Every Man His Own Doctor

This book by T. Claridge is about hydropathy and the effects of hydropathic treatment on humans and animals. Hydropathy—unlike brandy and salt, mustard seed, and many other chimeras with which its opponents wished to rank it—is not to be put down. During the short period of eight years, its principles have pervaded all society: we can hardly go into any society that we do not find its advocate. The upper classes drink more water and less wine; the poorer classes are beginning to bathe: for this purpose, baths and wash-houses are open or being erected in most of the metropolitan parishes—or, as it is expected they will pay their expenses, it is to be hoped they will be provided for the poor in every parish in England. Hydropathic establishments are now to be found in England, Ireland, Scotland, and America; and the practice of the Water-cure has penetrated the Antipodes. Hardly a week elapses but some work appears on the subject. Messrs. Abdy's «Diseases Cured by Cold Water;» Sir Eardley Wilmot's «Tribute to the Water-cure;» Col. Dundas' work, «To the Halt, Lame, and Lazy;» Mr. Lane's «Life at the Watercure;» Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's «Confessions of a Water-drinker,» are amongst those of the non-medical productions.