more cautious in tampering with the skin, or in any other way disturbing the harmony of the vital organs. It is true that individuals suffering from gout, rheumatism, or some other chronic affections, may sometimes be benefited by treatment at a Water Cure Infirmary;—yet even in such cases the change of air, scenery, diet, and exercise, often contribute quite as much towards the improvement as the bathing and douche.
The indiscriminate use of water to all classes of patients cannot be too strongly condemned. Serious injury has often followed its injudicious use in cases of grave organic affections. Patients of that class often return home to die, much sooner than they would have done under a proper treatment at their quiet homes. Therefore before an invalid sets his face towards one of these falsely-named water-cures, to be packed away for hours in wet sheets, and then drenched, and washed, and sponged, and rubbed, and hung up to dry, he should take the advice of some competent medical friend, and endeavor to ascertain whether, in his particular case, such treatment will be most likely to do good or harm.
