The American practice condensed, or The family physician : being the scientific system of medicine ... . the invention of which was claimed by the latter, the vapour,generated in a boiler, escaped through a bent tube, furnished with a stopcock, into a small basin or receiver in the lower part of a box. The top ofthis receiver, into which herbs or other articles were placed, as well as theupper covering of the box, was perforated, and allowed the free ascent ofthe medicated vapour into the upper or curtained part of the contrivance,where the bather sat, who either inhaled the vapour, or had it
The American practice condensed, or The family physician : being the scientific system of medicine ... . the invention of which was claimed by the latter, the vapour,generated in a boiler, escaped through a bent tube, furnished with a stopcock, into a small basin or receiver in the lower part of a box. The top ofthis receiver, into which herbs or other articles were placed, as well as theupper covering of the box, was perforated, and allowed the free ascent ofthe medicated vapour into the upper or curtained part of the contrivance,where the bather sat, who either inhaled the vapour, or had it merely appliedto the surface of the skin, according to the situation of his head, whetherin the interior on the outside of the enclosure. The following figure represents a medicated vapour bath, made to steamtwo persons at one time. There is a furnace between the two baths, inwhich the water is put. The steam passes through tubes into the smallreceivers at the sides of the boiler, which contain the herbs, and thence intothe baths, in which the patient is placed. One bath is sufficient for a 60 MEANS OF PREVENTING DISEASE. Many a cold and many a rheumatism attack, arising from obstructed penspiration, might be nipped in the bud by its timely use : in chronic affectionsof the skin ; in St. Anthonys Fire; diseases of the lungs, throat, stomach,and intestines, with which the skin sympathizes so clearly, the judicioususe of the vapour bath is very beneficial. It is also advantageous in mentaland nervous diseases, in which langour and inaction of the skin are usuallyattendant symptoms. The prevalent fear of catching cold, which deters many from using thevapour bath, is founded on a false analogy between its effects and those ofprofuse perspiration from exercise or illness. The latter weakens the body,and, by diminishing the power of reaction, renders it susceptible of injuryfrom sudden changes of the weather; but the effect of the vapour bath isvery different. When not too w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectmateriamedica, booksubjectmedicine
