“It is a well-established fact that, as the effect of isolation from the stimulus of light, the fibrine, albumen and red blood-cells become diminished in quantity, and the serum, or watery portion of the vital fluid, augmented in volume, thus inducing a disease known as _lukaemia_, in which white instead of red blood-cells are developed. This exclusion from the sun produces the sickly, flabby, pale, anæmic condition of the face, or ex-sanguined ghost-like forms so often seen amongst those not freely exposed to air and light. The absence of these essential elements of health deteriorates by materially altering the physical composition of the blood, thus seriously prostrating the vital strength, enfeebling the nervous energy, and ultimately inducing organic changes in the structure of the heart, brain and muscular tissue.” * * * * * The use of water as a means of curing disease and of preserving health was revived early in this century by Priessnitz and his many followers. In 1896 the oldest of German doctors, Professor and Privy Councillor Adolf Kussmaul, of Heidelberg, refused to sign the programme of the commissioners for medical examinations, because “of hydropathy our young doctor, when he leaves the schools, knows nothing at all.” In the same year Sir Lauder Brunton, in his Summer Lectures at St. Bartholomew’s, testified to the wonderful effects of the wet-sheet-pack; and the late Dr. Carpenter, Professor of Physiology in the Royal Institution, as well as Dr. Wilson and Lord Lytton, have spoken in praise of this very cheap and simple and pleasant remedy which we heartily recommend for the reader’s trial. The late Sir John Forbes wrote most enthusiastically about this and other easy water treatments, which Dr. John Goodman contrasted with the treatments by drugs, stimulants, overfeeding, and so on. As a striking example we may quote his words about Diuretics (which have been among the various means recommended for reducing weight):-- * * * * * “_Allopathic Diuretics._--Squills, digitalis, nitric ether, acetate of potash, broom-tops, dandelion, mercury. “_Hydropathic Diuretics._--Copious water-drinking, hot-air baths, sitz-baths, wet packing, &c. No remedies act more powerfully on the kidneys without injury. Copious drinking of barley-water is good.” CHAPTER VI. AIR AND BREATHING.