Our grandmothers were familiar with the therapeutic effects of heat and moisture when they applied hot poultices constantly to an inflamed organ or limb for one or more hours until the tissues presented a blanched, shriveled, and white appearance; if there were signs of the inflammation returning, the poulticing was continued or repeated. They knew very well what the parboiled condition of a washerwoman’s hands indicated after a day’s work in hot water. They were bloodless, notwithstanding their incessant muscular exercise. In case of inflammation, they reasoned, heat and moisture would make the congestion and fever leave if applied long enough. On beginning the use of the hot poultice, the tissues to which its heat and moisture were applied became relaxed, and the parts for the time more congested than before; but our grandmothers did not mind that, as the final result would justify their hydriatic procedure. They well knew that after ten minutes or more a reverse action would take place, and if the treatment were continued long enough the blood-vessels and tissues would show little or no evidence of fever or inflammation. Where chronic inflammation exists, the blood-vessels and tissues lose their normal tone or vitality; consequently, they will require repeated application of hot water as well as other aids until a cure shall have been effected. Another great advantage in the use of hot water is that its application can be interrupted and resumed without detriment to the diseased tissues or organs. Cold water, on the contrary, causes the vessels quickly to contract and expel the blood, but, on reaction taking place, the tissues become more congested than before. In the use of water at a temperature of 120 to 135 degrees, or even more, we have one of the most valuable adjuvants in all stages of proctitis and colitis, and, if a properly regulated plan be pursued in connection with the requisite local treatment, more good can thus be accomplished than by all other means combined. The layman is more or less familiar with the condition of a sore or ulcer in which soft, spongy, or fungous tissues appear, called “proud flesh,” which, on an inflamed mucous membrane, is called granular tissue. Were it not for the usual presence of granular tissue on a chronically inflamed mucous membrane and for ulcerated sections or patches, channels, and stretched or pouched mucous membrane called piles, the proper use of hot water alone would in time effect a total cure in almost every case of proctitis.