Warm und Kalt
Predominantly < cold:
Abrot. Acet-ac. Acon. Agar. Agn. Alumen. Alum. Alum-p.
Alum-sil. Am-c. Apoc. Arg-m. ARS. Ars-s-fl.
Asar. Aur. Aur-ars. Aur-s. Bad. BAR-C.
Bar-m.
HEP. Hyos. HYPER. Ign.
KALI-AR. Kali-bi. KALI-C. Kali-m.
Kali-p. Kali-sil. Kalm. Kreos. Lac-d.
MAG-C. MAG-P. Mang. MOSCH. Mur-ac.
Nat-ars. Nat-c. NIT-AC. Nux-m. NUX-V. Oxal-ac. Petr. PHOS. Ph-ac. Plb.
Pod. PSOR. PYROG. RAN-B. Rheum. Rhod. RHUS-T. RUMX. Ruta. SABAD. Sars. SEP. SIL.
SPIG. Stann. Staph. Stram.
STRONT. Sul-ac. Theryiod. Valer. Viol-t. Zinc.
Predominantly < heat:
Aesc-h. All-c. Aloe. Ambra. APIS. ARG-N. Asaf. Aur-i. Aur-m. Bar-i. Bry. Calad. Calc-i. Calc-s. Coc-c. Com. Croc-s. Dros. Ferr-i. FL-AC. Grat. Ham. IOD. KALI-I.
KALI-S. Lach. Led. Lil-t. Lyc. NAT-M. NAT-S. Niccol. Op.
Pic-ac.
PLAT. Ptel. PULS. SABIN. SEC. Spong.
Sulph. Sul-i. Thuj. Tub. Ust.
Vesp. Vib.
Remedies sensitive to both extremes of temperature:
MERC. (chronic: < cold/acute < heat). Ip.
Nat-c. Cinnb.
Ant-c. < both heat and cold: < overheating and radiated heat,
though many symptoms > heat.
Labiatae. = Plants of warmth.
Icthyolum: Equal parts of mother tincture and water,
warmed and applied over rheumatic joints to relieve pain.
Calcarea chlorinata – Useful
as local application for boils and carbuncles
Plantago Major – It is a most useful local remedy for
relieving neuralgias, earaches, facial neuralgias (l. sided)
Packungen,
Umschläge und Wickel
Sie sind ein beliebtes und bewährtes Heilmittel.
Unser Körper hat normalerweise eine Temperatur von etwas 36° C. Umschläge und Wickel, die mit Wasser gemacht werden, sollten etwa 10 - 15° C darunter liegen und haben deshalb die direkte Einwirkung auf die feinen Kapillargefäße und damit das Blut, das den entsprechenden Körperteil durchströmt. Durch diese Kühlung der Hautoberfläche erreicht man einen Kältereiz - und damit wird die Durchblutung der Haut gesteigert.
Mit der Haut erwärmen sich auch die für den Umschlag oder Wickel verwendeten Tücher - es entsteht eine feuchte Stauwärme. Dabei werden Krankheitserreger und die Fremdstoffe, von denen der Körper sich zu befreien
versucht, durch den Einfluss der feuchten Wärme gelockert und aufgelöst. Durch die Hautporen dringen sie nach außen. Manchmal kann man dann feststellen, dass Wickel beim Abnehmen einen starken Geruch ausströmen
oder dass das Waschwasser der Tücher trüb wird. Vor allem Umschläge für einzelne Körperteile werden in kalter oder kühlender Form verwendet.
Überhaupt
sollte bei akuten Entzündungsprozessen auf Wärmebehandlung verzichtet werden.
Anregende Umschläge macht man folgendermaßen:
• Das Tuch zwei-, vier- oder sechsfach zusammenfalten.
• In kühles (16 - 22° C) Wasser eintauchen.
• Gut auswringen.
• Auf den zu behandelnden Körperteil legen.
• Diesen dann mit einem Wolltuch umhüllen.
• Liegen lassen, bis der Wickel trocken geworden ist.
Kühlende Umschläge werden so angelegt:
- Das Tuch vier- bis achtmal zusammenfalten, damit genügend Wasser gespeichert werden kann.
- Das Tuch in kaltes Wasser (also unter 16° C) legen.
- Das Tuch nicht auswringen, sondern nassfeucht auflegen. Nicht abdecken.
- Ein kalter Wickel sollte möglichst oft erneuert werden.
Verwendet z. B. gegen Nasenbluten im Nacken.
Armpackungen: bei akuten Krankheiten (Lunge/Brust- und Rippenfells/Atmungsorgane). Es muss immer auch das Handgelenk mit eingewickelt werden. Die Armpackung wird in der üblichen Form durchgeführt: Zunächst
ein feuchtes Tuch, dann ein trockenes, zuletzt ein Wollwickel. Die Armpackung sollte man alle halbe Stunde wechseln.
Beinpackungen: wirken ableitend und werden bei chronischen Leiden (Blutandrang im Kopf/Kopfschmerz/Schwindel/Hals- und Lungenbeschwerden/Gicht- und rheumatische Beschwerden, Blutstauungen in den Beinen)
eingesetzt. Beinpackungen sollte man mit einer Wassertemperatur von 18 - 20° C durchführen. Das ganze Bein wird bis zur Mitte des Oberschenkels eingepackt, die Füße jedoch nicht. Zuerst kommt die feuchte, dann die
trockene Unterlage und dann die Wollumhüllung. Immer beide Beine eingepackt werden müssen - auch dann, wenn nur ein Bein erkrankt ist.
Fußpackungen: werden bei Gehörstörungen/Augen-/Kopfschmerz (die auf Blutmangel im Gehirn zurückzuführen sind) angelegt. Man nimmt zur Fußpackung am besten baumwollene nasse Socken, die man mehr oder weniger auswringt, dann anzieht und darüber noch ein oder zwei weitere Paar wollene Strümpfe zieht. Fußpackungen legt man am besten während der Nacht an. Man kann sie (wenn sie nicht vorher lästig werden) bis zum nächsten
Morgen tragen.
Fußwickel: Ungesunde Ablagerungen (im Bereich der Beine), werden durch Fußwickel ausgeleitet (Beingeschwüren). Fußwickel kann man kalt o. warm anlegen. Dabei wird ein serviettengroßes Tuch 1 - 2x um den Fuß bis
zur Höhe des Knöchels gewickelt. Das Tuch sollte sehr feucht sein, jedoch nicht tropfen. Anschließend wird es mit einem wollenen Tuch umhüllt und gut abgedeckt. Fußwickel werden 1 - 2 Stunden am Fuß gelassen.
