11. Hydropathy
" J'ai commenceo anjourd hui la douche ; e'est une assez bonne repetition du purgatoire." - Mmk. De Sevigne.
For some clays, tlie senior members of the Thornton family were undecided in their plans. Delia was far from well. They could not call upon either of the resident physicians, and they shrank from the idea of sending to the metropolis for medical aid. That would indeed appear as if she were dangerously ill. They seriously thought of going to Saratoga, without knowing whether or not the waters would agree with her constitution. A new idea was soon suggested. The advertisement of the hydropathist had received but little attention. Now, however, that a Clintonian, Mr. Robert Elbridge, had returned from a Water-Cure establishment, with renewed health and vigor, they began to think more frequently of the claims of Priessnitz and his disciples. In vain did Charles call the attention of his parents to the fact that Elbridge had been apparently a confirmed inebriate, and that any regimen, cooling to the system, and interdicting spirit, would probably have cured him. Fruitlessly did lie plead that no good argument could be drawn from such an instance, to prove that the same treatment would be beneficial in a case like Delia's. The young invalid herself was perfectly passive during the deliberations. She had no thought of mental independence. She chose to be led by others. Had she occupied the position of Queen Catherine Parr, when her life was in danger, she would have made no attempt to conciliate the king, to remove the unjust suspicions which had been fostered in his mind by her enemies, but would have ignominiously perished, like two of the former wives of the royal Blue Beard. I will not say that Delia might not have made a more noble character, or that she was yet so far sunk in lethargy that she could not now attain the eminence designed by nature for a rightly directed mind of her caliber.
Charles, as usual, desired Adelaide's opinion. She replied, that so great was her reverence for cold water, that she inclined more favorably to this system than to any other. She had, however, so little confidence in any kind of medical treatment, that she should resort to it only in rare cases. She believed that health was the natural condition of the human constitution, that disease was caused by a violation of its laws, and that the normal state might generally be regained by a return to obedience. She regarded hydropathy as the safest of the extra modes of treatment. She felt confident that many invalids had been essentially benefited by the cold-water practice. Hydropathy was now beginning to attract the attention of educated men, and, to an establishment conducted by one of those, she should not hesitate to resort in any case of emergency. But, whatever hydropathy might accomplish in many cases, it would probably be far from serviceable in Delia's. Her constitution was now so miserably weak, that it could hardly be deemed capable of the reaction requisite for obtaining any benefit from the sudden and prolonged application of large quantities of cold water.
In view of these statements, Charles advised his parents to wait awhile, until further inquiry could be made. In reply to this counsel, his mother indignantly asked whether he wished them to delay till his sister was irrecoverably ill. Charles knew that the plan would be negatived by every allopathic physician. What, then, could be done but to listen to the extravagant stories of Mr. Elbridge, and to read the enthusiastic reports of the hydropathists ? A whole evening was spent in the perusal of Bulwer's eulogistic letter. All listened with wonder at the account of literary labor so severe and so unremitting, that at length not a day passed without its concomitants, pain and lassitude. Triumphant were their exclamations as they hoard of the futile efforts of the allopatnists. When Charles was reading the following passage, "We ransack the ends of the earth for drugs and minerals- we extract our potions from the deadliest poisons - but around us and about us Nature, the great mother, proffers the Hygeian fount, unsealed and accessible to all. Wherever the stream glides pure, wherever the spring sparkles fresh, there, for the vast proportion of the maladies which art produces, Nature yields the benignant healing" - every one felt an instantaneous desire for an immediate experience of the renovating effects of the great restorer.
James proposed three cheers for the " hydropathic romancer." Ella suggested an amendment to her brother's motion, by substituting the words "romancing hydropathist." Before the children could carry their plan into execution, they were silenced by their mother, who dryly remarked that she did not care to have her "parlor turned into a caucus." The discussion of hydropathy was again renewed. It shone in brilliant colors to the imagination of those who had been listening to Bulwer's sparkling epistle.
