Читать книгу The Kneipp Cure - Sebastian Kneipp Kneipp - Страница 10
MEANS OF HARDENING.
ОглавлениеAs means of hardening we name:
1. Walking barefooted.
2. " in wet grass.
3. " on wet stones.
4. " in newly fallen snow.
5. " in cold water.
6. Cold baths for arms and legs.
7. The knee-gush (with or without the upper gush).
1. The most natural and most simple means of hardening is walking barefooted.
This can be practiced, according to the different conditions of life and age, in the most manifold ways.
Babies, who are still entirely dependent on others, who are always shut up in the rooms, ought to lie, if possible, always without shoes or stockings. Would that I could imprint this as a settled, iron rule on all parents. especially on the all too anxious mothers! Parents who are too strongly prejudiced to agree with this, may, at least, have mercy on the little helpless creatures, and provide for them such coverings for their feet as will permit the fresh air to penetrate easily to the skin.
Children who are able to stand and walk know well how to manage for themselves. Heedless of all human respect they throw away the troublesome, tormenting shoes and stockings and are quite in their delight, particularly at spring time, if they are allowed to run about freely without them. Sometimes a toe is hurt; but never mind, that does not prevent them from trying again. Children do this quite by instinct, following a certain natural impulse, which grown-up people also would feel, if the over-polished, molded, nature-destroying civilization had not oftentimes deprived them of all common sense.
The children of the poor are seldom disturbed in their pleasure; but the children of parents who are rich, or of rank, are less fortunate, and yet they feel the want no less than the poor ones. Once I watched the boys of a high and distinguished officer, and saw how, as soon as they thought themselves out of range of the penetrating eyes of their strict Papa, the elegant little shoes and stockings were thrown over the hedges, and away they ran galloping over the green meadow. Their mamma, a sensible lady, was not displeased at their proceedings, but if, by chance, papa saw his little lords in such an unbecoming attire, at once long lectures were given about duties of rank, about refinement and unrefinement, about feeling and behaving in a manner conformable to one's rank. The children were so deeply impressed by these lectures that the next day they were jumping barefooted in the grass more lively than ever. Once more I say: at least, let the children who are not yet spoiled by refinement, have their enjoyment!
Sensible parents who would willingly allow this to their children, but who, living in town, have no garden or lawn, may sometimes allow them to walk barefooted in a room or in a passage, if only their feet as well as their face and hands may sometimes be exposed to the fresh air to their feet's content, and to move about in their element.
Grown up people of the poorer classes, especially in the country, do not want any admonition; they are used to going barefooted and do not envy the richest townsman his elegant, high or low, varnished, buttoned boots, torturing, pinching and fettering his feet, nor his fine stockings either.
Foolish country-people with townish maimers, who are ashamed to do the same as their equals, punish themselves enough by their self-conceit; lei the old-fashioned conservatives cling firmly to the good traditions. In my youth everyone in the country went barefooted: children and adults, father and mother, brother and sister. We had to walk miles to school and church; our parents gave us a piece of bread and some apples to eat on the way, and also shoes and stockings for our feet; but these were hanging on our arms or over our shoulders, until we arrived at school or at church, not only in summer, but also in the colder season. No sooner had spring arrived, and the snow had begun to disappear from the hills, than our bare feet trod the ground soaked with waters, and we felt merry, bright and healthy in our exercise.
Grown-up people in towns, especially those who belong to the better, or even to the highest classes, cannot make use of this practice, — that is quite (dear, and if their prejudices have reached such a degree that they fear to draw rheumatism, catarrh, sore throat or such like upon themselves, if for a moment, when dressing, their tender feet should stand on the bare floor instead of on warm soft carpets, I shall not trouble them at all. But if anybody really wishes to do something in the way of hardening, what is there to prevent him from taking such a promenade in his room, for 10, 15, or 30 minutes at night before going to sleep, or hi the morning when rising? At first, to begin gently, they could do so with their stockings on, then barefooted, and at last, after dipping their feet up to the ankles in cold water for some moments before the walk.
Everyone, even the highest in rank, the most occupied in his office, could with good arrangement, good will and true care for the preservation of his health, save time enough to bestow such a benefit upon himself.
