treatment. I own I was very averse to the system, but I was induced to read some books on the subject, my judgment was convinced, and I determined to give it a trial. I began, according to the directions, to drink nothing but water, and deriving benefit from it, I made up my mind to consult you, and put my little boy under your charge. By God's blessing upon the means used, I was soon entirely cured of a complaint in the kidneys, which had been deemed incurable by many of the first medical practitioners in town and country. I also suffered severely from several other complaints brought on by the constant use of aperients and other strong remedies; these soon yielded to your admirable system, so that for many months I have taken no medicine, and am perfectly cured.

My little boy came to Malvern in almost a dying state; indeed a relation has since said he did not expect his life could by possibility last three months. His foot, which had been bad for some time, had become gradually worse and worse notwithstanding the treatment of the best medical practioners in town and country. In a short time there was a great alteration for the better, and in a few months he began to run about, which he does now without any ill effects; his foot is as nearly well as possible, and his general health is marvellously improved; indeed the same relation has said that these two cases of themselves are sufficient to establish the Water Cure. I have

As I am aware that you are about to publish a pamphlet containing authenticated evidence of the benefits to be derived from the Water Cure, it is with pleasure I write you an outline of my case, if you consider it of sufficient importance to insert it.

I have been now three months under the treatment, and have undergone great changes for the better, both mentally and bodily.

When I consulted you I had just previously had a slight attack of paralysis, and after having undergone the usual medical treatment, was told by my medical attendant that he could do no more for me, and urged a visit to Buxton, but at the same time strongly cautioned me on no account to have anything to do with the Water treatment. This he impressed on me very earnestly. and I have no doubt sincerely, for he said, "If there's any truth in the science of medicine, the Water treatment is humbug.' To his advice I partly acceded, and went to Buxton more dead than alive. Besides the attack of paralysis I had been costive for years, my bowels hardly ever acting without taking medicine and pills, of the latter I had taken at various times nearly every sort, from Morrison's Pills, thirty to a dose, down to Parr's, but the more I took the worse I became, and the more I required. Then in the morning I had sickness and vomiting, and had been three or four times attacked with very severe stoppage in the bowels, which I had great difficulty in recovering from, although on these occasions I was attended by a very eminent physician, Dr. Belcombe of this city. I stopped at Buxton about ten days, and with little if any benefit, and sick at heart, low-spirited, and miserable, without hope, and highly irritable. I by accident heard of you. reaching Malvern you found me in a wretched state both of body and mind, but after having been under your care for thirteen weeks, my state and feelings have most materially improved. I have got to be able with the greatest ease to walk from ten to fifteen miles; my bowels have become perfectly regular, and require no medicine. Of the latter I have only taken two rhubarb and two ox-gall pills during the time I have

On

been under your care, both of which I am satisfied I might have done without. My abdomen has lost much of its gross protuberance, having lost from the 7th September to the 20th December, just eighteen pounds, the rest of the body being well covered with solid flesh.

I am now returning home, and conclude by expressing my thanks for the attention and kindness with which you managed my case, for I must in fairness say that without your satisfactory explanations, and patience with me in the first period of my treatment, I fear I should not now be in a state to add my tribute to your successful treatment. With kind regards, I am, dear Sir

Yours very truly,

WILLIAM SMITH, Jun. Attorney, 14, New Street, York. P.S. I have omitted to state that one important function was entirely suspended from the time of the attack of paralysis, but was after a few weeks completely restored. You will be aware to what I allude, which I will not more particularly describe, but shall be glad to give you or any other person who requests it, an explanation.

SYPHILIS,

WITH

STOMACH AND LIVER DISEASE,

AND

PALPITATIONS OF THE HEART.

Thomas L. Morecroft, Esq., Manor House, Rock Ferry, Cheshire, was a patient in my house at the same time with the author of the following interesting and candid letter; they were on intimate terms. He has read the letter, and declares it to be accurate in its statements.

DEAR SIR,

Paris,

Dec. 26th, 1843.

From all I had heard for and against yourself and the Water Cure, before visiting Malvern; and from all I have witnessed during a residence of nine weeks in your establishment, I cannot but be aware of the great importance of relating and authenticating a cure like my own, taking at the same time the opportunity of stating that for your unremitting kindness and attention, as well as for my recovery, I shall ever feel a most grateful remembrance.

On my arrival at Malvern I was suffering from most distressing palpitations of the heart, which I had had for upwards of two years, the result of a long-continued residence in a tropical climate, accompanied with other very unpleasant symptoms of the stomach, and for which I had taken medi

cines of all kinds and descriptions, with very little if any alleviation of my sufferings. But added to this, some time before I consulted you, I contracted syphilis, which showed itself in deep eating chancres, which were soon afterwards, from the travelling, accompanied by a swelling of the glands of a very painful nature, which formed rapidly and largely, and laid me up in bed. Now what I consider of importance to state is, that exactly in one week I was completely rid of the swelling by the different processes of the Water Cure, and was able to get out of bed and walk about, feeling myself stronger and fresher in health than before I was laid up. The same remedies which were used for the swelling and its cause, I found quieted the palpitations of the heart, and greatly relieved the stomach symptoms. For about fourteen days the chancres went on eating and enlarging rapidly, but they then took a sudden turn, and began to heal and disappear perceptibly, together with the thickness and hardness about them. As soon as they were completely healed, a crisis of small boils broke out in different parts of my body, but they did not confine me an hour to the house, and I found my general health better than I have known it to be for many years. I now feel that I am a hale and hearty man, my blood pure, and all the functions of my body in a perfect state. A very near relation of mine, who is a retired physician, has watched with deep interest the progress of my case: he was at first sceptical, and fearful of the result; he is now however highly gratified, and considers it one of the greatest triumphs of modern medical art, being of opinion that had I been obliged to use mercury to any extent in my state of health, it might have utterly precluded my chance of ever regaining it.

