Hydropathy

Treatment of disease by the application of water, externally to modify the action of the skin, in internally for the purpose of washing out morbid products. Though similar methods have been employed ever since medicine has been studied, not until the close of the 18th century was any systematic use of water as a curative agent made. Even the beneficial results then proved by Wright, Currie, and Jackson failed to establish the treatment. Vincent Prie nitz, a farmer benefited by the use of water, founded the institution of Graefenberg, 1839, and began a movement which rapidly spread over Europe and in the United States. Truth has been much mixed with quackery, but the real advantages of water-treatment in the cure of certain affections are acknowledged by all. Hydrophidæ (SEA SERPENTS). Family of Proteroglypha , living in the Indian Ocean and near adjacent shores. These snakes have a compre ed fish-like body with paddle-like tail. The nostrils are on top of the snout and special valves are arranged to keep water out of them and the mouth. The ventral scutes are imperfectly developed. They are viviparous, grow to a length of eight or twelve feet, and fight furiously while in the water, but are helple and blind when taken out, as in fish IMG:content-0708.jpg:[graphic] Striped Sea Serpent. IMG:content-0709.jpg:[graphic] ermen's nets. Their chief enemies are Sharks and Rays. Their bite is instantly fatal to fish, on which they live, and very dangerous to man or large animals.