I knew a priest who went every year to stay for a few days with a friend who owned a huge garden, and there his morning walk was always taken barefooted in the wet grass. He has many times spoken in glowing terms of the excellent effects of this kind of promenade; and I could name a number of persons of the higher and highest ranks of society, who did not despise his well-meant advice, but tried to harden themselves in the better season, by going barefooted during their morning walks in the solitary woods, or on a remote meadow.
One of this comparatively still small number has owned to me that in former times he seldom spent a week without a catarrh, if it were only a slight one, but this simple practice had entirely cured him of this susceptibility.
One word I dedicate to mothers in particular. I need not say much; for I have already promised them to give some particular hints for a good education of children chiefly concerning the body, if God spares me life and health. It is mothers, before all, who are charged with the bringing up of a stronger generation capable of greater endurance, and with helping to remove the ever increasing effemination, debility, poverty of blood, nervousness, and all such miseries, which enervate and shorten life, and make such a great gasp in the human race. This is to be done by hardening, by making the child accustomed to hardening from its tenderest years. Air, food, clothes, are necessaries for the suckling as well as for the old man; they form the territory for hardening. The purer the air which the child inhales, the better the blood. In order to accustom the frail little creatures as soon as possible to staying in the fresh air, those mothers do well, who, after the daily warm bath, dip the baby in colder water, at such a warmth as if it had been warmed by the sun, or wash it quickly with cold water. The warm water in itself relaxes and effeminates; the cold washing at the conclusion of the bath strengthens, hardens and secures a healthy development of the body. The very inclination to cry will cease at the third or fourth application. This kind of hardening protects the babies from frequent colds and their consequences, and is a relief to mothers who are anxious to prevent these miseries by muffling and wrapping the little creatures in woolen or other stifling materials, which are enough to terrify all reasonable people, In this way dreadful harm is done to the health of the little ones. * The delicate little body is enclosed, as it were, in burning wool-ovens. and gasps under the burden of bandages and coverings; the little head is wrapped up in such a way that hearing and seeing is impossible; the neck which, above all. ought to be hardened, wears in addition to the others, its own special means of warming, and is through them quite shut off from the outer air. Even then, when the nurse is ready to take baby out for a walk, properly wrapped up, fuddling Mamma comes to examine, if not a little corner still remains exposed to the air. Is it to be wondered at under these circumstances, with this want of every particle of understanding for rational hardening, that the number of feeble little creatures snatched away every year by croup, etc., is innumerable? that many families are crowded with weaklings? that mothers are deploring the hectic, spasmodic, or other complaints formerly not known, even by name, but now so common especially with girls? And who could number all the menial infirmities, these empty blossoms and rotten fruits of a body which begins its slow decay even before it has attained its normal development and strength. Mens sana in corpore sano. A healthy soul resides only in a healthy body. A principal condition for the development of enduring health, is hardening in the earliest age. Would that mothers would understand early enough and profoundly enough this their task and responsibility, and then not neglect any opportunity of taking good advice from good sources!
2. A special and extremely effective kind of walking barefooted is the walking in the grass, no matter if it be wet with dew, rain, or watering. In the third part this means of highly recommend it to young and old, healthy and sick no matter what other applications they may be using. The wetter the grass, the longer one perseveres in the exercise, and the oftener it is repeated, the more perfect will be the success.
This exercise is generally taken for 15 to 45 minutes.
After the promenade all the improper adherents, such as leaves or sand, must be quickly wiped off the feet; yet the feet are not to be dried, but must be left as wet as they are. Dry stockings and shoes have to be put on, however, without delay. The walking in the grass has to be followed by walking with covered feet on a dry path, at first briskly, by and by in the ordinary measure. The time of so walking depends on how long it takes the feet to get dry and warm, but should not be less than 15 minutes. I urgently call attention to the words "dry stockings and shoes;" for wet or damp stockings must never be worn after an application. The consequences would soon be felt in head and neck; this would not be building up, bat pulling down. It may not be out of place to remind young, quick and thoughtless people, not to throw their shoes or stockings into the wet grass, when they take them off, but to secure a dry spot for them, in order that they may bring the damp and cold feet to their proper warmth, later on. This exercise, likewise the walking barefooted generally, may be taken even when the feet are cold.
