Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

Usually water temperature is 10-15°C, 10°C is best.

Tonic Antipyretic Refrigerants Fluxion

Definition

Friction over a cold towel spread over the surface.

Effects and Indications

Tonic

Because of little chance of internal congestion, can be used where the Wet Sheet Rub is contraindicated ie

1. Acute Renal Congestion or Inflammation
2. Pulmonary Haemorrhage or Intestinal Haemorrhage
3. Cardiac Insufficiency especially chest, arms and legs, begin on arms and finish on chest
4. Fevers - saturated towel, repeated applications, renewed frequently, heavy rubbing
5. Feebleness - Hot Towel Rub - 60-70°C - same procedure - little effect so rub longer

Sedative or Depression

1. after Fomentations or prolonged heat treatments - Very Cold, very dry towel.

Graduated Tonic Cold for

1. Debility in ...
   1. Anaemia
   2. Chronic Indigestion
   3. Neurasthenia - especially back
   4. Tuberculosis - or lungs, glands (scrofula), skin (lupus) or bones
   5. Rheumatoid Arthritis
   6. High uric acid level in Gout
   7. Diabetes
   8. Rickets
   9. Scurvy and Purpura
   10. Haemophilia
   11. Obesity
   12. Emaciation
   13. Dyspepsia
   14. Gastric Ulcer
   15. Cardiac Insufficiency of any cause

Contraindications

very rare

Do not apply to chest in...

1. Asthma
2. Very weak heart

Equipment

1. Cold towel for head
2. Several linen towels for application
3. Sheet or towel for drying
4. Sheet and blanket for wrapping
5. Basin of water for application
6. Another basin 10°C lower

Procedure

Friction over a cold Towel spread over the surface.

Order of treatment:

The patient should assist by holding the towel, wet and dry.

1. Chest
2. Each arm
3. Each leg
4. Back
5. Back of each leg
6. Finally the feet.

Treatment

• Wet the face, head and neck with a towel using the colder water then wrap as a turban.
• Uncover the part to be treated, wring a linen towel very dry, apply smoothly to part, rub rapidly until towel is warm.
• Hands are rubbed on the towel, NOT towel on skin. Intermittent pressure assisting the circulation is important not irritation.
• Move hands in long, rapid, alternating strokes over the whole area, to avoid chilling. Alternate with gentle percussion.
• Remove the now warmed towel. Place it in the colder basin.
• Cover the area with a dry towel and rub until dry and Reddened from the reaction.
• Repeat on opposite side
• When wet towel is needed take it out of the colder basin, wring, place in warmer, wring again and place on patient.
• Usually water temperature is 10-15°C, 10°C is best.

Completion of Treatment

• Cover patient so they are dry and warm. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

15, 5-24°C

Tonic Antipyretic Refrigerants Fluxion

Need:

• Cold towel for head
• 3 linen towels for application
• a sheet or towel for drying
• sheet and blanket for wrapping,
• 2 basins of water for application, one at 10°C the other 15°C

Procedure:

• Rub over the wet towel then a dry towel
• Towel wrung from cool or cold water, spread out over a large area
• Rub over the towel, one area at a time until whole towel is warm
• Remove towel, dry area and cover
• Dip in cold water, wring, and apply to opposite or adjacent area
• Repeat until whole body is done especially limbs.

Used as:

Tonic

where Wet Sheet Rub is contraindicated ie for

• Superficial Anaemias and Visceral Congestion in:
  • Cardiac Insufficiency - especially chest, begin on arms and finish on chest
  • acute Renal Congestion
  • Pulmonary Haemorrhage
  • Intestinal Haemorrhage
• Feeble - Hot Towel Rub - 60-70°C - same procedure - little effect so rub longer or
  • begin at 15°C and gradually lower to 10°C
• After Fomentations to the spine or abdomen (locally or generally always begin with heated part)
• Before vigorous general cold baths
• Acute Nephritis - every 3 hrs between heating treatments

Graduated Tonic Cold for

• Debility begin with a very dry towel and lower temperature daily until 5°C in:
  • Anaemia
  • Gastric Ulcer
  • chronic Indigestion
  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Uraemia
  • Obesity
  • Rickets
  • Emaciation
  • Scurvy and Purpura
  • Haemophilia
  • Neurasthenia - especially to back
  • Tuberculosis - of lungs, glands (scrofula), skin (lupus) or bones

Antipyretic

• in mild fevers or feeble or Retention Fevers saturated towel, repeated applications, renewed frequently, heavy rubbing

Cautions:

Do not apply to chest in:

• Extreme Heart Failure
• Asthma

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

• Graduate by decreasing the temperature of the water. 20-15°C
• Rub over the towel not with the towel