Halswickel: bei Husten und Heiserkeit, bei entzündeten Mandeln sowie Rachen- und Kehlkopfbeschwerden. Für Halswickel faltet man ein Tuch zwei-, vier- oder sechsmal und taucht es in Wasser von 19 - 22° C. Das ausgewrungene Tuch wird um den Hals gelegt, ein trockenes Tuch kommt darüber sowie ein Wollschal.
Handpackungen: einen erregenden o. beruhigenden Einfluss und wirken sich besonders auf die Durchblutung aus. Man kann die Handpackung mit der Fußpackung vergleichen. Sie wird ebenfalls warm oder kalt angelegt.
Bei einer kalten Packung sollte es jedoch Voraussetzung sein, dass die Hände warm sind. Sind sie dagegen kalt, wird man immer eine warme Packung anlegen. Auch bei der Handpackung gilt: Immer werden beide Hände eingewickelt, niemals nur eine Seite.
Kopfwickel: besonders bei Kopfschmerz, bei Migräne, bei allen Zuständen, die auf eine krankhafte Verengung der Blutgefäße zurückzuführen sind, ein leider sehr in Vergessenheit geratenes Hausmittel. Die Kopfpackung
sollte mit einer Wassertemperatur von 18 - 20° C durchgeführt werden. Vor dem Schlafengehen legt man ein nasses, gut ausgewrungenes Handtuch auf Stirn und Kopf und wickelt einen dicken, wollenen Turban darüber.
Die Kopfpackung bleibt bis zum nächsten Morgen angelegt.
Schulter- und Brustpackung: bei Beschwerden der inneren Brustorgane (Lunge/Luftröhre/Bronchien). Zur Schulterpackung wird ein langes, nicht zu nasses Handtuch wie ein Schal von den Schultern und über der Brust über
Kreuz gelegt. Dann legt man die Brustpackung (18 - 20° C Wassertemperatur) an. Die Schalenden des Schulterwickels reichen dabei unter den Brustwickel. Es gilt die übliche Regel: feuchter Unterwickel, trockener
Leibwickel und Wollabdeckung. Bei dieser Packung sind Bettruhe und gute Zudecke besonders wichtig. Nach etwa einer Stunde kann man den Schulter- und Brustwickel abnehmen, sollte aber noch mindestens eine Stunde Bettruhe folgen lassen.
Wadenwickel: bei fieberhaften Zuständen und dient zur Ableitung von übermäßigem Fieber. Beim Wadenwickel wird nur die Wade vom Knöchel bis zum Knie eingepackt, Knie und Fuß bleiben somit frei. Das Wasser für
den Wickel sollte 18 - 20° C haben. Beim Wadenwickel ist es besonders wichtig, dass die Füße warm bleiben, deshalb sollte man in Pantoffel schlüpfen, warme Socken anziehen oder eine Wärmflasche unter die Füße legen. Besonders gut hilft ein Wadenwickel, wenn er zusammen mit einer Leib-, Brust- oder Halspackung - und dann über Nacht - gemacht wird.
Vorsicht
Fieberstillende Wickel und Packungen sollte man nicht unbedingt mit sehr kaltem Wasser anlegen. Bei fieberhaften Schüben und einer zu kalten Ganzpackung etwa kann es zu erheblichen Kreislaufbeschwerden kommen.
Je höher das Fieber ist, je empfindlicher und erregter der Patient ist, desto höher sollte das Wasser temperiert sein.
Spezielle Wickel
Man kann für Wickel auch bestimmte Pflanzen und Produkte verwenden, die wir aus der Küche gut kennen und die unsere Großmütter als ganz natürliche, leicht verfügbare Heilmittel ansahen:
Carpalsyndrom. Teer
auf Daumenseite der Innenseite des Handgelenks anbringen mit Pflaster aber ohne
Binde. 24 Stunden bis 72 Stunden sitzen lassen.
Essig: Salv-o. ansetzen in Acet-ac, damit Haut einreiben bei kalter Nachtschweiß
Pappelrinde in Essig einlegen auf Wunden
Milch mit Essig gerinnen lassen/warm auf Haut einreiben/fest abdecken
Ton in Essig anwärmen + als Auflage gebrauchen
Essigdunst einatmen bei Atembeschwerden
Essigwickel bei Hals-/Lungenbeschwerden
Waschungen mit verdünntem Essig bei Fieber
Ricinusölpackung: Auf weiches, oft gewaschenes Baumwolltuch (so groß wie die zu bedeckende Hautstelle) träufeln/direkt auf Haut auflegen. Mit passendem Plastik bedecken und fixieren. Lange sitzen lassen (wenigstes übernacht). Für Husten/Bronchitis/Schmerz in Gelenken.
Die Kartoffelpackung wandte man gegen entzündete Hautstellen, schlecht heilende Wunden, Gelenkrheuma, Geschwülste und Quetschungen an. Je nach Größe des zu behandelnden Gebietes nimmt man bis zu einem halben
Pfund gewaschene, mehlig kochende Pellkartoffeln, kocht sie weich und zerquetscht sie mit einem Gabel in einem Papiertaschentuch. Dieses legt es dann so heiß wie möglich auf die kranke Körperstelle. Mit wollenem Tuch bedecken und ab ins Bed.
Kohlwickel: Kohl und Kohlrabi wirken beruhigend auf die Schilddrüse. Nichts zieht alles „Böse“ so schnell durch die Haut aus dem Körper als ein Kohlblatt/setzte man überall dort ein, wo die Durchblutung gestört ist: bei
schlecht durchbluteten Beinen, bei Geschwüren, bei rheumatischen Gelenkerkrankungen/bei Schmerz im Bereich der Lendenwirbelsäule (Hexenschuss). Verwenden kann man für den Kohlwickel alle Kohlarten, besonders
gut ist jedoch der Weißkohl. Die dicken Blätter werden vom Kohlkopf abgebrochen und gewaschen. Man entfernt die harten Rippen und walzt das Blatt mit einer Nudelrolle suppig (ohne dass jedoch seine Struktur zerstört
wird). Diese feuchten Blätter legt man dann jeweils auf Gelenke, Beine, Brust, Bauch oder Schulter oder auf die Lendenwirbelsäule und fixiert sie mit einem Verband. Am besten macht man Kohlwickel abends vor dem Zubettgehen und belässt sie über Nacht am Körper.
Den Leinsamenumschlag: Entzündungen aller Art (Furunkeln/Eiterherden)/zur Schmerzstillung. Man gibt gemahlenen Leinsamen in einen Beutel aus Gaze, der groß genug ist, um die entzündete Fläche komplett zu bedecken.
Den Stoffsack lässt man aufkochen. Dann legt man ihn so heiß wie möglich auf die betreffende Stelle, bis er abgekühlt ist. Danach wird er entfernt, die Stelle wird aber weiterhin warm gehalten.
