The Kneipp Cure. Sebastian Kneipp Kneipp

above said. This bath, too, is of good effect against diseases of the kidneys and bladder, but not so strong as the bath of oat-straw. Its chief effect is on the skin, which is brought to activity by it, and on the interior vessels which it strengthens. This fragrant and strengthening bath, is the proper bath for more aged people, as mentioned under a.)

       dd. Mixed baths.

      Mixed baths, I call those, which are made with decoctions of several herbs, when the due quantity of any of them cannot be had. I have mixed them mostly with decoctions of hay - flowers and oat-straw, having them boiled together. The oat-straw bath becomes the more fragrant for it. I know it will be said: The baths would be good, but the whole affair is too expensive and too troublesome. This objection of one of my readers, would be a just one, if I were to send him to Reichenhall, Carlsbad or any other bathing-place, or if I were to order him to buy the expensive black little bottles with extract of pine sprigs, and to pour out the half or third of the contents into every bath. But, as it is, nobody has the least reason to complain, to make an excuse, or even to object. Even the very poorest, can easily prepare all the baths, and in every case he will have the purest extract, which is nowhere to be had more genuine and unadulterated.

      It was just for the good of poorer, and not wealthy people, that I have been looking out for these baths, in order that they should not be deprived of the benefit of a bath which is of so great influence on health in many cases. There is no necessity for journeys, but only a walk to the hay-rick, or barn, or at the utmost, to the neighboring wood. Nor, are there, for the baths, other expenses to be made than a few steps or a good word. Every farmer willingly gives hay-flowers and a bunch of oat-straw to the poor; no fir-tree refuses to give him its cones and twigs; a wooden tub is among the household furniture of every one, or in case of need, a neighbor would lend it willingly. This will be sufficient as regards the expense.

      With regard to the trouble, I simply ask: Is it less troublesome to yourself and your relations, if, you are thrown on your sick-bed for weeks, or if your neglected, excessively weakened, and never refreshed body slowly faints away? There can be no question about trouble and labor. If anyone thinks it too much to fulfil the least of my prescriptions, I can only call him indolent and lazy. People of this kind would not, indeed, deserve such a bath.

       3. The mineral-baths.

      Here I must say a word about mineral-baths, as I have been asked to do so very often. My humble opinion on that point is this:

      According to all the principles of my water-cure, I cannot agree with them, because I do not approve of anything forced and violent, whether effected from outward to inward, or directly to the inward. My verdict is, and always will be: The gentlest application is the best, let it relate to the water-cures, or to medicines, etc., and if I can obtain my purpose by one application only, I ought not to make use of a second one. We must help nature, help the diseased, or weakened organism gently, not rigidly and impetuously; we must, as it were, lead the sick body softly and gently by the hand, sometimes assist and support it more firmly, but not urge it too much, not drag and push it; we must not insist absolutely upon obtaining a certain thing by our remedies, but only co-operate with the body in accomplishing its work, and then give up this gentle, and gentlest co-operation, as soon as ever the body is able to help itself to proceed alone.

      To give an instance of my system: no doubt it has not escaped any one's notice, that the everywhere known root and wire brushes, the rubbing cloth, etc., have no place in my water-cure. In former times, I used these things, though only in single cases, but I have since learnt that the water, by itself, without these more or less violent manipulations, (with them, the poor body has, besides all its work, also the trouble of bringing the kneaded, and brushed muscles, and the likewise worked skin, to order again) brings on the best effect, provided that it is applied rightly. According to my system the rubbing is done the whole day, and the whole night, by the rough linen or hemp shirt, which, once more, I heartily recommend.

      The name ,mineral bath" already indicates a rigid effect. All these waters, whatever they are called, or wherever they are running, contain more or less, softer or sharper, salts. Such salt-waters, used interiorly, appear to me please pardon the expression - like using a rough brush and granulous sand to cleanse or to polish silver or still nobler metal. Silver and gold are delicate and tender. But is it not the same with the interior organs? One breath darkens the silver; rough means of cleansing hurt, injure it. Under such treatment it may become shining, for the brush and sand take away dust and dirt. Yes, only too thoroughly, and the silver vessels will not stand such treatment, or to speak more correctly such misuse for a long time. I need not explain further, nor say with what sensitive, soft, exceedingly noble metal such waters undertake their cleansing work.

      And what does experience say to my assertion?

      In large bathing - places the deceased are, for the most part, brought to the cemetery, to their last resting-place not at day time but at night; not with singing and music, but quite silently in order not to alarm, or to hurt the feelings of the other poor sufferers. But there are many, very many, carried there. Every year a considerable number of persons die in most of the different bathing-places. He or she, came here for the first time in such and such a year; it did him much good." But the old complaint came, and she or he went there again. In that year he was there for the second time," his relations say, but it did him less good. The complaint came back in a higher degree, and nevertheless he could not be dissuaded from going there for a third time. back visibly stronger; he seemed to be quite cured. But he only came back to die at home." To many the expenses of travelling are spared by an early death at home. This story, and other similar ones, I have been told innumerable times. He who only goes to such places for entertainment's, and for pleasure's sake, need not be afraid about the above said, he only needs to consult his purse, which is subjected to a merciless cure, and most thoroughly pumped out.

      Even common people, country people whose head no longer stands on the right place, i.e. on the humble one, who try to imitate, the better, the learned, the educated and advanced men, do not go to a bathing - place; fortunately, they are prevented from doing so by the lightness of their purse, but they attempt many stupid things. Once a peasant came to me saying: „Well now, I have found out the best means of purifying the body; it is a kind of medicinal water, and I take it often." – „But what is it?" I asked him. With some hesitation he owned, that he dissolved a spoonful of salt in water and took this salt-water before breakfast. It did him good, he said, and he liked it better than the best mineral-water. (Of course, he was an enlightened man with a consumptive purse!) I admonished him; but he would not part with his self-invented cure. He continued to drink the salt-water for a while; but then he got disorder of the stomach and indigestion, poverty of blood, and at last he died, worn out and exhausted, in the best years of manhood.

      So then, be always contented and reasonable, and never envy the rich and noble man, who seems to be in a better state and to have everything he wishes for. That would be foolish and not Christian-like.

      Neither ought you to be jealous, if you see weak or consumptive people etc. go for a so-called change of climate to certain places, to Meran, South of France, Italy, or even to Africa, I always think that the best place for a fish is the water, the most splendid home for a bird is the open air, and the fresh nature. To me the most advantageous, the most favorable climate is the place and the country where God's creative power has formed me. Should the air become too sharp for me, well, then I will try to harden myself; if I fall ill, the water at home will serve me just as well as that of foreign countries. Is it God's will that I shall die, well, sooner or later it must come for all of us; and, as people say, the earth of the native country is less heavy, and in it the repose is better and more peaceful than elsewhere.

      What, then, does experience tell us, concerning such mild and highly situated, airy places, experience which is every year proved anew? I simply put two questions: How many of those who, being really ill, fled there, have come back quite cured? How many have remained in the warmer climates, and have been buried there?

      Therefore remain in your own country, support yourself honestly, and wash yourself daily!

      V.