Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

The neutral bath is used for sedative purposes and as such is quite helpful in cases of insomnia.

Water 34 - 37°C

Effects:

• Sedative
• Cerebral Derivative

Definition

Immersion of the body in a tub of water at a neutral temperature (34 - 37°C).

Physiologic Effects

1. Circulation is equalized and blood is drawn away from the brain
2. Calms the nerves

Indications

1. Insomnia
2. Nervous Exhaustionor Nervous System Irritability
3. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels where more extreme hot or cold cannot be used (such as Diabetes and Arteriosclerosis)
4. Cleansing
5. Anxiety
6. Chronic Diarrhoea - especially diarrhoea induced by anxiety
7. Multiple Neuritis
8. Burns - only burnt area need be in the water

Contraindications

1. Eczema and other skin conditions aggravated by water
2. Severe Cardiac Insufficiency

Equipment

1. Bath thermometer
2. Bath towels and bath mat if desired
3. 2 sheets and shower cap
4. Air pillow or folded towel for patient's head

Procedure

Important Considerations

• The temperature will vary with the condition of the patient especially with regard to skin temperature, season of the year, temperature of the room, etc.
• All heat treatments should precede the neutral bath
• If patient is in the bath longer than one hour, lubricate the skin with a lanolin cream

Preparation for Treatment

• Fill the tub sufficient to cover the patient at with water temperature 34 - 37°C.
• Assemble equipment
• Room should be, warm, quiet and with subdued light
• The bath should feel comfortably warm, hence the patients sensation is a better guide than a thermometer

Treatment

• Assist patient into tub; make comfortable with a air pillow or folded Turkish towels under hips and behind head such there is no strain
• Cover exposed body parts with a towel or cover tub with a sheet or light blanket; Instruct patient to lie quietly and relax
• If the bath lasts longer than 15-20 minutes, add more warm water to maintain temperature
• Stay with patient; do not talk unless by so doing you can keep the patient quiet
• Duration: from 15-20 minutes to 3-4 hours
• Cool the bath two to three degrees if necessary at close of treatment
• Assist patient out of the bath
• Dry quickly without friction or unnecessary rubbing
• Assist patient with dressing or going to bed, as needed

Completion of Treatment

• The patient should have undisturbed rest for at least 30 minutes

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

35, 33-36°C 31°C, prolonged

• Be careful to prevent heat loss after the bath.
• Wrap well in sheet and blanket

Sedative and Restorative in:

• Nervous System Irritability or Cerebral Irritability 15-30min in
  • Insomnia at bedtime 15min-1hr, 3-4hrs - on removal cover with a sheet and blanket to avoid chilling, pat dry and place immediately in bed.
  • acute Mania
  • obstinate Insomnia
  • Fevers - 3-4 hours at 33°C
• Organic Brain or Cord disorders:
  • Paraplegia
  • Tabes Dorsalis
  • or those with Arteriosclerosis
• severe Pain in Sciatica - use between other treatments to continue their good effects
• Stroke
• Multiple Neuritis
• Exhaustion
• Cardiac Insufficiency - if tendency to heart failure then use
  • Precordial Compress and cold to the head and neck

Eliminative in

• Toxaemia 15-30 min daily in:
  • chronic Inflammation of Meningitis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Acidosis (in urine) 1-3 hours in
  • Neurasthenia,
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Dyspepsia
  • Pruritus without eruption
  • Urticaria
• general Oedema 30-60min where other methods are Contra-indicated
• Chronic Diarrhoea
• Peritonitis other chronic abdominal conditions
• Drug Addictions
• Alcoholism

Antipyretic

begin at 37°C rapidly drop to 33°C, 30min-2 hours

• continued Fevers, patients who have not had cold treatment early
• for infants 5-10min, elderly and feeble 10 min. Repeat every 2 hours or whenever body temperature reaches 38°C.

Antiphlogistic

• Cerebral Congestion 34°C ½
  • 1 hr with rubbing and
  • Cold Compress to head,
  • follow with Scotch to feet and legs, then
  • Abdominal Heating Compress and Evaporating Compress to head

Contra-indications

• Eczema and other skin conditions aggravated by water
• Severe Cardiac Insufficiency - depressing without Tonic Friction and Precordial Compress

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

Sedative

• equalises circulation by reducing the amount of blood in brain and spinal cord
• Temperature varies according to skin temperature and to a lesser extent season.

• in Insomnia
  • Patient must always be warm beforehand especially feet
  • 35-36°C, 15-30min or longer in quiet, warm room
  • stretch sheet across top of bath to avoid drafts
  • finish by lowering water temperature to 34°C
  • dry with a sheet immediately on rising
  • use no percussion or unnecessary rubbing