Der Heublumenwickel: bei Entzündungen, Muskelverspannungen und Hexenschuss, aber auch bei rheumatischen Erkrankungen, Gelenkbeschwerden und Gicht. Heublumen sind eine Mixtur aus diversen Gräsern mit einem
hohen Gehalt an ätherischen Ölen. Diese werden in einen Leinenbeutel eingefüllt und mit Wasser aufgekocht. Dann lässt man sie zehn Minuten ziehen, drückt den Leinenbeutel aus, legt ihn sehr warm auf die schmerzende Körperstelle und deckt diese mit einem trockenen Wolltuch gut ab. Nach der Anwendung ist es ratsam, sich auszuruhen, da der Heublumenwickel sehr müde machen kann.
Der Milchwickel: stammt aus Russland. Entzündung der Gallenblase helfen. Ein Tuch (groß genug, um den Raum zwischen Brustbein und r. Körperhälfte zu überdecken) wird in frische, kalte Milch getaucht. Es soll gut
feucht sein, aber nicht tropfen.
Dieses Tuch wird dann so auf den r. Rippenbogen gelegt, dass dieser etwa 2
Zentimeter überlappt wird. Der Milchwickel wird erneuert, wenn er warm geworden
ist.
Compress: Yarrow: Make a strong tea of yarrow, and let it warm down to
102° F. Take a cotton cloth and soak it in the tea. Wring out the cloth and
place it folded over the liver area up to 20 minutes.
Ricinusölpackung: Auf weiches, oft gewaschenes Baumwolltuch (so groß wie die zu bedeckende Hautstelle) träufeln/direkt auf Haut auflegen. Mit passendem Plastik bedecken und fixieren. Lange Zeit sitzen lassen
(wenigstes übernacht). Für Husten/Bronchitis/Schmerz in Gelenken.
Der Senfwickel: bei Bronchialkatarrh, bei Erkältungskrankheiten, Lungenentzündungen und Lungenstauungen, bei Kreislaufstörungen oder Atemnot verwendet. Er wird auf Rücken oder Brust aufgelegt. Man nimmt
gemahlene Senfkörner, rührt sie mit lauwarmem Wasser an. Diesen Brei streicht man direkt auf die Haut und deckt dann mit einem Handtuch und dieses wiederum mit einem Wolltuch ab. Der Wickel bleibt so lange auf der
Haut, bis eine leichte Rötung entsteht (etwa 5 - 10 Minuten).
Vorsicht
Empfindliche Menschen können von einem Senfwickel Blasen bekommen. Auf jeden Fall die Haut nach dem Wickel mit kaltem Wasser abwaschen. Danach sofort warme Kleidung anziehen oder gut abdecken.
Man kann dem Senfwickel auf ein Drittel Leinsamenmehl beifügen, dann wirkt er nicht so stark.
Der Quarkwickel: Hautreizungen durch Sonnenbrand, Allergien oder Ausschläge und Brustentzündung. Er kühlt, lindert das Brennen sowie den Juckreiz und bringt die Rötung der Haut rasch zum Abklingen. Außerdem pflegt
er die gereizten Hautpartien durch die Eiweißstoffe und Fette im Quark. Man trägt den Quark dick auf die betroffene Stelle auf und deckt sie mit einem leicht angefeuchteten Tuch ab. Um den Kühleffekt zu erzielen, wird kein trockenes Wolltuch darüber gelegt. Die Anwendung sollte 20 - 30 Minuten dauern, wobei die Quarkauflage gewechselt werden sollte, wenn der Wickel warm geworden ist. Statt Quark kann auch Buttermilch/Joghurt verwendet werden, dann muss die Auflage allerdings öfter gewechselt werden, da die kühlende Wirkung schneller nachlässt.
Der Zwiebelwickel: wurde bei allen entzündlichen Zuständen (nicht Nierenentzündung/Diabetes) eingesetzt. Er soll auch gegen Bronchialkatarrh, chronischen Husten, Lungenentzündung, Blasenentzündung, Ohrentzündung
sowie Stirnhöhlen und Nasennebenhöhlenkatarrhen helfen.
1. Für diesen Wickel schneidet man frische Zwiebeln in dünne Scheiben und legt sie in ein Säckchen aus porösem Stoff (z. B. Gaze). Über einem Wasserbad wird es stark erhitzt; das Säckchen sollte aber nicht mit Wasser in Berührung kommen. Das erhitzte Zwiebelsäckchen legt man sofort auf die entzündete Stelle und deckt sie mit einem Wolltuch gut ab. Damit es nicht verrutscht, sollte man es gut fixieren. Zwiebelwickel wirken besonders gut, wenn man erst im Anfangsstadium einer Krankheit ist, denn sie ziehen Giftstoffe aus dem Körper heraus. Der Zwiebelwickel wird etwa 15 bis 20 Minuten angelegt. Wenn die Zwiebeln kalt sind, wird er abgenommen.
2. Rohe Zwiebeln in Ringen schneiden und auf schmerzhafte Stelle auflegen. Mit Wolltuch bedecken. Eventuell bei Erwärmung der Zwiebel erneuern.
Yarrow. Compress and Nutritive Bath
‡ Folgendes hat anthroposofische Einschlüße ‡
Frei nach: Eileen Bristol
Yarrow Liver Compress
This compress is useful for supporting liver function. It should be
applied regularly over a period of time. You may want to begin with daily
applications for one week and then continue for a few more weeks, 3x weekly for
a month or more. In serious chronic conditions, you can continue 1 to 3x weekly
for the duration of treatment. At anthroposophical
clinics in Europe, many patients will receive a daily yarrow compress over the
liver during the
rest period after lunch throughout their entire hospital stay.
These directions offer a simplified version which anyone should be able
to do at home, for themselves or another.
Gather the following:
1. hot water bottle
2. dried or fresh yarrow (whole plant or whatever is available)
3. a piece of cotton cloth (from an old sheet or T-shirt is fine) large
enough to fold and cover the liver area (on r. side, below the breast, ext. a
little below the rib cage, above the navel and ext. around the side closest to
the bed with the patient lying).
4. If you have nothing else, use a soft, clean washcloth.
5. another piece of non-synthetic cloth for a wrap, not too thick (so it
will be comfortable underneath the patient) and large enough to cover the area
of the compress and wrap around the entire torso 1- ½ x, overlapping enough to
tuck snugly or pin together comfortably with diaper pins.
6. diaper pins - if wanted
Gather together your supplies in advance. Pick a time which is either
bedtime or a time when the patient can lie down for about an hour. Open the
long wrap and spread on the bed, correctly placed so it will wrap around the
torso and cover the liver area. If you are doing this for someone else,
have them lie down and wait. Be sure the room is comfortably warm and there is
no draft.
Fill a hot water bottle ½ full with hot, not boiling water. Screw in the
cap partway. Carefully squeeze out the air until the water rises to the top.
