Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

Important: these treatments must be persisted with, a brief trial may result in worsening of the patient's condition. But maintain the his courage and persevere. Hydrotherapy often stimulates the nervous system, so the increase in intensity and number of symptoms is to be expected especially in neuralgia, migraine, Tics, nervous attacks where there are "nerve storms".

Never neglect the patient or cause incomplete reactions and the result of patience and time will be a symptomless patient in many cases with the basic disease process reduced.

For Sedative Effects, in noisy, uncooperative psychotics etc:-

• Full Body Dry Blanket Pack
• Neutral Tub Bath 35°C
• Warm Fomentation
• Wet Sheet Pack up to neutral temperature stage

For Nervousness:-

• Patient lies on Fomentations, neck to thighs, for 30min then...
  • Shower and Massage

Always keep the head cool as symptoms will increase

For Stimulation :-

If the patient is very withdrawn begin with lots of tactile stimulation.

• Graduated Tonic Cold
• When the patient shows signs of recovery move onto ...
  • Tonic baths with the above treatments

Always use cold compresses to head and apply before the heat

• Graduated Compress followed by Cold Mitten Friction to ensure a good reaction

from Dr JH Kellogg's Prescriptions...

Pathological Problems:

• Poor General Circulation
• Low Blood Pressure
• Cerebral Hyperaemia with Hyperaemic Headache
• Autointoxication

Clinical Problems:

• Exhaustion
• Fevers
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Indigestion

Contra-indications:

• Very hot or prolonged cold treatments
• Cold to head when face is pale

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

Acute

Problems:

• Cerebral Irritability
• Passive Congestion without pain

Treatment:

• Derivative
• Hypnotic

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

Manic-depressives, paretics, senile, dementia, schizophrenics, alcoholics, with symptoms of:

• sleeplessness
• hyperactivity, extreme excitement, frenzy
• profane, violent, destructive or resistive language

Four types:

1. Hypomania - Bipolar disorder
2. Acute mania
3. Delirious mania
4. Chronic mania

1-3 are all acute and have 3 main symptoms:

1. Elated though unstable, mood
2. Flight of ideas
3. Increased psychomotor activity

Other features complicate the picture and may all appear:

• Irritability
• Suspicions
• Disorientation
• Lack of insight
• Clouding of consciousness with delusions
• Hallucinations

Treatment Principles:

1. Treat the symptoms, each case is different
2. Relatives need to be informed and assisted through this difficult disease
3. While treating investigate for:-
   • focal infections
   • gastrointestinal stasis
   • cardiovascular disease
   • endocrine imbalance
4. Nutritious Aseptic Diet - weigh weekly and keep chart
5. Constipation and retention require careful bowel and bladder regulation
6. Use Sedatives sparingly, basically when hydrotherapy does not work.
7. Use hydrotherapy freely. It often makes restraint unnecessary. Explain to patient. Never use treatment as a threat or punishment.
8. Don't use on exhausted patients as there may be collapse.

Remember that fatigue produces excitement not tranquility, rest is important.

Many patients feel secure in the pack when they feel they are not responsible for their actions

Acute

Use: Pure Sedatives

• Neutral Tub Bath
• Continuous Tub Bath for weaker cases
• prolonged Neutral Pack can be done in private practice and to violent 2-3x/day for 1-3hrs

Chronic mania: manic excitement over a number of years

• usually start after the age of forty

Three changes occur through the course of the illness

1. Tendency to mood fluctuations with relatively quieter periods intervening
2. Reduced overactivity and intellectual productivity with a tendency to stereotypy
3. Transient delusional ideas, indicative of an intellectual weakening

Contra-indications

• Excitant