Читать книгу Every Man His Own Doctor - R. T. Claridge - Страница 7

E. H. Tracey, the Hon., England	L. J. E. Rudnick, Phil. Doc., Prussia
J. Hailes, Major, Bengal Army	E. C. Ellery, London
Hugh Barr, Paisley, Scotland	G. Pietsch, Leeds
J. H. O. Moore, Capt. H. B. M. S.	Sig. Goetzel, Vienna
Edward Birch, British Consul	Count J. Schaffgotsch, Chamberlain to King of Prussia
J. F. Sparkes, England	Baron F. D’Unsulz, Poland
C. A. Lane, Lieut. Col., Bengal Army	Baron Schmidburg, Sect. Austrian Gov.
Alonzo Draper, New York	A. B. Mills, Glasgow
T. V. Ganahl, Inspruck, Tyrol	J. T. Delvarnes, son of Ex-President of Chili
C. W. Ganahl, Ditto	H. A. Muller, Hambro’
H. C. Wright, Philadelphia, N. Y.	Carl Burmester, Ditto
H. D. Avrainville, Ditto	H. Schierholz, Ditto
Baron Rudolph, Lüttechan, Austria	Theod. Heyman, Ditto
Count Guillaume D’Aichott, Westphalia	E. Holzmann, Ditto
Charles Dr. Pickler, Gratz, Styria	Count Szirmay, Chamberlain, A. G.
Baron de Leutch, Capt. Austrian Army	H. G. Robinson, Yorkshire
Count Pierre, Dr., Goess, Styria	L. de Grotoski, Poland
Baron Keller, Capt. Austrian Army	Napoleon Maleski, Ditto
Count Zelenski, Chamberlain, Austria	J. Slatter, Isle of Jersey
Gustav Hirschfeld, Holstein	Le Chevalier de Montiglio, Sec. Legation, Sardinia
H. K. Marcher, M. D. Denmark	Prince Auguste Ruspoli, Rome
Count Wallowitz, Poland	F. Kronwald, Councillor, Austria
L. Lemoile, French Consul	Count Zeno Sarav, Austrian Chamberlain
Baron de Wrede, Austria	Baron Tindal, Sec. Legation, Holland
Count Henkel, Dannesmark, Prussia	The Rev. Thos. Smythe, England
C. Balsch, Grand Logothet, Moldavia	J. Hamilton, Carnacassa, Monaghan, Ireland
Baron de Pabst, Holland	L. Bardel, Lieut. Austrian S.
J. N. Spencer, Surgeon Dentist, London	H. de Strager, Lieut., Ditto
F. B. Y. Ribas, Spanish Consul, Odessa	C. Niemann, Provincial Deputy, Pomerania, Prussia
F. Harnish, Apothecary, Bresslau	Victor Kurnatowksi, Poland
Donilzi de Galetti, Capt., Russian Army	Baron N. de Höpken, Stockholm
Alexr. de Harmasaki, Moldavia	Genges Siebil, Lyons, France
V. Hake, Lieut. Col., Prussia	Karl Quovos, Prussian Poland
V. Crety, Lieut., Ditto	Francis Rieger, Cracow
Otto Schramm, Royal Councillor, Prussia	Johann Gotthilf, President Criminal Court, Prussia
Edward Hoffman, Lieut. Prussian S.	Count Oscar Roswadowski, Austria
Edward Calvos. Lieut. Austrian S.	Baron J. Wallish, Ditto
J. Gibbs, Enniscorthy, Ireland	Baron M. Lyncker, Lieut., Prussia
Edward Joseph Tabelar, Councillor, Vienna	Baron Mezenthin, Major, Ditto
Baron C. V. Radzig, Bavaria	Ivan A. Roiz, Brazils, S. America
Michael Avrial, Merchant, Paris	Nicholas Arnault, Paris
Ignace St. de Ionnewald, Major, Austria	Guiseppe Weyher, Trieste
V. Siegl, Barrister, Austria	August Navez, Lieut., Belgium
V. de Lauken, Lieut. Prussian S.	Wilhelm Lommatsch, Saxony
V. Siegler, Capt. Austrian S.	Baron A. Ledderer, Colonel, Austria
Count V. Orosz, Sec. Excise Bureau, Vienna	Von Kutzl, Lieut., Ditto
V. Perboe, Lieut. Austrian S.	Von Bovelmo, Lieut., Ditto
L. Liebshang, Postmaster, Austria	Baron Huelberg, Lieut., Ditto

“P.S.—We, the undersigned, cannot vouch for the exactitude of each particular in the four cases, related above, not having been at Gräfenberg during their occurrence; but we are happy to state our conviction and experience to be fully in favor of this mode of treatment.

