ellum_, and
the _spine_ (see 17-19), the danger which threatens the patient's life
is principally averted by the sitz-bath. The nervous system needs
support, and the circulation must be regulated. In every case where the
packs do not relieve the symptoms in the head and spine, the sitz-bath
is probably the only remedy to remove the danger. It should be about
70 deg., and the patient should stay in it till relieved, which will
probably be in half an hour or there about. After the sitz-bath, if the
patient feel quite easy and inclined to sleep, he may be put to bed; if
he continues restless and still complains of pain, he should be put in a
wet pack of about 65 deg.. There he should stay till he complains of more
pain, when he should take his bath and repeat the sitz-bath. Thus he
should alternate till he becomes entirely relieved.

93. SITZ-BATH, ANCHOR OF SAFETY.

If there be much delirium, the sitz-bath may be required longer, and the
pack shorter, as indicated above (81). In all such cases the packs and
sitz-baths, alternately, ought to be continued, till the nervous
symptoms disappear altogether, and should they make their appearance
again, the treatment must be resumed without delay.

94. I repeat that in such cases, the sitz-bath is the only anchor of
safety I know of. I have tried to remove these dangerous symptoms by
packs, affusions, baths, but almost always in vain; whilst the sitz-bath
has never failed to insure success. As I am the only writer on hydriatic
treatment of scarlatina (as far as I know), who mentions the virtue of
the sitz-bath in those cases, and as I am probably the first who
ventured to use it, with one of my own children, in 1836, when all
seemed to fail, I shall corroborate my advice by a couple of cases.

95. CASES.

During an epidemic of scarlatina in 1836 two of my children were
attacked by the disease, a boy of about eight, and another of five
years, the younger one two days after the older one. I ordered them to
be packed, and all seemed to go well, when, during my absence from the
city (of Freiberg) a medical friend, who called, persuaded my wife to
desist from continuing the hydriatic treatment, and use some remedies of
his instead. On my return, I found the elder boy (the other began only
to show some slight symptoms) in a very bad state: the cerebellum and
spine were distinctly affected by the contagious poison; the patient
complained of insupportable pain in the back of his