The document had been read on one of the warmest evenings of July. The Thorntons, in their enthusiasm, could not refrain from fancying that the fabled life of the Nereids was the most beautiful that could be conceived, and that, to be true hydropathists, they ought, indeed, to make their abode in the life-giving element. Even "Delia began to feel some degree of interest in the anticipated marvels of the Water-Cure. Now, the excursion must be planned, and extensive preparations made for a long journey. The idea of going to the metropolis was abandoned. They had the discernment to perceive that the full advantages of hydropathy could be received only in a rural establishment. The institution located in the pleasant town of was, therefore, selected as the one most likely to confer all the benefits of the system.
Great indecision was manifested when the subject of Delia's traveling companion was presented. "Who should accompany her ? Mrs. Thornton bitterly regretted that Georgie was yet in the early stages of infancy. Not being weaned, he could not, of course, be left, even for the sake of her favorite Delia. To take him with her was also inadmissible ; for how could she attend both to her nursing infant and her invalid daughter ! 'No one was willing to trust Delia with only a domestic for a companion. A lady was indispensable. All thought, as Charles did, of his friend at the cottage. "Would Adelaide, who, as Ella declared, was the impersonation of Addison's Fidelia, leave her father? Would she consent to go with Delia ? Charles asserted that Captain Wilmot's health had lately improved to such a degree, that some hope was entertained of his partial recovery ; that Adelaide, with all her other exploits, had made Rose as accomplished a nurse as herself, and that, if some companion could be found for the younger sister during the absence of the elder, their wishes would probably be gratified. Ella, with beaming eyes, begged that she might be allowed to stay with Captain Wilmot and Rose. In consequence of ill health, Miss Adams had appointed the vacation six weeks earlier than usual. Nothing would be more delightful than to work and study with Rose. Charles warmly advocated this plan. Mr. Thornton could not bear the thought of parting with Ella even for a few weeks. Mrs. Thornton, although perfectly willing to send the lawless child from home, did not quite like the idea of permitting her to visit the Wilmots. Both parents thought, however, that in gratitude to Adelaide, if she should consent to accompany Delia, they ought not only to spare Ella, but also to send a char-woman two or three days every week, to perform the heaviest part of the household labor. This plan formed, all were impatient till Adelaide's answer could be received. The self-denying girl at first thought it impossible ; but, her father so perseveringly urged the measure, saying that, besides gratifying the Thorntons, she would herself derive benefit from the jcmrney, after toiling bo steadily for him year after year. Adelaide replied that her life, during the time specified, had been one of great enjoyment. She had learned her own power. Both body and mind had been invigorated by the efforts which she had been compelled to make. But she would cheerfully comply with his wish, especially as provision so ample had been made for his comfort during her absence.
It was then arranged that Charles should escort the two girls to , return immediately to his
duties as teacher, and go for them when the time allotted for their stay had elapsed. This scheme was presently nullified. Those potent personages, the members of the school committee, proclaimed that no holydays could be allowed unless appointed by themselves.
Charles, despite his usual equanimity, seriously thought of sending in his resignation. But Adelaide remonstrated, that she did not think it right, tor so trivial a cause, to abandon pupils who were now fairly under his influence.
An appeal was then made by Delia to her good, quiet father. lie uttered a groan of despair. How could he take a long journey? He declared that he had accomplished no feat of the kind since the occasion of his marriage; when, in order to gratify his wife's wish to be considered fashionable, he had allowed her to drag him from a pleasant room, an easy walk, and the dreamy pleasure of examining his day-book and ledger, to the exciting joys of the coach, the canal, and the steamboat. Looking around for relief, he was, for the first time, impressed by the idea that, if Delia had.had a lover, his services would have been very acceptable at this juncture. He averred that Kalph Waldo Emerson never made a more sensible remark than when he called tiravelmg, the fooV 8 paradise.