E. Hallman, M. D., Berlin	R. L. Jones, Luton, Bedfordshire
Peter Wilson, Writer to the Signet, Scotland	A. J. Colvin, Albany, N. Y.
Horatio Greenhough, U. S.	A. F. Webster, R. N., Battle Abbey, Sussex
A. Schrotterick, M. D., Norway	W. Cybulvo, M. D., Prague
Francisco Bazan, de la Province de Seville en Espana, M. D.	Dr. Hempin, Prussia
J. M. Gutterieg Estrada, late Plenipotentiary	W. Murray, Monaghan, Ireland
to the Court of London, from Mexico	W. S. Ellis, Middle Temple, London
C. M. Mecker, America	T. H. Cohen, London”

In 1845 a work of a very different tendency appeared, which, though approving of the hydropathic treatment in itself, denounced Priessnitz’s application of it, and calumniated him personally in the most unwarrantable and groundless manner. The author was R. H. Graham, M. D.; and so unpardonable was his attack on Priessnitz that it drew forth the following letter.

“To the Editor of the London Times,

“Gräfenberg, 2nd February, 1845.

“Sir.—We, the undersigned British and Americans, who have resided here for periods varying from three months to two years and upwards, and who consequently have had ample opportunities of acquiring correct information, deem it our duty publicly to assert that a work, entitled ‘A true Report of the Water-cure, by Robert Hay Graham, M.D.’ abounds in gross exaggerations, mis-statements, and calumnies respecting Priessnitz. It would lengthen this document too much to go into a detailed repetition of all those portions of Dr. Graham’s work which we could contradict; we therefore refrain from noticing any in particular: it will be sufficient to say, that from personal observations, we can deny several of Dr. Graham’s allegations, and, from information upon which we can rely, we are convinced that many more are totally devoid of foundation.

“We have seen a letter dated January 15th, 1845, from Captain Wollf, whom Dr. Graham gives as his authority for some of his most unfounded assertions, and to whom he dedicates his book; and we beg attention to the following extracts from that letter.

“‘I not only’ says Captain Wolff, ‘was a passionate Hydropathist, but am still, to this day, known as an out-and-out one ... the information which I gave Dr. Graham, concerned solely the scientific part of the Water-cure, and could not, of course, be otherwise than favourable; I being, as above stated, an Hydropathist. With regard to the wretched stuff you allude to, as to whether Mr. and Mrs. P. drink wine or grog, whether Miss J. S. and other English ladies were treated with or without clothes, the tiresome story about Munde, or whether the Princess L. did or did not employ the Water-cure, with such like, I have never concerned myself; for I lived at Gräfenberg exclusively for the Water-cure.’

“Thus does Dr. Graham’s principal witness fail him! It is only necessary to add, that we do not place the least reliance on any of Dr. Graham’s statements. We are led to say thus much from regard to truth, and from esteem for a great and good man, who has been basely vilified.

“In our opinion Priessnitz, from long practice, varied experience, and close observation, guided by his extraordinary genius, has acquired so intimate a knowledge of the action of water, of its dangers and advantages as regards the human body, both in health and disease, that the most delicate invalid may safely rely on his judgment; and in this opinion we are sustained by the fact of his great success in the treatment of almost every variety of disease, which surpasses that of any physicians on record. The patients who seek his aid may be divided, with few exceptions, into two classes:—those who by medical men have been pronounced incurable; and those, whose diseases are the result of medical treatment: and, out of the large number whom he yearly treats, it would be absurd to expect that he should never lose one. But we cannot believe that the Water-cure is the best remedy for disease, without also believing that he, its discoverer, is the best practitioner of it; and to convince us to the contrary would require somewhat stronger and more unexceptionable testimony than that of Dr. Graham. From the portrait which Dr. Graham draws of Priessnitz, one who did not know him, would be apt to imagine him as full of assumption and Charlatanism, whereas he is as far from either as any man; being as remarkable for his simplicity and truth, as for a native modesty and unassuming propriety of demeanour, which, combined with his kindliness of heart, win respect and regard from almost all who approach him. Requesting that you will do us the favour to give insertion to this letter, We are, Sir, Your obedient Servants,

Lichfield (The Earl of)	Horatio Greenough, U.S.
E. H. Tracey (The Hon.)	W. D’Arley
W. S. Ellis, Temple	John Gibbs
Richard L. Jones	William Murray
Gretton Bright	Andrew J. Colvin, U.S.
Augustus Blair (Capt.)	Alonzo Draper, U.S.
J. H. O. Moore (Capt.)	G. Pietsch
Thomas Smithell, M.A.	James Hamilton
Andrew B. Mills	Henry J. Robinson
C. Sewell	C. H. Meeker, U.S.”