3. About the same effect as that produced by the walking in wet grass, is produced by walking on wet stones, which is more convenient and easy for many people. Even house or cottage has, either on the ground floor, in the wash-house, or in the bake-house, etc., a more or less spacious pavement, which will be sufficient for a barefooted promenade on wet stones. In a stone passage of good length one can run quickly to and fro; on a little spot of 4 — 5 stone squares one must tread the stones like the vinedresser does the grapes, or like, at some places, the baker's apprentice treads the dough. The main point consists in the stones being wet, and the patient not standing quietly on them, but walking at a rather quick rate To wet the stones, it is best to take a watering-can, or a jug, and make a water-line which is then extended by treading. If the stones dry too quickly, Hie watering is to lie repeated once or even oftener; the coldest water is the best.
In cases where this means of hardening is employed as a remedy, it ought not to exceed 3 to 15 minutes; hut the condition of the patient must decide the length of time, whether he is stronger or weaker, poor of blood, etc.; generally — 5 minutes will be sufficient. When taken simply as a means of hardening by healthy people, this exercise can be extended to:!() minutes and longer still, without doing any harm, and 1 can sincerely recommend it to all those who wish to begin a solid hardening. Even the weakest and most sensitive need not be afraid to try it.
Persons who are suffering from cold feet, who are inclined to sore throat, catarrh, congestion in the head, and headache caused by it, may try this promenade on wet stones. It would be advisable to mix a little vinegar with the water to be used.
As regards shoes and stockings, and exercise, the same rules are to be observed as with the walking in the grass. Like the latter, it can also be undertaken even when the feet are cold before beginning the exercise.
4. Walking in newly fallen snow produces even greater effect than that of the two preceding practices. I distinctly remark in newly fallen, fresh snow, which forms into a ball or clings to the feet like dust, not in old, stiff, frozen snow, which almost freezes off the feet and is of no use whatever. Moreover this promenade must never be made in cold, cutting winds, but in spring when the snow is being melted by the sun. I know many people who have walked through such snow-water for half an hour, or an hour, even 1 ½ hours with the best result. The first minutes only caused a little struggle; later on they felt no uneasiness or special cold. The regular duration of such a walk in the snow is 3 — 4 minutes. I emphatically remark, there must be no stand-still but constant walking.
Sometimes it happens that all too tender toes, which are quite unaccustomed to outer air, cannot bear the snowy cold and get snow-fever, i.e. become dry and hot, burning and painful, and swell. But there is no cause for fear, it is of no consequence if the dry toes are bathed in snow-water or rubbed with snow, they will heal directly.
In autumn the snow-walk can be replaced by walking in the grass covered with hoar-frost. The feeling of cold is much more painful then, because at that time, at the change of season, the body is still accustomed to the warmth of summer. Even in winter the snow-walk is replaced by walking on stone-squares, soaked with snow-water. The rules for covering the feet, and exercise are the same as in the preceding numbers.
Generally, the verdict upon this means of hardening is: "Nothing but folly and nonsense," — because people are afraid of catching colds, of rheumatics, sore throat, catarrh, and every possible complaint. Everything depends on a trial and a little self-conquest; one will soon become convinced how groundless prejudices are; and that the dreadful snow-walk, instead of causing harm, brings great advantage.
Many years ago, I became acquainted with the wife of a higher officer. This energetic mother set a high value on the hardening of her children; daintiness in eating and drinking was by no means tolerated; complaints about the weather, heat, cold, etc., were always censured. As soon as the first snow-fall came, she promised her boys a reward, if they ventured to go in the snow barefooted. This she did for many years; her children, in consequence, became strong and vigorous, and all their life long they were grateful for this by no means soft way of education. That mother was fully expert in her task.
This, then, is the snow-walk for healthy people. I will mention two cases to show with what success it can be practiced in many complaints.
A person was suffering for many years from chilblains, which opened, formed ulcers and gave her great pain, According to my advice she began her snow-walks with the first snow-fall in autumn, repeated them frequently, and the troublesome tumors ceased to torment her.
Not long ago a girl of seventeen came to me complaining of dreadful tooth-ache. "If you would go through the newly-fallen snow for .". minutes," I said to her, "your tooth-ache would soon vanish." She followed my advice instantly, went to the garden, and 10 minutes afterwards she came back, joyfully exclaiming that her toothache was gone.