Adelaide, who saw his distress, playfully told him to banish it without delay, asserting that she had not once thought of his taking the trouble to be their escort ; that she should not be afraid to go from one end of the civilized world to the other without a gentleman ; that she did not regard the protection of a male companion as at all requisite. What more could a man do than a woman in the matter of securing passages, ordering dinners, and fastening trunks ? Men might be of some use in a savage country, where defensew as needed against robbers and wild beasts ; but in a land like this, their aid was not essential, except in severe toil, such as hewing forests and building houses. All labor, except that requiring mere physical strength, could be performed as well by women.
Mr. Thornton and Charles quite agreed with all Adelaide's propositions. But, when Dr. Leland chanced to hear of them, he shook his head, and said that he should advise the young man not to marry a woman so independent as Adelaide, who would not concede that the sex to which God had given the supremacy was superior to her own, except in physical strength. "With a quiet smile, Charles replied that he would receive the clergyman's lecture with due deference, and depute Adelaide to answer the charges made, and to defend the opinions denounced.
One pleasant summer morning, Adelaide and her charge left home in the cumbrous stage-coach, which ran daily for the accommodation of the Clintonians Their quiet town had not been favored by the introduction of those iron roads which, in the multiplicity of their ramifications, have, as some one has wittily observed, transformed the surface of our country into a vast gridiron. JSTo bar of this great national utensil had yet crossed Clinton. In the stage-coach, therefore, without a single wish for a swifter mode of conveyance, the two girls seated themselves, leaving behind them faces as sanguine as if the fair travelers had been going in quest of the fountain of perennial youth.
Three days afterward, a short letter was received, doubtless written immediately before the departure of the mail. Adelaide wrote that they should reach their destination the next morning, and that the invalid, although fatigued by the journey, exhibited no alarming symptoms of ill health. Delia added a postscript, communicating the important information that the cooking at the hotels was not always in the best style. Several times, however, Adelaide had been so kind as to make biscuits, custards, and raspberry jam, in their own room, so that she had not suffered for the want of home comforts. Charles sent to Adelaide a long letter, of which I shall give no account ; and to Delia, a short one, gently chiding her for deporting so like an epicure. He told her that she was a most miserable traveler, not to be content with the common fare provided for those who voluntarily leave their own culinary accommodations, to encounter the varied experience of the roving multitude, breakfasting, perchance, at a metropolitan hotel, dining at an unpretending farm-house, and supping at a primitive log cabin.
A week elapsed without further tidings from the wanderers. Both families began to feel some degree of disquietude. Their anxiety was soon terminated. One day, as all the Thorntons were on a visit at Captain Wilmot's, the door suddenly opened, and in walked the two young ladies, with as much ease and composure as if they had only been rambling leisurely through the town. The expression of Adelaide's countenance could not be deciphered. Delia, although in good humor, was evidently mortified by some circumstance, and disposed to elude observation. After a few moments of exclamatory intercourse, an elucidation of the mystery was eagerly demanded. Delia half smiled and referred her friends to Adelaide, who briefly said that they reached Mr. Thornton's an hour previous, learned that the whole family were at Captain "Wilmot's, removed their traveling dresses, and arrayed themselves for a walk to the cottage.
" But why have you returned so soon ?" cried Ella.
" Yes, yes, tell us why," echoed half a dozen voices.
" Give us the history of your adventures," called Captain Wilmot.
Adelaide smiled and looked at Delia, who slightly colored, but motioned for her to proceed.
" Adelaide must be weary," expostulated Charles, " we can wait till another day."
"I am perfectly well," replied Adelaide, "and quite ready to give you the desired explanation. Before consulting Dr. Lloyd, the hydropathic physician, we visited several of his patients, and asked as many questions as they would answer. Very many appeared content with the treatment, and confident that they should soon regain their health. Others complained that they were never before so ill. Dr. Lloyd had, however, told them that they must not expect to feel well till they had taken the whole course. I was much impressed by the general aspect of the patients. The habit of moderate exercise, the absence of dietic stimulants, and the frequent application of cold water, had, as it were, calmed all undue nervous excitement, entirely lulled passion, and substituted a species of serenity admirably adapted to promote convalescence."