(Avoid burning yourself with the hot water) and screw in the cap. If you leave
the
air in it will swell up like a balloon as the air heats up. Wrap the hot
water bottle in a towel and set aside.
Boil a quart of water and steep 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dried herb
(more if fresh). Wrap the herb in a small handkerchief or piece of cheesecloth
and tie with a string or twist-tie to create a sort of teabag. After 5-15
minutes, remove the yarrow and then dip the compress (small) cloth into the tea
and quickly wring out, as dry as possible. You may want to wrap a towel around
the compress cloth or wear very thick, lined rubber gloves as you wring
it to avoid burning your hands. Flap it quickly against the patient's
skin so that they can adjust to the heat and then apply directly on the skin
over the liver area with the patient lying on the wrap cloth. Immediately bring
the
wrap around to cover the compress and tuck or pin snugly, but not too
tightly.
If you have placed the long wrap on the bed with the ends that extend
beyond the sides of the patient rolled up like a scroll, it is possible to
unroll it quickly and smoothly when the compress is in place. Place the hot
water
bottle, wrapped in a small towel, over the liver area. Pull the covers
up over the patient and have them rest. After 20 minutes remove the hot water
bottle. Continue to rest another 40 minutes, or go to sleep for the night.
When you remove the compress it should be dry or nearly dry. The body's
heat will have dried it out providing you have wrung it out sufficiently.
If you are doing this for someone else, it is a wonderful help to
experience it once yourself so you will better understand the process. Always
be calm, but cheerful and gentle in your work. Remember, a rhythmical frequency
of application will increase the benefits. The procedure may seem
complicated at first, but once you have done it a few times it becomes very simple.
Chamomile wrap:
Recommended for: Stomachache and pain.
Contraindications: Do not use when there is fever, or infection in any other
part of the body.
Materials:
Boiling water
Chamomile Flowers
Strainer
Silk/Cotton wrap
Wool wrap
Wringing Towel (tea towel)
Bowl
Wool blanket
Fork
Procedure: Put a handful of chamomile in the strainer. Roll the silk
wrap from both ends and place it in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the chamomile
into the bowl with the wrap. Take the wrap out with a fork and put into
the wringing cloth. Wring until no longer dripping.
The patient should sit on the blanket with the wool wrap lying flat on
top of it. Apply the chamomile wrap as tolerated, but do not burn. Start at
the back and unroll as you move around to the sides. Have the patient lie down
on the wool wrap and continue unrolling the hot wrap over belly.
Quickly cover with the wool wrap, then cover the patient with the wool
blanket. Be sure that none of the hot wrap is exposed to the air.
Leave on for 15 minutes. At this point you can remove the whole thing or
just the wet wrap, leaving the wool wrap on the patient.
Nutritive Bath
This bath can be a help in restoring someone who is in an exhausted or
weakened condition. It can be repeated daily for 3 -7 days and then once or
twice a week until the patient is feeling stronger.
Supplies needed:
*1 lemon and a knife to cut it
*1 cup best quality milk available (raw organic if possible, otherwise
the best you can obtain)
*1 best quality egg available (from free ranging chickens if possible)
*a clock or minute timer
Have the bathroom warm, free of drafts. Fill the tub with warm (baby
bottle temperature) water, not too cool, but not hot. Mix the raw egg into the
cup of milk. Pour this into the tub of water and stir in briefly. Place the
whole lemon under water and slice the skin in a number of places to
release the oils. Squeeze it to release the juices. Hold the lemon in one hand
under water or set temporarily on the side of the tub. With large, slow
movements, bring the water into motion in a lemniscate
(figure 8) form. It should not slosh about. If it does, slow down. Continue
this movement no more than a few minutes, only until the water begins to feel
softer.
Try and bring a helpful, positive mood to your preparations. Helping
thoughts and feelings are real and do support the effectiveness of the therapy.
Place the lemon in the water. Have the patient enter the water, submerging
as much as possible. Only stay in the bath 7 minutes maximum. This
should be a peaceful, quiet time without other stimulation than the bath
itself. This allows the patient to fully experience the qualities of the
therapeutic
bath. A young child, of course, should be allowed what is needed to
enjoy the bath, such as a tub toy. It will feel good and the patient may wish
to stay in longer, but it can have a tiring effect to stay in too long.
Have the patient dry off without rinsing. Pat and don't rub. The silky
quality of the bath water leaves the skin soft to the touch and is not sticky as
one might imagine. Have the patient go to bed to sleep immediately, being
sure that they have sufficient covers to feel snug and cozy. You do not, however, want the patient to sweat.
Always be sure and to maintain a patient and positive mood. If you are doing
this for someone else, it is helpful
for you to experience it once for yourself. It is wonderful!
‡ Folgendes hat anthroposofische Einschlüße ‡
Frei nach: Manfred Weckenmann, M.D.
R.S. frequently referred to external applications. Experiences with
those used in natural medicine are assessed in relation to the principles of
spiritual science. The subject will be limited to packs, compresses, partial
baths, showers, etc. The external applications under consideration always have
a temperature aspect. Issues of hypo- or hyperthermia are not considered, as
these tend to be emergency measures used in cryo- and
thermotherapy.
It is customary, but unsatisfactory, to explain those applications with
biochemical concepts such as absorption and elimination since the amount of
matter transported is minimal. There remains the principle of sensory
perception. If this is accepted, one has to think in terms of an
unknown, subconscious, sensory sphere.
Cool principle: acid, salt-like or earthy medicines
in a cool medium [cool, white cheese (= Quark), damp and cool Oxal-a.].
Used to treat serous/diffuse/superficial/exanthematous
inflammatory changes with and without allergy (urticaria/acute
eczema/erysipelas with and without hyperreactivity in
the interval/and for ergotropic asthenics/here
is the transition to sea climate, saline and carbon dioxide therapies.
Cold applied to the skin does not make skin grow cold because the cold
penetrates into the skin (cold temperature transport in the skin is minimal)
but because vasoconstriction develops. The body actively cools the periphery
down. This is primary imitation of the cooling principle by the organism (own
coolness). The coolth principle thus addresses the
powers of the peripheral human being in the periphery. These are cooling -
configuring –
perceptive (R.S.).
Warm principle: alkaline, sulfurous,
oily, acrid substances in a warm medium. [hot oil packs and mustard packs]. To
treat purulent, more granulomatous, inflammatory
processes in the periphery (whitlow/boils/
purulent processes in the respiratory tract/colics/ degenerative processes in the locomotor
system.
Duration of the application - more or less without interruption (white
cheese compresses (= Quark) until the inflammation has gone down, or in
intermittent series (daily, every second day, with cool showers and fango
packs).