The snow-walk ought never to take place, unless the whole body be perfectly warm. When feeling cold or shivering, it is necessary to procure normal warmth, by working or exercise. Persons who are suffering from perspiring feet, wounded feet, open or suppurating chilblains, are, of course never allowed to walk in the snow until the feet have first been healed. (See foot-baths or foot-vapors.)
5. Walking in water. As simple as it may appear to walk in water reaching as far as the calf of the leg, yet even this application serves as a means of hardening: la) it has influence on the whole body, and strengthens the whole system; (b) it operates on the kidneys; by this many complaints, originating in the kidneys, the bladder and the bowels, are prevented; (c) it operates powerfully on the chest, facilitates breathing and carries gases out of the stomach; (d) it operates especially against headache, congestion, and other sufferings of the head. This means of hardening can be employed by moving the feet in a bath of cold water, reaching over the ankles. It is more effective for hardening, if one goes into the water up to the shins, and most effective of all, if the water reaches the knees.
As to the duration, one can begin with 1 minute, then longer, up to 5 or 6 minutes. The colder the water, the better. After such a practice exercise is necessary, in winter time in a warm room, in summer in the open air, until the body is completely warm. In winter, snow may be mixed with the water. Weaklings may use warm water in the beginning, then by and by, colder, and lastly quite cold water. (See fig. 1.)
6. For the special hardening of the extremities, arms and legs, the following practice is excellent: To stand in cold water up to the knees or over them, for not longer than one minute; then, after the feet have been covered, to put the bare arms up to the shoulders in cold water for the same length of time. It is better still to put arms and legs into the water together; in a larger bath, this is easily done. But one can just as easily stand in the bath and put the bare arms and hands in another vessel, standing on a chair. I like to prescribe this practice after diseases, in order to increase the flow of the blood to the extremities.
To those who are suffering from chilblains and cola hands, this dipping in of the arms is of very good service; but one has to be careful, that the hands (not arms) be directly well dried, as they are exposed to the air.
It is essential that before this practice the body should be in normal warmth ( not shivering). If the feet are cold up to the ankles (but not the shins), the arms up to the elbows, this need not prevent the application.
7. As a last means of hardening I name the knee gush. How it is to be applied, can be seen where the gushes are spoken of. It is of special service to the feet, inducing the blood to come to their bloodless veins.
Here I have only to say that the gush on the knees is to be given in a stronger way, if healthy people use it for hardening. This can be done, e. g. by the water-jet coming from a height; by mixing snow and ice with the water in winter time, etc.
This practice can only be undertaken, if the body in warm ( not shivering); but cold feet up to the ankles arc no impediment. The gush on the knees ought not to be used for more than 3 or 4 days, unless it is taken in connection with other practices. If undertaken for a longer time, it must be used alternately with the upper gush, or the dipping in of the arms (No. 6), the one in the morning, the oilier in the afternoon.
The means of hardening here mentioned, may suffice. They can be practiced at every season, and continued in winter and summer. In winter, it would be well to shorten The application itself a little, but to prolong the exercise after it somewhat. For those who are unaccustomed to them, it would be well not to begin with them in winter, more especially those who are suffering from poverty of blood, interior cold, and who are faddled, effeminated, and .made sensitive by woolen clothing. I do not say this, as if I were afraid of any harm, but only to prevent people from becoming frightened of such an excellent remedy.
Healthy, as well as weak people, may without hesitation make use of all the applications, both of them observing care and following strictly the directions given. If bad consequences ensue, they are never to.be attributed to the applications, but always to some greater or lesser imprudence. Even to consumptive people, with whom the disease had made considerable progress, I have applied No. 1, 2, 3, and 6 with great success. Those people to whom my little book is especially dedicated, need not to be encouraged to hardening. Their state in life, their cases every hour, being of themselves one or other of the means of hardening here mentioned, besides numerous others. They may persevere quietly and not envy others who seem to be more fortunate than they are; for these are illusions, and very often, even mostly, great illusions.
I invite those of my honored readers who perhaps have never yet heard even the name of these things, to give them a small, the very smallest, trial before condemning them. If it turns out in my favor, I shall be glad, not for my own sake, but on account of the importance of the matter. Many storms break out in life upon man's health; happy he who has its (the health's) roots well fastened, deepened and grounded by hardening.