" Why," interrupted Ella, " are the hydropathists strict with regard to the diet of their patients ?"
" Indeed they are," replied Adelaide, with a mischievous glance at Delia. "The homeopathic rules are quite liberal when compared with these. The true hydropathist will allow no beverage but pure water. Narcotics, and condiments of every description, are forbidden. The patient may not even eat salt. The remaining dietetic regulations are such as would be sanctioned by all good physicians."
"Do the patients ever rebel?" inquired Mr. Thornton.
It was observed that Delia had suddenly become very much interested in twining the honeysuckles, which had partially escaped from their trellis, with the intention of climbing through the window. Adelaide smiled, and resumed, "An elderly gentleman, who had long been troubled with gout, resolved to try the "Water-Cure. He reached the day
previous to our arrival. For a week, he was tolerably compliant. He took douches and abreibungs in profusion, but always groaned when his simple meals were placed before him. Finally, he declared that, not even with the hope of permanent relief, could he submit to the bill of fare. Immediately before our departure, I saw him carefully lifted into his carriage by two servants. His face was purple, and his feet studiously bandaged."
" Oh, the gourmand!" exclaimed Ella.
"Do, Adelaide," demanded Captain Wilmot, " define those hard words which you used. Douches and the other one."
" Those are names of baths. I may as well give you the entire list. The douche is a stream of water descending upon the patient. This, although apparently simple, demands great caution. In some complaints, its administration would be attended with fatal consequences. The abreibung is a coarse, wet sheet, wrung a little, and thrown around the body. Warmth must be produced by friction. The lein-tuch is the simple wet sheet. The patient must be warm when it is applied. It is renewed more or less frequently according to the nature of the malady. Umschlags are bandages to act upon any part of the body as the lein-tuch does upon the whole. They are good for some local diseases. The abgesckreckte is a tepid bath. The sltz is a sitting bath. All these, and several others, are in constant use at the institution."
"Madame de Sevigne," observed Charles, "refers to the douche with horror. Was it the same kind of bath now employed by hydropathists ?"
"The difference was in the temperature. Cold water was not then in favor. The hotwater douche was given to the accomplished letter-writer.
"The most important circumstance connected with the Water-Cure is the 'crisis. One lady, who had not taken the precaution to learn the principles of hydropathy, was very much alarmed by the appearance of numerous boils. Dr. Lloyd congratulated his terrified patient, assuring her that they denoted a favorable change, and, that she might now expect a thorough cure. Various explanations are given to account for the crisis. Sir Charles Scudamore sums up a series of remarks upon this subject, by saying, 'It is very evidently the formation of an artificial disease, with the hope that it may be a substitute for the real one, and cause its removal.' This doctrine seems to agree with some of those taught by the allopathists.
" Being much encouraged by the reports of the patients, Delia felt no repugnance to a consultation with the hydropathist. I gave him the history of her case. He asked a few questions, examined her with great attention, and frankly said that hers wad one of the few cases requiring great caution in the application of hydropathy. He doubted not, however, but that, with care on his part, and attention on her own, she would -soon derive essential benefit. The sweating blanket was first ordered. I will refer you to herself for the description."
Delia slightly shuddered. She would have refused compliance, had she not been desirous of gaining the sympathy of all present, that they might not blame her, on learning the sequel of the story. With a faint smile, she began, "I was placed upon a very hard mattress, and enveloped in a great number of blankets. I was so closely packed in these, that I could think of nothing, save the man in the iron shroud, on the seventh morning of his imprisonment. A burning fever soon ensued. Cold bandages were then applied to my head, but not one of the heavy blankets was removed. After awhile, the disagreeable sensations ceased. Copious perspiration gave relief. I was. directed to drink as much cold water as I could. After this treatment had been pursued till I was nearly exhausted, I was taken out, and rubbed with wet cloths. This bath was repeated several times during my stay. Adelaide willtell you what followed."