The pathology reflects this division insofar as the first is used for
acute conditions close to the site of application (erysipelas, coolth principle) and the second for chronic processes away
from the site of application
(asthenia, coolth principle; metabolic
conditions, warmth principle).
Uninterrupted use for acute processes close to
site of application
Concerning the effect of cold applications, the ability to perceive needs to be
restored, replacing the pathologic irritation (serous, superficial inflammatory
change). In physiologic terms, this means that protopathic
(sensing
pain, pressure, heat, or cold in a nonspecific manner, usually without
localizing the stimulus) sensation should become epicritical
[relating to sensory nerve fibers that enable the
perception of slight differences in the intensity
of stimuli (touch/temperature)] perception again. We also may say that
with superficial, serous, exudative, catarrhal
inflammation, the inherent form process is "broken", and foreign form
enters too deeply [lesions in the
catarrhal mucosa during colds/hayfever/eczematous
and urticarial surface changes with the "natural
process imposing form"].
Serous inflammation, which is loosening and diffuse, is "structured
in cold" in response to a coldness stimulus by the organism's own cooling
process (cool lemon juice poultice as example). The inflammatory process is
"slowed down" to the point of sense-organ development [development
of an eye (R.S.)] or: acid acts forward from behind (R.S.), i.e. via the
nervous system, to give form, or: the astral body is introduced into the ether
body
again [hayfever (R.S.)]; or: the I is
connected with its peripheral supporting structure again and consolidates it
(R.S.). Therefore, this is treatment consisting of an imitative, local
counter-effect imitating the initial stimulus
given by treatment, (active cooling following the application of cold;
counter action, own forms versus foreign forms/locally: peripheral stimulus for
peripheral disease processes.
Warmth works in an analogous way. Granuloma is
a typical inflammation with focal development. It is an organ-like form (organoid) of some duration in a functional sphere that
should still be largely flowing by nature –
seen in the metabolic process, a premature organ or micro-organ
development (R.S.). A different form is imposed (segregation from the blood
circulation by stasis, (migrant) cells settling in the granulation wall,
increased
density, central necrosis (imitation of gastro-intestinal organs) in a
connective tissue region which otherwise is more fluid. Local heat is applied
in this case (alkaline substances such as a "soft soap bath").
"Self-digestion" is stimulated by the inherent heat of the
primary reaction, with the organism's heat core decentralized. A kind of
intermediate digestion is stimulated (change/movement/will = fluxion instead of
stasis).
With this treatment, the organism again imitates, as with a cold
stimulus, but this time a warming process triggers the heat stimulus
(self-warming) but locally stimulates a counter process to the pathological
changes –
form is dissolved.
Hot applications for purulent inflammatory changes often meet with
objections, as people think that when something is hot and you add more heat
you get extreme heat; considering heat equal to inflammation, they think
the inflammation will increase. That is not the case. Even Kneipp wrote that heat limited the inflammatory focus. I can
confirm this for the heat of inflammation and natural body heat differ in
quality. With heat therapy,
blue-red stasis changes to pale red fluxion, with the granulomatous process dissolving. Application of ice to any
inflammation should be avoided.
Serial applications
to treat chronic processes distant to the site of application
The secondary reaction to the coolth principle is a
reactive hyperemia taking the form of
contra-regulation. It follows a circadian pattern. During the day (morning),
reactive hyperemia is weak; toward evening and at
night
it is marked because the warmth organism tends
to centralize in the mornings and decentralize at night In other words,
sensitivity to cold stimuli is greatest in the mornings, sensitivity to heat
greatest at night.
This is why procedures to induce sweating
(sauna) are effective at night, ischemic (decrease in the blood supply to a
bodily organ/tissue/part caused by con-/obstruction of blood vessels) reactions
in the mornings; (R.S.) thus, the stimulus can be kept to a minimum. The
physiological warmth pattern becomes excessive in pathologically ergotropic asthenics (and a rise
in temperature brings rigors).
Heat has a counter-regulation similar to that of cold. The skin does not
grow hot in a site where local heat is applied because heat penetrates but
because the organism is decentralizing its own heat. More heat then radiates
off,
i.e. secondary cooling as a reaction. This is why people like hot
showers rather than cold when they have grown overheated in endurance sports.
This goes to extremes in trophotropic (the movement
of cells in relation to food
or nutritive matter) pyknic (short stocky
physique) patients (and when a temperature goes down).
Serial applications of cool or warm material have a polar opposite
action. Application is made in the periphery, the effect is in the central,
metabolic sphere. This is evident in someone with a metabolic condition who has
problems coping with matter, which provides the basis for colics and degenerative changes in the locomotor
system. It is always a matter of movement being inhibited.
What kind of metabolic disorder do we have in an asthenic?
His metabolism is rapid, e.g. with ingested fluids rapidly eliminated, tendency
to run a temperature, stage fright, etc. but the metabolism does not manage
trophotropic body building, so the individual is
underweight, weak and easily exhausted. Anabolism cannot extend to the form
processes. How does this relate to the world?
Cold is the sense form that enables us to take root in the temperature
aspect of the world. Our senses are rooted in the world (R.S.). [The
corresponding part of the plant is the root (R.S.)]. It roots in the soil; we
root in the temperature aspect. Cold is its sensory sphere. When R.S. spoke of
heat he was always referring to both hot and cold temperatures. He said, for
instance, that a cold was heat poisoning (in light of the above: poisoning with
an aspect of heat). Cold is the sense form with which we root or are rooted
in cosmic heat. What is the situation if we have a pathologically ergotropic asthenic? He seems to
me to be poisoned, overcome by the world's
coldness. But why? Because his own heat is too centralized; he therefore
tends to overheat at the center, develop stage
fright, get heated over his work and on movement, but he does not let this go
out toward the world.
His periphery is cold, "painfully" exposed to sensory
impressions. In other words, the heat configuration of an asthenic
is not sufficiently embodied as "heat substance, heat energy". This
is a disorder of anabolism at heat level.
The following show differentiation. With eczema and catarrh, the form
principles of heat themselves fail = the cold side of self-configuration [heat
ether of the upper organization (R.S.)]? These powers are not weak in the
asthenic, but they cannot embody properly because
insufficient metabolic heat is there to meet them (measurable temperature) -
peripheral "heat malnutrition". The slight build is a consequence of
this. It is a weakness of the I acting from inside, struggling to gain mastery
again in the central fever (R.S.), mastery of all the external stimuli that
beset the asthenic. Ergotropic
asthenics like to be warm, but heat does not have
healing properties for them,
just as cold does not for trophotropic pyknics who like it cool.
The therapeutic principle is as follows. Asthenics
treated with carefully-measured, serial, cold stimuli will increasingly develop
an adaptive tolerance to cold, "learning" to decentralize their body
heat in response to a cold stimulus. As a result, they respond to a cold
stimulus by warming up the periphery and not with "shock-like cold".
