DOUCHE.

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followed by chilliness, and oftentimes by pulmonary affections. It hasbeen used in mania with advantage: it reduces the frequency of thepulse and of respiration, and occasions a tendency to repose; but theeffects are much more temporary than those produced by the warm bath.

y. Washing or sponging. —Cold , cool, or tepid washing or sponging,may be used in febrile diseases, with great advantage, in many caseswhere affusion is not admissible, or where timidity on the part ofthe patient or practitioner prevents the employment of the latter. Dr.Currie remarks, that in all cases of fever where the burning heat of thepalms of the hands and soles of the feet is present, this method of cool-ing them should be resorted to. A little vinegar is frequently mixedwith the water, to make the effect more refreshing. Washing or spong-ing must be effected under precisely the same regulations as those alreadylaid down for affusion.

S. Shower bath. —The shower bath is similar in its effects to affusion,but milder in its operation, and is mostly employed in chronic diseases,or as a hygienic agent. In various affections of the nervous system,more especially insanity, it is very useful. In many cases it is a valuableagent when we are afraid to venture on the common cold bath or coldaffusion, since it is less likely to cause cramps or other symptoms indica-tive of a disordered state of the nervous system.

f. The Douche. —The French word douche, or the Italian doccia, sig-nifies a continued current of fluid applied to, or made to fall on, somepart of the body. Dr. Parr states that it is synonymous with our word“ pumping ,” and with the Latin word stillicidium. At Bath, for example,the waters are applied, say to a paralyzed part, by means of a pump, andthe degree or quantity of the application is determined by the number oftimes the handle is raised or depressed. The water, however, does notissue in gushes, but in a continuous stream. This is evidently what theFrench would call a douche, but our word “ pumping” is not applicableto a “ douche de vapeur .” According to the direction in which the wateris applied we have the douche descendante, douche laterale, and doucheascendante.

History. —It is uncertain at how early a period this remedy was inuse. The following passage from Cselius Aurelianus has been supposedby some to refer to this mode of employing water. “ Item aquarumruinis partes in passione constitute sunt subjicienda;, quas GneeiKaTwcXvafiovs appellant, plurimum etinim earmn percussiones corporumfaciimt mutationem.” By others, however, this passage is supposed torefer to affusion.

General operation. —The effects of the douche depend on several cir-cumstances ; such as the nature of the fluid employed, whether vapouror liquid, and if liquid, whether simple or some saline water : the tem-perature also must have an influence, as is very evident,-—the size anddirection of the jet, the force with which it is applied, and its duration.At Bath, Dr. Falconer tells us, “ from 50 to 200 strokes of the pump isthe number generally directed to be taken at one time, which, however,may be increased or diminished according to the age, sex, strength, orother circumstances of the patient.” On the continent it is rarely em-ployed for a longer period than 15 or 20 minutes.

The vapour douche is nothing more than a jet of aqueous vapourdirected on some part of the body, its action depending principally on