As I have a fellow-feeling for those attacked by long and severe suffering, and having myself recovered so easily and pleasantly from a complaint which ruins so many constitutions, it is with very great pleasure that I authorize you to mention my name to any gentleman who may desire to know it. And with a reiteration of my thanks to you,

I remain, dear Sir,
Yours very sincerely,

To James Wilson, Esq., M.D.

REMARKS.-The reader will find another case of syphilis at page 14. I may add to the Remarks appended to it, that the boon of escaping from the destructive effects of mercury is not the only one the patient obtains from the Water Cure. Instead of the constitution being injured, and in many cases ruined by the treatment, as in the old system, he finds his general health improved, and should he at the same time have other ailments, they also come in for a share of the benefit. I have often heard patients congratulate themselves on this peculiarity of the Water Cure.

M

STOMACH & LIVER COMPLAINT

WITH

RHEUMATISM AND TIC.

South Hall, by Rothsay,
Jan. 9th, 1844.

MY DEAR DOCTOR, According to promise I write to report progress, and let you know how I have been going on.

You will be glad to find that since I was under your care, I have not had a pain or an ache. I have left them all behind me; indeed I may say I have not felt so well or so strong for many a day, as at the present moment. I almost wish I had a twitch or two, that I might have an excuse to return to Malvern and your hydropathic treatment, which I tell all my friends, I found as much a matter of enjoyment, as it was beneficial. The Water Cure is decidedly gaining ground in Scotland, and I am convinced it will do so the more it is practised and understood.

Believe me, my dear Doctor,
With sincere regard,
Very truly yours,

months, I confess that I thought at the time you were flattering my faint hopes, and that it was next to impossible. I am thankful to state, that your kind opinion has been most truly verified, for I am now strong, and in the enjoyment of all the feelings of perfect health.

Soon after I commenced your treatment, which from my great debility was at first of the gentlest nature, began to experience its strengthening power and to feel more assurance that I should recover. I was soon able to bear and find all the remedies agreeable, and to the present moment I have every day had more reason to thank a kind Providence who gave me the benefit of the means you use, and of your skill and unremitting kindness. Mr. Charles joins me in kindest wishes for your welfare. Believe me,

Dear Doctor Wilson,
Very truly yours,

ANNE CHARles.

P.S. I forgot to mention that from the day I consulted you, I have not taken, nor have I in any way required, a dose of medicine or a stimulant of any kind.

J. CAMPBELL.

To J. Wilson, Esq., M.D.

SUPPOSED CONSUMPTION,

WITH EXTREME DEBILITY.

King Street, Carmarthen,
Feb. 6th, 1844.

DEAR DOCTOR WILSON,

If a brief account of my recovery by the Water Cure will asssist in removing illfounded fears and prejudices, it is with great pleasure I send it you, to make any use of you may deem of utility.

During a period of twelve years I was in a very delicate state, scarcely ever well, and incapable of bearing the least exertion. I was frequently laid up with severe illness for months. At last my chest became so severely affected, that I was thought to be in a rapid consumption. During this long period I was generally under medical treatment, often thought to be in a hopeless state, and I was at last told that the probabilities were against my living long or recovering. My husband was informed by some of my medical attendants that tubercles were formed in the lungs.

I put myself under your care in a forlorn state and as a forlorn hope, and when, after an examination of my chest, you told me that with proper management, care, and the necessary means, I should be free from disease, strong, and well, in less than six

LETTER

FROM THE

REV. STUART MAJENDIE.

Longdon, near Lichfield, Feb. 5th, 1844.

MY DEAR SIR,

I assure you that I very much regret missing you when you were on your visit to Lord Anglesey. I was obliged to go to the assizes, and on the day I was asked to meet you at dinner I was engaged.

I am glad to find that the English public are becoming sensible of the value of the hydropathic treatment, and that your zeal and efforts have been crowned with so much success. It affords me pleasure to add my testimony to the many which you possess of its salutary efficacy. It is now about twelve months since I was under your care at Malvern. From that time I have continued to follow your instructions, and certainly have never felt so well. Should I be afflicted with illness, I should again seek health by resorting to my "Water Doctor."

Since I first consulted you I have not taken nor indeed have I felt the least necessity for any medicine whatever. It appears to me, therefore, that when the Water Cure is studied and cultivated by physicians of talent, and the misapplication of its powerful means avoided, by being taken out of