Sambodhi 1998 Vol 21

Author(s): J B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 59

54
SUBHASH CHANDRA DASH
SAMBODHI
stop a wound. He observed this in a forest while the wounded deer injured by hunters come to the spring and stayed there for sometime in the water and the wound stopped. He himself has his own experience that water stopped the bleeding and the pain of his crushed finger in an accident. After this, when any of the animals or people on the farm suffered any external injury, Priessnitz applied cold water as a soothing and healing remedy20. In another accident, his ribs were fractured. The doctors attending him declared that it can't be cured. But by cool water he cured himself fully.
During the early years he treated mainly sprains, fractures, dislocation, rheumatism, liver and stomach complaining and chronic constipation. According to him “not only is water strengthening, refreshing, invigorating, vivifying, cooling and soothing but it also possesses a purifying power – tending to disperse undesirable matter and to throw off poisonous substances within the system21. He insisted on cold water full bath and partial baths of all kinds, the sweating process and drinking of pure water for removing the diseases. He observed that the water cure system is based on natural laws which have direct impact on our body. This also applies to animals as well. Let us take another personality named Sebastian Kniepp (1821-1897) of Germany. He had a private hydrotherapeutic clinic for the treatment of almost all diseases. In his book 'My Water Cure' published in 1886, he describes how he treated people at large by pure water. He claimed that water of different temperature variously applied to the system will dissolve the morbid matter in the blood, leaving the cleansed blood to the experience of freer circulation. He also proved that proper application of water will give the human body power and strength.
The basic principle of Kneipp was very simple. It began with this that every disease arises from blood which either contains impurities or circulates badly. In both these cases, cold water can be used to stimulate the skin to activity so that the diseased matter may be removed and discharged. He used cold water gently and reasonably, usually applying it a half-minute and rarely more than three minutes. He practically cured many diseases by water. As he was a Catholic oriest he practiced the healing art in an unselfish way. And, as the days passed successfully for him of curing a number of patients, he was known as the "priest who heals with water".
Another personality Henry Lindlahr (1853-1924) first successfully captured the