If Dr. Graham’s object was to injure Priessnitz, it was, unquestionably thoroughly defeated; for his fame continued to increase, and at the end of the same year, Gräfenberg was honoured by a visit from the Archduke Charles, heir apparent to the imperial crown of Austria, who treated Priessnitz with the greatest consideration, and shewed great interest in the Hydropathic treatment. On his arrival, an address was presented to him, numerously signed by the visitors at Gräfenberg, and presented by—

Don I. M. Estrada, Ex-Minister	Baron A. D. Lotzbeck, Chamberlain
from Mexico to London	to the King of Bavaria
Count Cyacki, Grand Marshal of Poland.	Capt. Moore, 35th Regt.
Count Shaffgatch, Chamberlain	F. La. Moile, Ex-Consul de France.
to the King of Prussia

The Archduke seemed much pleased with it; and as it was a novelty in Germany, where addresses are unknown, we think a translation may be interesting to our readers.

Address presented to Archduke Franz Carl, at Gräfenberg, October 4th, 1845.

“We, the undersigned natives of various countries, enjoying here the hospitality and protection of a paternal government, hasten to take advantage of the propitious occasion offered by the presence of your Imperial and Royal Highness, to lay our homage at your feet. How could we fail to evince the sentiments of gratitude which we entertain towards your illustrious house, for the favour it has deigned to grant for the development of a system, which has produced such happy results on ourselves, on that around us, and on the thousands of invalids who have preceded us. The protection of Government having been extended to the establishment at Gräfenberg and Freiwaldau, your Royal and Imperial Highness has judged it not unworthy to see with your own eyes the marvellous effects of a treatment, which gradually spreading over the universe, will preserve the human race from the double curse of intemperance and disease. For this condescension we tender our thanks. In all times and in all countries the use of cold water as a curative means has been acknowledged. The great physicians of past ages already had recourse to it. Travellers relate singular cures effected by its means amongst even the most savage tribes. In recent times we occasionally see light feebly penetrating through the darkness of prejudice and routine, and revealing the neglected virtues of this simple gift of nature; but these facts remaining isolated, the germs of such a noble discovery had hitherto always remained undeveloped. It was reserved to the soil of Austria to give birth to the immortal author of a system which can already rank among the sciences. Priessnitz, a simple farmer, in a poor and retired hamlet, obeying only the promptings of his genius, has triumphed over all obstacles, and, still young, has marched with a rapid step towards the destiny of great men. Relying solely on observation and experience, he realised truths which the science of ages could not reveal. The fame of his marvellous cures resounded at first in the immediate neighbourhood: but his star always rising and never vacillating, at last ended by shining throughout the world. Invalids from the most remote countries hastened in great numbers to submit themselves implicitly to his directions. Many disciples of medicine even hesitated not to throw aside their prejudice, and become enlightened by his discoveries. His cottage became the refuge of suffering humanity, his hamlet the seat of a new doctrine; still, far from being intoxicated with so much success and such unexpected good fortune, Priessnitz has in no way deviated from his original simplicity and primitive manners. His greatest ambition is the accomplishment of the laborious task he has imposed on himself; his sweetest recompence the affection and veneration of all who surround him. We know not which to admire most, the rare genius of this gifted man, or the firmness and modesty which characterise him. Guided by gratitude, and the admiration we feel for the Hydropathic system and its origination, we have ventured to present this humble address to your Imperial and Royal Highness, trusting that the visit of such an enlightened Prince will be a good augury for the further dev[e]lopment and extension of the curative system from which we have ourselves experienced such happy results.”

In the ensuing summer a most flattering testimony was decreed to Priessnitz by the Emperor of Austria. It was a gold medal (called a Verdienst Medaille or medal of merit), and was presented to him by the Governor of Troppau, on the 7th of July, 1846, at the altar, with great ceremony, in the very church in which he had been formerly denounced. Shortly after, an incident occurred which had nearly deprived the world of this great man: this was the marriage of his eldest daughter, then only seventeen, to an Hungarian nobleman of large fortune. The young couple started for Hungary; and Priessnitz, on taking leave of them, was observed to be much affected. Later in the day, whilst visiting his patients, he found it difficult to lift one hand to his head. He hurried home, where he hardly arrived when he was suddenly struck with general paralysis, and was quite insensible. His attendants resorted to his own remedies, he was placed in a tepid bath and rubbed by four persons for nearly two hours before he began to regain his senses, when he ordered the tepid water to be changed for cold; and he has since been heard to say, the former would not have been attended with sufficient reaction, and consequently would not have had the desired effect. He now ordered his own treatment and recovered in a few days; his health was afterwards re-established by a fortnight’s visit to his daughter in Hungary.

A few months since he was rejoiced by the birth of a son. This event conferred great happiness on him; for, as may be remembered, his first-born whom he lost was a son, and all his other children until the last, were daughters.

It is to be hoped, that Providence will spare his valuable life to see his son grow up, so that he may initiate him experimentally in the theory of Hydropathy, which can never be perfectly disseminated in any other way.

Several monuments and fountains erected at Gräfenberg, testify the admiration and respect in which Priessnitz is held. The English and the Hamburghers are at present engaged in erecting similar testimonies. The latter have placed his bust in the Exchange at Hamburg.

Judging from the strides Hydropathy is making, it is fair to conclude that in the course of time these examples will be followed by every nation in the world.1