Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

see also Cold Sponge

Alternate Sponge

• The two sponges are used in alternation,
• Ice may be used instead of the cold sponge

Contra-indications

• Eruptions
• Marked Pain
• Tuberculosis of Joint

Alternate Sponging to the Spine, Tonic in:

• Respiratory Depression in
  • Drug Addictions
  • gas leaks
  • Collapse
• Cardiac Insufficiency in
  • Toxicity

Revulsives and Analgesic in:

• Nervous System Irritability in
  • Headache and Occipital Headache in Neurasthenia

Alternate Sponge to Joints

55°C 2min, 15°C 20sec for:

• Articular Effusions in
  • Sprains
  • Bruises
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis

Hot Sponge

Vigorous drying is not needed, simply wrap in towel, pat dry

Antipyretic

55-60°C very rapid in:

• Retention Fever
• Night Sweats of Tuberculosis (to chest and abdomen)
• useful before Cold Mitten Friction or Cold Towel Rub
• Squeeze sponge very dry and applied quickly to small area
• Continue, re-wetting sponge every 30 seconds until skin begins to redden
• Apply cold to that part immediately to prevent chilling

Local Hot Sponging in:

• Itching - 55-60°C, add 2 teaspoons of soda to each litre in
  • Urticaria before the eruption

Reflex Haemostatic

60°C or more wet sponge in...

• Epistaxis to face and other reflex applications
• Haemorrhages - use firm pressure
• Suppuration 82-100°C in saturated sponge 5-10 sec. Don't scald surrounding tissue.
• recent Sprains before swelling, ie 2 hours, water as hot as the patient can bear, temperature raised as tolerated.

Mustard Sponge:

Powerful skin stimulation see Mustard Bath

Hot Sponging to Spine in:

• Nervous System Irritability in
  • Spinal Irritation
  • Headache
  • Intercostal Neuralgia
  • Insomnia
  • Neurasthenia

Tepid and Neutral Sponge

Antipyretic in

• low grade Retention Fever 27-33°C, frequent sponging.
• Feverishness and Production Fever 32-37°C

Sedative in

• Cerebral Irritability

Contra-indications

• Eruptions
• Joint Pain

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

Use:

• large soft sea-sponge
• soft cotton cloth
• towelling

Hot sponge:

• Sedative due to atonic reaction,
• Antipyretic in Retention Fever

• water as hot as can be borne
• treat in same order as Cold Mitten Friction dipping several times for each part
• dry thoroughly

Tepid sponge:

• Sedative

Cold sponge:

• Antipyretic in Production Fever

Saline sponge:

• Mild Tonic (stimulates vasomotors more than plain water)
• 120grams of salt dissolved in a bowl of tepid water.
• Bare hands dipped in salt water and each part lightly rubbed.

Alkaline sponge:

• Paraesthesia Relief used locally
• 60grams of bicarbonate soda in a small basin of hot or cool water according to case
• Apply with bare hand or soft cloth

Vinegar and salt sponge:

• Mix 125mls of water and 125mls of vinegar with 1 tablespoon of salt.
• Apply thoroughly to parts that perspire most with bare hand, then dry lightly.

Witchhazel sponge:

• Sedative and mild astringent
• same effects and procedure as Alcohol Sponge

Menthol sponge:

• same effects as Alcohol Sponge
• Use 30grams of menthol liniment (30mls of menthol crystals in 500mls of alcohol) in 100mls of water.