With heightened curiosity, the auditors turned toward Adelaide. " Delia," resumed Adelaide, " patiently took the baths, and observed the dietetic rules for three days. Then, being, as she afterward confessed, half-famished, she eat freely of sundry cakes and other delicacies, which, unknown to me, she had secreted in her trunk. Perceiving by her symptoms that his rules had been disregarded, Dr. Lloyd compelled her to acknowledge the fact, and dismissed her from the institution."
"I declare," ejaculated Mrs. Thornton, trotting Georgie so energetically that his face soon gave premonition of rapidly impending convulsions, "how much Delia has to suffer!"
Mr. Thornton was silent, Charles quietly observed, " Delia should have refrained from eating the forbidden fruit."
" She was hungry," pleaded Rose.
"But she should have obeyed orders," said Captain Wilmot ; " my sailors never ventured to violate a command. I wonder at Delia's presumption."
"What kind of a man is Dr. Lloyd?" asked Ella, with the benevolent design of diverting the general attention from her sensitive sister.
" He is quite tall and large," replied Adelaide, "and his countenance looks as if he efery day read Foster's 'Essay on Decision of Character.' He walks around with an air of inflexible severity, and delivers his orders without appearing to imagine that a law enacted by him might be (lis regarded. Napoleon would not allow that impossible was a French word. Dr. Lloyd evidently intends to exelude it from the English language. He thinks that almost every disease may be cured by hydropathy, although he admits that, in some cases, great caution is required in its administration."
"Would he say," inquired Charles, "that he could cure consumption?"
"His pretensions would exceed those of a large majority of physicians. They all maintain that, except in the very first stages, this fearful malady is incurable. Who, indeed, can reasonably anticipate the recovery of a person thus seriously diseased? But, Dr. Lloyd says that ulcers in the lungs may sometimes be healed as well as in any other part of the body."
" Do you believe that doctrine, Adelaide ?"
"I will answer by asking another question. Do you remember what Dr. Perry said of Mrs. Allen?"
" Oh, yes, but I had forgotten. She was out of health for years. Nor is she now perfectly well. The physician long since pronounced her complaint to be pulmonary consumption. A few months ago, a change in her symptoms induced him to propose a consultation. Two distinguished physicians met with him for the purpose of an examination. They published, as the result, that her case was one of a thousand. After suffering frightful laceration by disease, her lungs had partially healed. They asserted, however, that no encouragement could, from this instance, be given to patients affected with consumption. Hers was a case of rare occurrence, acting merely as an exception to prove the rule."
"That was the statement. Although my opinion is not quite formed, I can not wholly avoid the inference, that what was effected on this occasion, by causes unknown to us, may again be witnessed. Still, it is preposterous to hope that a case of confirmed consumption could be cured. Only an empiric would assert that a person thus seriously diseased could ever enjoy sound health."
Mrs. Thornton, who never ventured to let Georgie be away from home in the evening, now plainly announced, that preparations for their immediate departure must be made. These always occupied many minutes, for, even at the time of the summer solstice, the tender mother would carefully envelope the poor child in hood, tippet, and cloak. To complete his traveling costume, mittens were thrust upon his little hands, and an almost impervious green veil drawn over his face. On a former occasion, Adelaide had gently intimated, that his constitution could not be more effectually enfeebled than by a superabundance of warm clothing. In reply to this hint, Mrs. Thornton had angrily exclaimed, " Adelaide Wilmot, do you suppose that you know more about babies than the mother of eleven children?"
Adelaide, on being thus addressed, had longed to say, that the little graves of the deceased infants would never have been filled, had their mother studied and practised the laws of physiology. But she had thought it wiser to refrain. She now also stood in silence, merely pitying the child as he sent up one faint cry for the pure air of which his mother was depriving him. Georgie was finally equipped, and deposited, like a bale of merchandise, in the baby-carriage, which was standing at the door. Ella assumed the office of conductor, and stood playing bo-peep with the little prisoner through his green veil, while the "last words" were exchanged by the others.