Graduated Tonic Cold

SYN: therapeutic ladder, Tonic Frictions

Dr Kellogg says...

Graduated Tonic Cold

Training sensitive patients in such a way to establish immunity against slight exposure to cold air or drafts ...until the skin becomes capable of taking care of itself without either protection or the mechanical aid of rubbing. This condition ... must be reached by every person who desires to become free from catarrhal affections, any system of treatment which does not accomplish it, or which confines itself to the treatment of the diseased mucous surfaces, will certainly fall short of the object sought.

The whole skin must be made so healthy and vigorous that it will be proof against the circulatory disturbances which give rise to colds. A relaxed skin which is bathed in perspiration by slight exercise renders the person liable to colds. By cold bathing the skin becomes accustomed to contracting its blood-vessels firmly, so that the loss of heat which gives rise to chill and the accompanying internal congestion, does not occur. This condition can be secured only by long training by means of daily cold applications. p 919

As a tonic, the cold douche may be advantageously employed in almost every case of chronic disease. If not appropriate at the beginning of a course of treatment, the constant aim should be to train the patient by a series of carefully graduated measures, to a condition which will admit the employment of the cold douche. p441

GKA

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

Use Hot Foot Bath before treatment.

Kellogg's Graduated Cold Applications

From weakest

Wet Hand Rub - begin on back only for the very feeble, then add chest, arms and lower legs, then entire surface. Begin at 20°C / 68°F then lower 2°C / 3°F a day to 4°C / 40°F or even 2°C / 35°F.
Cold Mitten Friction - Begin at 15°C / 60°F, one dip, lower 2°C / 3°F daily to 5°C / 40°F then increase the number of dips to four
Cold Towel Rub - Begin at 18°C / 64°F with towel wrung dry, lower 2°C / 3°F a day to 5°C / 40°F, wringing less and less until towel is saturated
Cold Sponge
Wet Sheet Rub - Begin at 18°C / 64°F with sheet wrung dry, lower 1°C / 2°F a day to 13°C / 55°F wringing less each day till sheet is saturated. Increase duration from ½ to 2min.
Dripping Sheet - Same as above until rubbing is completed then, the sheet being well warmed, a pail at 3°C less than the sheet was, is poured over the patient and rubbing renewed. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
Cold Shallow Bath - Begin at 24°C / 75°F, ½min, lower 1°C / 2°F a day to 15°C / 60°F, 3min.
Pail Pour - Begin at 24°C / 75°F, 2 pails, lower 2°C / 3°F a day to 15°C / 60°F, 6pails
Cold Douche - Warm Shower then start at 15-20°C / 60-68°F, 5-10sec, lower 1°C / 2°F daily, increasing the pressure and time to 15-20sec. Use Percussion Douche on Spine where possible. (this treatment requires special equipment and careful application and so is not described here)

JHK

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

make sure it is symmetrical

Use in

Kellogg	Abbott
( Dry Friction)
1. Wet Hand Rub	1. Wet Hand Rub
2. Cold Mitten Friction	2. Cold Mitten Friction
Salt Glow	3. Cold Towel Rub
3. Cold Towel Rub	4. Pail Pour
4. Wet Sheet Rub	5. Salt Glow
5. Dripping Sheet	6. Cold Douche
6.(rubbing Sitz Bath)	7. Wet Sheet Rub
7. Shallow Bath	8. Dripping Sheet
8. Pail Pour	9. Shallow Bath
9. Cold Douche	10. Cold Plunge
10. Percussion Douche to spine	(Alternate Douche (percussion) to spine, legs and feet)

Traditional Hydrotherapy