Popular guide to the use of the Bath waters. With hints on climate, lodgings, hotels, etc.; full instructions for bathing and drinking the waters; with special chapters on the new massage douche baths; thermal vapour treatment; and massage in its relation to balneology / by J. G. Douglas Kerr.

  • Kerr, John George Douglas.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Popular guide to the use of the Bath waters. With hints on climate, lodgings, hotels, etc.; full instructions for bathing and drinking the waters; with special chapters on the new massage douche baths; thermal vapour treatment; and massage in its relation to balneology / by J. G. Douglas Kerr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    71/132 (page 59)
    depend the result. The old writers ordered the waters in very large doses, as much as three quarts daily ; given thus freely they act as a purgative, in small doses they are apt to produce constipation. It is now the custom to order from half a pint to one and a half pints daily ; this quantity should keep the bowels in regular action. To begin with, the dose should not exceed four to six ounces at a time, and if this is found to agree it should be gradually in- creased till the full quantity is reached. At the Grand Pump Room the water is served for drinking at a temperature of 114° F., and should be sipped slowly till the stomach becomes accustomed to its use, otherwise nausea is apt to be produced. To derive the full benefit gentle exercise should be taken after each drinking. The late Dr. P'alconer, who was a great authority on all matters connected with the waters, so ably describes their effects that I cannot do better than quote his opinion verbatim.* “ When the waters are drunk fresh from the spring they raise and accelerate the pulse, increase the tem- perature of the body, and excite the secretions; and these effects, which are generally manifested soon after drinking them, are more permanent than might at first be anticipated. They have a tendency to pro- duce constipation when taken in small quantities. ‘Falconer, “ The Baths of Bath,” page 39. Effects of Drinking the Water.