Bath, Mud

Syn. Bal′neum lu′teum , B. lu′ti , L. Mud-bathing ( ILLUTA′TION ) was common among the ancients. The slime of rivers, and the mud on the sea-shore, were especially prized for this purpose. The Tartars and Egyptians still employ baths of this description in hypochondriasis, scrofula, and scurvy. At Franzenbad, in Germany, an acidulous species of black bog-earth found there, is beaten up with warm water to a semi-liquid consistence, and used as a bath. This is said to render the skin satin-like and soft; and to be useful in debility, and in paralytic affections of a gouty origin. In France, hot dung ( DUNG BATH ) is occasionally used in rheumatism; and in Poland, in syphilis. The husk of grapes and the refuse of olives, after undergoing a partial fermentation, have been succe fully employed in France against acute rheumatism. [115] [115] Mérat and De Lens, ‘Dict. Univ. de Mat. Méd.’