It is an exercise and must, therefore, be done in series. It is the method used
in natural medicine. Thus, we
have a therapy based on polar opposition, the aim being reactive
warming. The principle is that the patient must never feel chilly or be cold
afterward. Kneipp made his cold stTimuli
more and more subtle, having found
that the most important aspect is getting warm again afterward for this
indicates a healing process.
The situation appears to be similar with the application of heat, though
as far as I know there is not so much experimental evidence. The reactive
periods seen with thermal baths do, however, suggest that a principle of polar
alteration lies at the back of it. The organism normally produces sufficient
heat in the metabolism to enable the I to interiorize the will and change it
into action in metabolism (R.S.). People with metabolic disorders do,
however, have problems with intermediary "digestion": matter
lies inactive in it [as a "parasitic heat focus" (R.S.)]; (parasitic,
meaning not the body's own); fat, not heat and, therefore, cool - the latter
because heat is radiated
out in a process of decentralization, cooling down centrally, which has
been established by thermometry.
During the night, the decrease in body heat reaches a maximum
physiologically (pathologically) if there is pathology, the central organism
becomes subject to matter. Hence the problems people with metabolic diseases
have during the night (colic/arthritic pain at night > from movement). In my
opinion, the treatment goal is to achieve adaptive alteration of the organism
with serial heat therapy so that the central body will not cool down so much
during the night. Because of the circadian phases, the treatment should be done
at night (vs.), but the patient should not develop a sweat. R.S. prescribed the
application of heat at night (which is often a problem in hospitals).
He also said, however, that adipose subjects should not develop a sweat
(in my opinion, because sweating will enhance the warming-up effect).
Such serial treatments are polar by nature:
1. because the stimulus is applied in the periphery while the effect is
directed at the central (metabolic) human being;
2. they involve a secondary reaction which is the opposite of the
primary reaction;
3. the interval between stimuli is the actual therapeutic principle.
Respiratory tract diseases.
Sea climate as a therapeutic principle for the above-mentioned
respiratory tract conditions in the catarrhal/allergic subacute/chronic
stage points to the cold principle. Local and polar actions appear to combine
(if one uses
saline and lemon packs) - "almost locally" to enhance the
lung's own form principles (not those of respiration) and "almost
polar" in terms of form nutrition coming from the metabolism in accord
with ergotropic asthenia
(v. pink puffer).
Purulent bronchopneumonia, is often seen in trophotropic
pykno-athletic types. Here, the heat principle seems
indicated (oil/volatile oil/mustard pack). As with the cold principle, the
approach to treatment appears to be
"almost local" and "almost polar" - resolution of inflammatory
changes that are more granulomatous, chronic and destructuring and stimulation of a metabolism tending to be
sluggish (blue bloater).
Crises
Crises must always be expected, certainly with polar serial treatment utilizing
the secondary reaction, because reactive periods are set in motion. In view of
this, aggravation does not mean the wrong treatment has been chosen.
The above is meant to encourage individual inventiveness and experience. The principle has proved effective for me but has to be checked in each individual case. Questions that remain include:
1.
What
is the situation with "derivative" treatment, e.g. mustard foot baths
for migraine?
2.
How
should one choose the site of application? Should one apply the coolth principle always cranial to dorsal and the heat
principle distal to ventral for polar therapy, or the other way round? Which
parts of distal extremities are dorsal and which ventral?
To apply cold things to the body (cool, damp Oxalis compresses
R.S.), initially goes against the grain. R.S.: says somewhere that all external
herbal applications should be of body temperature up to cool, otherwise the
action of the herbs is destroyed.
Only volatile oils (oils - sulphurous?) might be applied warm. It needs
the right dosage for cool Oxaliy pack on the abdomen.
They should have a slightly cooling action that is local and acute, but the
patient should never feel chilly; otherwise, the body's own cooling process
maybe replaced by foreign cold. Asthenics need serial
applications, possibly also to the abdomen, but in such a way that reactive
warming occurs.
A personal experience may illustrate this. I tried to take cold showers
all through the Winter because of cold extremities. And I did something even
"worse" and tried to walk barefoot in the snow to the hospital every
day, hoping to retrain my cold feet so that they would be "Eskimo"
feet and immediately develop reactive warmth in the cold, more or less like
dogs' paws. It did not work. The reason was that I did not take account of
something which I have now taken into account this winter. I put my clothes on
the central heating body and immediately put on warm clothes after the cold
shower. Then it worked well. Kneipp said one should
use cold applications but then put the patient to bed once more in the morning
(this was something I could not do).
Derivative (copied) treatment tends to be seen as a mechanical matter of
blood distribution. I do not think so. As stated above, all thermal stimuli
address primarily the human heat organization, with the blood taking its lead
from this. It will follow warmth and "shy away" from cold. 1. is a
process of interiorization taking the form of
movement, 2. a process of exteriorization taking the form of stasis (R.S.). The
stimulus applied on the outside always encounters the human I, for the action
of the I via the warmth organization is in will and metabolism or in sensory
perception and form processes. This may indeed be the reason why R.S.
considered external applications so important.
‡ Folgendes hat anthroposofische Einschlüße ‡
Frei nach: Margaret Rosenthaler, R.N.
We live in a time when there is urgent need to concern ourselves with
the question of warmth in the human organism and in social relationships. Because
we are educated to believe that warmth is a result of the vibrations of
molecules, and therefore a by-product of matter, a consideration of this
subject must be prefaced by some clarification as to just what warmth is.
For the ancients, warmth was the highest of the physical elements
because it formed a bridge by which the soul/spiritual could descend into and
work in a physical body. In ancient times such preliminary discussion would not
have been necessary.
The Greek: 4 elements or states of matter: fire, air, water and earth,
behind which they perceived the workings of differentiated spiritual
principles.
"Earth" included anything solid. For instance, frozen water
was "earth".
"Water" described any liquid substance (water and mercury
being the only inorganic liquids of which I am aware which one would experience
in nature),
"Air" was any gaseous substance,
"Fire" anything made of warmth or heat.
The earthly element was the element of death. For a substance to be "earth" it
must have been abandoned by all the other spiritual principles. Take, for
instance, the human body. There are only very limited circumstances in
which you would perceive a human "physical body" without its
being penetrated by the other 3 principles; this you would see only in the
corpse. The whole mineral realm is, from this point of view, a corpse of
something
which was once living and from which life has been withdrawn.
The forces of life find their home or their medium or their field of
activity, in the watery element. Our folklore recognized this in tales about
the "the water of life". All living plants and creatures are formed
out of these
forces of life which use fluids as their vehicle.
