MEDICAL VIRTUES OF THE WILDBAD WATERS.

105

is renowncd. As they oftener attack persons of a ple- tlioric Constitution tlian lyinphatic individuals, so tlie batlis also are chiefly known to eure patients of plethoric dispo- sition. The invalids of tliis dass scarcely find words to praise suflficicntly tlie virtues of Wildbad in their cases, and impatiently attend tlie liour of their daily batlis. The agrccablc warinth of tlie water spreads new life through their benunibed and paralysed limbs, and tlie extent of the basin perniits tliem to try their returning strength. The first fcw batlis already, if they be followed by a well-maintained per- spiratiou, generally produce tlie most favourable results, and with an unspeakable joy they Iook upon the first move- nients wliich the buoyancy of their body in the water enables tliem to niake. They conimcnce, as it were, a new life, the first feeling of wliich is a certain pricking Sensation in the paralysed limbs; this is followed by increased animal heat, perspiration, rcturning sensibility, and, as the invalids usc to express theinselves, movements in the affected nerves, similar to those feit from electric sliocks. These Symptoms use to be accompanied with an incrcasing agility of the suffering limbs, and then a complete eure will soon be at- tained. Those even , wlio are not so happy as to return from Wildbad cured, at least expericnce great relief from the use of tlie springs; tliis is also tlie reason why many paralysed invalids repair to this Spa for two or three suc- cessive seasons.

A man of forty, of tall and robust make, wlio liad en- joyed a good health tili bis tbirtieth year, ever since this period exhibited signs of plethora; be bccame subject to frequent liead-aches, and often was obligcd to have re- course to bleeding. His occupation, being that of a messen­ger, exposed bim to all changes of weather. Düring onc of his courses, in tlie nionth of August 1834, he was struck