WATER: TREATMENT FOR SICKNESSES

Hydrotherapy means treatment with the use of water in any of its three states: solid (ice); liquid (running water); and gaseous (steam). Water has therapeutic value when its temperature differs with that of the body temperature, thus changing the physiology stability of the body.

1. Sponge bath. A bath given to a bedridden patient for the purpose of removing dirt and waste products from the skin.
Effects: Cleansing; stimulates circulation, lowers body temperature; sedative effect; refreshing effect.


2. Baby's Tub bath. A full immersion bath to refresh and clean the baby.
Effects: cleansing; refreshing; sedative effect.


3. Care of the mouth. The care given to the mouth of sick person.
Effects: maintain good condition of the mouth and teeth; prevent the spread of disease; increases appetite and comfort of the patient; prevent sores and mucous ulcerations; fosters habits of personal hygiene; maintain general health and vitality of the body.



4. Cold Compress. A cold wrung from cold or ice water which maybe applied to any part of the body surface.
Effects: Relieves pain; prevents and relieves head congestion; slow heart rate if applied over the heart; constricts blood vessels and decreasing blood flow; lowers body temperature; stops nosebleed when applied on the nasal area.


5. Hot Compress. The application of heat to a small area with hot gauze or hot compress cloth.
Effects: increases circulations locally; relieves pain; relieves congestion.



6. Heating Compress. A mild, prolonged application of moist heat of several hours duration.
Effects: Relaxes muscles; relieves pain of throat or rheumatic joints; relieves abdominal discomfort; reduces joint inflammation; a mild heat effect.



7. Hot and cold bath for arm and leg. The Immersion of the arm or leg alternately in hot and cold water.
Effects: increases blood flow; hastens healing for unhealed ulcers; hastens removal of waste products; relieves congestions and edema after traumatic conditions; increases oxidation and elimination of bacterial toxins; increases calcification of callus in healing fractures.


8. Contrast local application. The alternate application of hot and cold fomentation to a local area.
Effects: relieves pain through acceleration of local circulation; stimulates healing in local injuries; relieves muscle stiffness and pain; stimulates healing in wounds infections.


9. Enema. The introduction of water into the colon to stimulate bowel activity and to cleanse the bowels.
Effects: stimulates peristalsis or bowel activities; cleanse the colon; relieves gas pain.


10. Fever sponge bath. A sponge bath given to a person with fever.
Effects: reduces fever or lowers body temperature; sedative effects.


11. Fomentation. A local application of moist heat be means of cloth wrung from boiling water or from steam tank.
Effects: increases blood flow to the area; relaxes muscles; sedative effect if applied to the spine; relieves pain; relax spasm or cramps; relieves congestions; produces sweating


12. Hot foot bath. A local immersion bath covering the feet, ankles and legs.
Effects: relieves head, chest and pelvic congestions; stops nosebleed; relieves pain and spasms of the feet and legs; induces sweating in case of fever; relieves menstrual cramps; relieves headache; relaxes the whole body.


13. Hot sitz bath. A partial immersion bath covering the pelvic and the anal areas.
Effects: relieves pain after rectal operation; hastens healing and cleaning of the operated area; relieves cramps and spasms in pelvic region and urinary bladder; stimulates pelvic circulation; relaxes urinary bladder.


14. Hot water bag. A rubber bag or container use to hold hot water for various heat application.
Effects: induces perspiration and relieves muscles spasm; raises body temperature and makes chilling patient comfortable; stimulates circulation in the internal organs and relaxes tense muscles.


15. Ice bag. A flat rubber or container to hold ice chips, used for cold application to a body part.
Effects: constricts blood vessels and slow blood circulation; reduces swelling in contusions and stops bleeding; relieves headache due to congestion and fever; lowers body temperature if applied on the forehead and /or nape; slows down the activity of bacteria in infections; slows intestinal activity in abdominal inflammation and appendicitis; relieves pain in engorged breasts; depresses milk production; prevents swelling and bleeding in injured tissues; slows down heartbeat.


16. Salt gargle. Letting the salt solution roll in the throat for a few seconds.
Effects: relieves throat congestion;s; relaxes throat muscles; reduces inflammation;relieves throat itchiness; relieves sore throat.


17. Steam Inhalation. Inhalation of warm, moist air into the mucus membrane and respiratory tract.
Effects: relieves inflammation and congestions of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract; relieves irritation (throat tickle) by moistening the air; loosens secretions and stimulates expectoration; relieves spasmodic breathing; relaxes muscles and thus relieves coughing; prevents excessive dryness of the mucous membrane.


18. Starch bath. An immersion bath in starchy water for a soothing effect.
Effects: relieves skin irritation; soothes burning and itching sensations; tendency to dry skin.


Ellen G. White, a great author of a health reformation says,

"There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should become intelligent in its use in simple home treatments. Mothers, especially, should know how to care for their families in both health and sickness." {Ministry of Healing 237.2}

I HIGHLY ADVISE YOU ALSO TO READ THE 15 NON-DEITETIC FACTORS OF HEALTH.