Other invisible forces become active in the element of air. As we walk
out of our doorstep in the morning that which most strongly meets us, aside
from the temperature, is a mood brought about by various conditions in the
air and light. We experience the raging anger of a storm, the oppressive
sultriness of a hot humid day and the quickening effect of clear, light-filled
air. All this has to do with feelings, awakeness, and
movement (soul characteristics which distinguish the animal from the plant).
Just so, we experience our feelings mainly in our chest region where we
breathe.
The warmth element carried a higher principle still than the air.
Consider how we experience warmth. We feel that a thing is hot or cold
depending on its temperature in relation to our own bodily warmth. We can
experience temperature through touch on virtually every surface of our body.
The other three elements are not perceived by us in the same way. Only
warmth is perceived outwardly and inwardly.
There is another aspect of warmth. We have all experienced a "warm
greeting" or walking into a room with a warm, inviting atmosphere as
opposed to a cold one. It is not uncommon to describe a person as being
"warm"
or "cold.” These qualities are readily perceptible in the soul
atmosphere around us but not perceptible to our physical senses. However, an
interplay can exist between the soul and physical levels. Being interested in
something
or filled with enthusiasm can physically warm us, whereas we have all
experienced the chilling numbness of fear.
For the ancients, warmth was the highest of the physical elements
because it formed a bridge by which the soul/spiritual could descend into and
work in a physical body.
Our science acknowledges only three states of matter and denies the
fourth - the warmth. Significantly, scientific dogma which denies the spiritual
also is unable to recognize the significance of warmth. This has resulted in
cultural ignorance regarding the proper care and nurturing of that
warmth and is leading to many aberrations both physiological in terms of
illness, and on the level of individual and social soul experience.
Modern medicine plays a crucial role in contributing to this
dysfunction. Think of the drugs given for acute illness: antipyretics (against
fever), antiinflammatories, anti-diarrhea
drugs, steroids, antihistamines, and antibiotics. These have their
consequences. We tend to think that human immunity is something we are born
with, but actually, the protection we have at birth is our mother's (we carry
her antibodies). Our individual immune system is
only gradually developed over the course of time out of our interaction
with the world. Increased warmth, fever, or inflammation is characteristic of
the enhanced activity of our immune system. Our immune function works
in the warmth and serves our individuality or the spiritual part of us.
It recognizes what is "ours" and protects the domain of the
"I". It also distinguishes what is "not us" and removes it
from our organism.
An inflammation in the body is a kind of gesture of enthusiasm (over-enthusiasm
perhaps). The effect of repeatedly extinguishing it through suppressive
treatment has the ultimate effect of "cooling us down" both on the
soul
and bodily level. Its ultimate effect is that the spirit of the human
being finds it harder and harder to express itself in the physical body and to fulfill its tasks on earth. We see it expressed in the
"cool" attitudes of our
adolescents (who in earlier times were more full of the fire of
idealism), and in the increasing difficulty of human relationships. Also,
balance in the realm of soul warmth is lost so that it often gives way either
to coolness or indifference or goes to the opposite extreme in excessive
sexual activity.
Physiologically we see an escalation of illnesses which are the result
of inappropriate cooling. Auto-immune illnesses of increasing variety are on
the rise; immune deficiencies, blood dyscrasias,
chronic fatigue conditions,
and other chronic illness are all increasing. Children are not dressed
warmly enough. Literally because of a "fear of fire" one has great
difficulty finding natural fiber (woolen)
clothes for children.
A new way of looking at illness must be learned. Obviously, the object
is not that a person should seek to have a fever all the time. But if febrile
illness and inflammations are an attempt by the human individuality to take
better hold in the organism we should try to find a way to support the
sick person without inappropriate use of suppressive treatment so that a
greater state of health can be attained after recovery.
Frei nach: W.A. Edmonds
Moist Heat As Therapeutic Agent 1893
Fever and inflammation are practically constant in symptomatic and
pathological association.
Define inflammation: heat, pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness. Of
course suppuration, ulceration, gangrene, atrophy, hypertrophy, and the various
dyscrasias.
Every case of inflammation consists essentially and primarily in a
capillary blood stasis of the part. Physiologist teach us that that innumerable
mesh-work known as the capillaries stands as the half-way place between the
veins and arteries. Whether the motion in these little radicals is a vis a tergo from the heart, or by
capillary attraction, or by a sort of successive vermicular contraction, is
still matter sub judice. We know, however, that upon
the successful transition of the blood through these little tubules
depends the suitable performance of that covert, mysterious performance known
as assimilation and disassimilation - the repair
after waste and wear and the
removal of physiological debris. Now, any hurt or adverse agency,
whether traumatic or toxic, which interferes with the capillary motion is at
once announced by inflammatory manifestations-heat, pain, tenderness, swelling,
and redness.
I believe the theory or idea has been generally conceded that the excess
of blood in a part under inflammation depends an invitation of the circulation
to take direction to the particular locality of the part under affection.
I confuse I have never been able to see either fact or sense in such
explanation. Of course, there is an excess of blood in the part. How does it
occur? I should say it depends upon a failure of the capillaries to send it
along.
They have received a hurt, either traumatic or toxic, and fail of the
part of their function. At first it may be slight; stasis adds to the
obstruction; until, after a short while, obstruction and capillary failure
become so complete
as to arrest all motion, to be followed by extravasation,
death of tissue, suppuration, ulceration, gangrene.
Common-sense would seem to say or indicate that whatever helps the
disabled capillaries in an effort to send the blood along must be palliative,
curative, helpful. Leeches, blisters, cupping, blood-letting have heretherefore
been supposed to be the means to this desirable end.
Moist heat has a range of power and opportunity for such a purpose
unequalled by any therapeutic agent in the whole resource of the curative art,
whether we consider it in reference to power of action or wide range of
applicability.
The vapor bath: nervous disorders, insomnia,
rheumatism and cutaneous affection. Submerging the
entire body in hot water is in the same line and of very great value. In the
early part of the present century an ignorant,
illiterate new York well nigh revolutionized the then prevalent modes of
treating disease by the introduction of what soon came to be known as the
"Thompsonian Practice," Thompson being the
author of the plan. He came
upon the stage of professional action at a time when poor sick humanity
was in agony and despair from the heroical uses of
the lancet, the scarificator, the blister, plaster,
salivation, purging and vomiting. Taking advantage
of the odium attaching to these modes, Thompson and his coadjutors had
for a time a wonderful run of success. His treatment consisted almost
exclusively in the use of the vapor bath coupled with
the abundant ingestion of
hot drinks; so that the patient had moist heat galore internally and
externally. He made abundant cures, but the system gradually fell into disuse
from certain crudities and excesses attending its administration.
The success of hot springs in various parts of the world, of which
"Hot Springs" Arkansas is a reliable example, is simply attributable
to free bathing in hot water and the free drinking of the same on an empty
stomach.
Precisely the same results might be attained in the private family home
if method and persistency could be accomplished in the use of the hot water
internally and externally, with exemption from worry and business cares.
The "Turkish Bath," now so popular as a luxury as well as in
the cure of disease, has its chief resource in the moisture and heat, together
with certain manipulations incident to the administration.
The hot "size-bath," so useful in various pelvic disorders,
has a marked influence upon the condition of the patient generally, while
acting well upon parts locally.
Much the same may be said of a hot "foot bath," doubtful if
the same amount of hot water could be applied to the same amount of external
bodily space elsewhere with the same good result. In a violent acute brain
disorders
a protracted hot head douche will sometimes act like magic. In the
thirst, nausea and vomiting attending many cases of strong fever, nothing so
quickly allays the symptoms as constant sips of hot water repeated for 10 - 15
minutes. Hot irrigations of the intestines, with hot abdominal fomentations,
bring great relief in acute dysentery. In cerebral and cerebro-spinal
meningitis hot-water bags to the head and spine will be found far better
practice
than the habit of freezing the patient to death with ice-packs and
ice-bags. Chronic dyspeptics who suffer from eructations,
furred tongue, bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, constipation of the bowels,
scanty urine, may be
greatly benefited by drinking a large goblet or two of hot water on an
empty stomach at early rising and at bedtime. The water may be mixed with fresh
lemon juice. In very obstinate cases of this kind much may be gained by
systematic hot fomentations over the epigastrium for
two hours at, say, from 19 – 21 h. the applications being renewed every 20
minutes. A good hearty sip of hot water should be taken with each renewal of
the compress.
This plan of hot-water drinking on an empty stomach with the evening
fomentations should be continued every evening from 2 - 4 weeks, according to
the needs and obstinacy of the case. I remember very distinctly getting
this plan and idea some 30 years or more ago from a book on Water Cure,
by an English author, Dr. Gully who enjoyed much celebrity and practice at the
time. It is very remarkable how much hot water may be taken on an
empty stomach, with little or no inconvenience to the individual.
In cool or cold weather it pours away through the kidneys and bladder;
in hot weather it finds additional outlet through the skin in the form of
perspiration, bringing a peculiar sense of cleanliness and bodily renovation,
with improved secretions and excretions everywhere. I have come to attach
importance to the lemon acid addition to the water, as rendering the water more
palatable, and, besides, exerting a good influence on the stomach and
other organs which it may reach. I usually prescribe the juice from half
a fresh lemon to a point of water. Should so much juice put the "teeth on
edge," the quantity must be reduced or taken less frequently.
The whole range of poultices and poulticing,
whether in domestic or professional practice, would seem to depend for efficacy
upon the heat and moisture contained. Every old mother or nurse knows full well
that the poultice
cases to do good when it gets cold. In mastitis, peritonitis, pneumonitis, pleuritis, and the
whole family of furuncles, the good to be derived from the time-honored "mushpoultice"
is attributable to the heat and moisture in the application. A flannel out of
hot water might do just as well, except that it loses its heat and moisture too
soon, necessitating the trouble of too frequent reapplication. I remember very
distinctly a case of infantile pneumonia
which I had visited and prescribed for daily for a period of ten days or
more without success. When I came to make my morning call I was agreeably
surprised to find the child bright and almost well, fro being quite ill at my
last visit. The mother told me in a sort of beg-pardon, apologist
manner, that she had applied a poultice to the patient's chest the night
before. By the way, the best material of all others, for a poultice, is
flax-seed meal. It
retains heat and moisture well, and has oil enough to prevent adhesion
to the skin surface.
We come not to speak of a most valuable use of moist heat in the
management of the various uterine disorders. The use of this agent in the
domain of gynaecology does not seems to have received any special, systematic
attention until within the last ten or fifteen years. Now, it is the fad
of the hour, and, like many other good things in the hands of indiscreet
zealots, has received some misuse in the house of its friends. Many a poor
woman
is to-day being soused, drenched and irrigated, beyond all reason and
propriety, at the hands of those without wisdom or discretion. The abuse to
which a misdirected zeal has brought it, is only an argument or fact that there
is much in it for good as well as misuse. To-day, if I should be offered
the alternative to give up very other known form of local application, or
accept hot water, as my only resource in such cases. I should unhesitatingly
adopt
the hot-water treatment as
against everything else in the local line. Not that I underrate other agencies
and modes, but this much by way of indicating the importance I attach to the
agent I am now commending. I have now
arrived at the point in my daily professional experience where I may say
that I begin the treatment of every case of sexual disorder in the female with
hot water irrigations. These are prescribed for morning and evening
observances, from ½ gallon to 1 gallon being used at each application, from a
fountain syringe. In every obstinate cases I add the use of the hot sitz-bath for 10 minutes every 24 hours.
In constipation of the bowels the colon should be filled with hot water,
once in 24, to be retained as long as possible, jointly for help to both
constipation as well as the uterine disorder. The colon full of hot water for
the time
acts much as a poultice might in behalf of the sick uterus and its
appendages. In the adoption of this mode I do not stop at nice distinctions as
to whether the case be one of cervicitis, endometritis, perimetritis, ovaritis, uterine displacement, or sub-involution. In most
cases of long standing, several, or al of these conditions, exist. Each and all
are benefited by the treatment. Usually this mode of treatment embraces and
exhausts its opportunities in
from 2 - 4 weeks. Protraction beyond this probable limit will not only
be useless but may prove a source of defeat or even draw-back. Any powerful
agent in the treatment of disease has its limit as to usefulness, beyond which
an adverse result may be expected. I beg you to indulge a slight
digression while I say in most cases I conjoin the glycerole
cotton tampon with the hot water, and with great seeming advantage. Indeed, I
sometimes find myself almost at the conclusion that these two agencies are well
nigh equal to the relief of any and every form of sexual disorder peculiar to
the female. In this sweeping declaration, of course I provide exception for the
demands of surgery in case lacerations, abnormal growths and malignant
troubles.
As a haemostatic, hot water has come to be a valuable resource in
violent haemorrhages (from one of the body cavities:
stomach/bladder/uterus/intestines). In such cases it should be used just as hot
as will not endanger tissue integrity, and in bold, large quantities, thrown in
forcefully with a syringe in a continues stream, until some effect shall seem
to have been reached. It is noteworthy that in cases where the hot water may
seem a failure, the
other extreme of cold water will almost surely succeed. Hot # cold water
will almost surely succeed. The alternation of hot and cold water in bad
uterine haemorrhages is sometimes of the very first moment.
As a disinfectant and general renovator about the sick room, it would be
hard to overestimate the value of steam and hot water. It has absolutely all
the elements of success: cheapness, efficiency, promptness, harmlessness.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum