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Cambridge
International AS & A Level

Psychology
Third edition

David Clarke
Mandy Wood
Andrea Pickering
Laura Swash
Lisa Holmes

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Introduction

Introduction
This Study and Revision Guide is written to support Details of each examination are set out in the AS and A
students following the Cambridge International AS and Level exam-style questions sections.
A Level Psychology 9990 course.
Note: All papers include extended responses (higher
The assessment of the AS Level is based on tariff) questions. Paper 1 and 2 cover questions from
examination papers 1 and 2, while at A Level the across the AS syllabus. Paper 3 and 4 include questions
results from the AS papers are combined with two from the four specialist options. You are only required
further papers 3 and 4. to study two of the four options.

Get the most from this book


Everyone has to decide their own revision strategy,
but it is essential to review your work, learn it and test My revision planner
your understanding. This Study and Revision Guide will
help you to do that in a planned way, topic by topic. AS LEVEL
Don’t hesitate to write in this book, ticking off each 1 The Biological approach
section as you revise. Personalising your notes and 1.1 Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) 6

checking your progress regularly should keep you on 1.2 Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences)
1.3 Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)
10
13

track. Biological approach revision checklist 18

2 The Cognitive approach


2.1 Andrade (doodling) 19
2.2 Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test) 23
2.3 Pozzulo et al. (line-ups) 26
Cognitive approach revision checklist 30

3 The Learning approach


3.1 Bandura et al. (aggression) 32

Features to help you succeed


3.2 Fagen et al. (elephant learning) 36
3.3 Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia) 40
Learning approach revision checklist 44

4 The Social approach


4.1 Milgram (obedience) 46
4.2 Perry et al. (personal space) 49
4.3 Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) 54

STUDY TIPS NOW TEST YOURSELF


Social approach revision checklist 58

5 Research methodology
Tips are given throughout the book to help you develop 5.1 Research methods 59
your exam technique and maximise your achievement in Short, knowledge-based
5.2 Methodological concepts questions 74provide the
Research methodology revision checklist 89
the exams. first step in testing your learning. Go to www.
AS Level exam-style questions
hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras
Paper 1 sample questions 91
for the
answers.Paper 2 sample questions 92

SKILLS BUILDERS
KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras
4

Example AS and A Level questions are given in


each section. Each question has guidance on Essential key terms are written in bold throughout
preparing for the exams, with examples provided the book. Clear, concise definitions are available
in the glossary at www.hoddereducation.com/
on how to answer, and comments indicating how
cambridgeextras
answers could be improved.

Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 3

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My revision planner
AS LEVEL
1 The Biological approach
1.1 Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) 6
1.2 Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) 10
1.3 Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) 13
Biological approach revision checklist 18

2 The Cognitive approach


2.1 Andrade (doodling) 19
2.2 Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test) 22
2.3 Pozzulo et al. (line-ups) 26
Cognitive approach revision checklist 30

3 The Learning approach


3.1 Bandura et al. (aggression) 31
3.2 Fagen et al. (elephant learning) 34
3.3 Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia) 38
Learning approach revision checklist 43

4 The Social approach


4.1 Milgram (obedience) 44
4.2 Perry et al. (personal space) 47
4.3 Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) 52
Social approach revision checklist 56

5 Research methodology
5.1 Research methods 57
5.2 Methodological concepts 72
Research methodology revision checklist 87

AS Level exam-style questions


Paper 1 sample questions 89
Paper 2 sample questions 90

4 Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras

9781398344433_FM.indd 4 17/08/23 2:27 PM


My revision planner

A LEVEL
6 Clinical Psychology
6.1 Schizophrenia 91
6.2 Mood (affective) disorders 99
6.3 Impulse control disorders 108
6.4 Anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders 116
6.5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder 125
Clinical Psychology revision checklist 134

7 Consumer Psychology
7.1 The physical environment 135
7.2 The psychological environment 142
7.3 Consumer decision-making 151
7.4 The product 160
7.5 Advertising 170
Consumer Psychology revision checklist 180

8 Health Psychology
8.1 The patient–practitioner relationship 181
8.2 Adherence to medical advice 189
8.3 Pain 200
8.4 Stress 207
8.5 Health promotion 216
Health Psychology revision checklist 226

9 Organisational Psychology
9.1 Motivation at work 227
9.2 Leadership and management 234
9.3 Group behaviour in organisations 241
9.4 Organisational work conditions 251
9.5 Satisfaction at work 260
Organisational Psychology revision checklist 267

A Level exam-style questions


Paper 3 sample questions 268
Paper 4 sample questions 269

Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 5

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AS LEVEL

1 The Biological approach


The main assumptions
Biological psychologists assume that:
1 Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the working
of the brain and the effect of hormones, genetics and evolution.
2 Similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of
biological factors and their interaction with other factors.
(Cambridge International, 2021)

These ‘other factors’ could be environmental, social and/or cultural. This shows
that biological psychologists do not ignore other influences on behaviour,
cognitions and emotions, just that their primary focus is on the impact of
biological factors.
▲ Figure 1.1 An EEG measures
electrical activity in the
brain. It can be used to
monitor time spent in
different sleep stages
1.1 Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) (e.g. REM versus NREM)

Psychology being investigated


Sleep STUDY TIP
During sleep, the body is inactive. Conscious awareness is temporarily halted. Five Before revising
sleep stages have been identified using electroencephalography (EEG). Each stage each study, briefly
is characterised by differing brain-wave activity (see Figure 1.1). read through the
description and list any
» Stages 1 and 2: light sleep; easily woken.
methodological terms
» Stages 3 and 4: deeper sleep; brain waves have higher amplitude and lower with which you feel less
frequency than brain waves in stages 1 and 2. confident. Review these
» Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep: lower amplitude/higher frequency brain in Chapter 5 before you
waves, similar to wakefulness; the eyelids move quickly but other muscles are begin. Reviewing the
paralysed; dreaming is common. study should help to
reinforce and consolidate
your understanding.
Ultradian rhythms Using key terms like
Ultradian rhythms are bodily cycles that repeat more than once every 24 hours. ‘reliable’ and ‘objective’,
in the right context, will
» During the night, we move through several 90-minute sleep cycles. improve your written
» Earlier in the night, the cycles include a higher proportion of non-REM (NREM) work.
sleep.
» Later in the night, we spend more time in stages 1, 2 and REM sleep.
Dreams are subjective memories of our experiences during sleep.

Background
» Kleitman conducted sleep research using his relatives as participants for many
years.
» In 1953, his student, Aserinsky, used an EEG to identify REM and NREM sleep.
» Kleitman and Aserinsky also found that people woken in REM are more likely to
report dreams than those woken in NREM.
» Dement and Kleitman wanted to find a reliable and objective way to measure
whether a person is dreaming, using biological evidence rather than verbal
self-reports.
6 Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras

9781398344433.indb 6 14/08/23 7:19 PM


1 The Biological approach

Aims
1 To investigate whether dream recall is more common in REM than in NREM sleep.
2 To investigate whether participants can accurately estimate the duration of their
dreams.
3 To investigate whether eye movements (vertical/horizontal) correspond with
dream content.
4 To investigate whether there is a correlation between the duration of a REM sleep
episode and the number of words (the narrative) used to describe any dreams
experienced.

Methodology
Research methods and design: experiment with repeated measures design
(aims 1–3) and correlation (aim 4).
Data collection techniques: self-report, interview.
Variables:
Independent variables – whether the participants were woken:
» during REM or NREM sleep (as shown by the EEG)
» following 5 or 15 minutes of REM sleep
» following REM sleep with mainly vertical, mainly horizontal, mixed or limited eye
movements.
Dependent variables:
» whether a dream was reported or not (quantitative) – dream has to be described
in detail to be counted
» perceived duration of dream:
– initially participants were asked to report dream length in minutes
– later the procedure was changed. Participants were instead asked whether
they had been dreaming for 5 or 15 minutes (fixed/forced choice question,
quantitative data)
» verbal description of dream content/narrative (qualitative data); number of words
used (quantitative).
Sample:
Size: seven men, two women (five studied in depth, four to confirm results).
Demographic: from Chicago, USA.
Sampling technique: not stated in the journal article.

Overview of procedure
Participants slept:
» in a quiet, dark room at the University of Chicago
» with electrodes placed near the eyes and on the scalp:
– wires were tied together to stop them from becoming tangled
– the EEG machine was in an adjoining room.
Participants were woken:
» several times each night
» to self-report all the dependent variables (see above) using a bedside recording
device.
The researchers:
» chose when to wake the participants using the EEG and a timer
» listened to the self-reports from the adjoining room

Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 7

9781398344433.indb 7 14/08/23 7:19 PM


» occasionally entered the sleep room to interview the participant about their dream
– they never revealed information about sleep stage or direction of eye SKILLS
movements when questioning the participants. BUILDER
Controls Suggest one or more
» Participants all: reasons why Dement
– abstained from alcohol and caffeine on the day of the study and Kleitman used an
– reported to the laboratory at their normal bedtime. EEG in this study. [3]
» The same loud doorbell was used for all awakenings. ‘Suggest’ means
» The positioning and number of electrodes was standardised (2–3 near the eyes to present ideas or
and on the scalp). considerations based
on your knowledge
Ethical issues and understanding
of psychology.
» Confidentiality and privacy were maintained.
Little elaboration
– Participants were referred to using their initials.
is required as you
– Dream content was not paired with their initials. are not asked to
explain or justify
your reasons. You
NOW TEST YOURSELF may explain what the
EEG was measuring
1.1 Outline the use of interviewing to gather qualitative data in this study. [2] and why that was
1.2 Give one key feature of experiments as a research method, using an necessary in this
example from this study. [2] study. You could
also give strengths
of using scientific
equipment like
SKILLS BUILDER an EEG.
Describe the use of correlations as a research method in this study. [4]
To answer this question, you need to understand the difference between
correlation and experiment. Refresh your memory of correlations on page 69
if you need to. Consider planning your answer carefully before you start
writing. For example, what is a correlational study? How did the researchers
operationalise their co-variables? What was the nature of the relationship?
Why did the researchers use correlation not experiment for this part of the
study?

Results
REM sleep never occurred immediately after sleep onset. All participants had regular
REM sleep periods throughout the night:
» one REM period every 92 minutes (range 70–104 minutes)
» average REM sleep duration of 20 minutes (range 3–50 minutes)
» longer REM sleep periods later in the night.
▼ Table 1.1 Sleep stage and dream reporting

Sleep stage when woken Frequency of dream reports


REM 80%
NREM 7%

▼ Table 1.2 Accuracy of dream duration estimates

Duration of REM before waking Accuracy rate of dream duration


estimates
5 minutes 88%
15 minutes 78%

8 Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras

9781398344433.indb 8 14/08/23 7:19 PM


1 The Biological approach

One participant (DN) had a lower accuracy rate of only 65 per cent:
» He underestimated dream length.
NOW TEST
» He was only correct 50 per cent of the time when woken after 15 minutes. YOURSELF
▼ Table 1.3 Eye movements and dream content
1.3 State one
Eye movement Dream content difference
between REM
Mainly vertical Looking up and down while: and NREM sleep
» operating a hoist at the bottom of a cliff where people using evidence
were climbing from this study.
» climbing a series of ladders  [2]
» throwing basketballs into a net
Mainly horizontal Watching two people throwing tomatoes at each other
Mixed » Talking in a group of people
» Searching for something
» Fighting with someone
Limited eye movement Looking into the distance while driving a car

Correlation coefficients for REM duration and length of dream report (number of
words) for each participant:
» ranged from +0.40 to +0.71.
» the average was +0.58.

Conclusions
» Dreams are more likely to be reported in REM than NREM sleep.
» Dreams are experienced in real time – dream length and REM sleep duration match.
» Eye movements in sleep are not random; they match dream content.
» The subjective experience of dreaming can be measured objectively using EEG to
identify REM sleep.

Evaluation
▼ Table 1.4 Strengths and weaknesses of Dement and Kleitman

Strengths Weaknesses
Reliability – the procedure was standardised Validity – some data was discarded as recordings
(e.g. participants were always woken using the same loud were too muffled and dreams could not be accurately
doorbell), meaning the study can be replicated to test for transcribed.
reliability.
Objectivity – the use of quantitative EEG data Generalisations – only nine people were studied (and only
(e.g. amplitude and frequency of brain waves) removed five in detail); ages and occupations were not provided so
bias when deciding whether sleep was REM or NREM. individual differences may have affected results.

Issues and debates


Application to everyday life
Understanding typical patterns of sleep and dreaming is important:
» Psychologists can identify people whose sleep and dreams are unusual.
» People are more likely to receive suitable treatment/support to improve sleep quality.

Nature versus nurture


» Support for nature: all participants demonstrated ultradian REM/NREM sleep
cycles and dreamed more during REM than NREM. This suggests these patterns
are innate and may help us to survive.

Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 9

9781398344433.indb 9 14/08/23 7:19 PM


» Support for nurture: dream content was diverse; differing life experiences affect
what we dream about and may affect the duration of REM sleep.

SKILLS BUILDER
Dement and Kleitman investigated ultradian rhythms. Outline one finding from
this study that supports the nature side of the nature–nurture debate. [2]
This question has a stem – that is, a sentence before the question. Sometimes
stems are helpful as they remind you of details from the study. However, the
question does not say you have to refer to it.

1.2 Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences)


Psychology being investigated
Play STUDY TIP
» Play is a universal, voluntary behaviour observed in the young of most species. Give dual-coding a try.
» Activities are often similar to adult behaviours. This means making
» Play may be adaptive. notes in both a verbal
and visual way. You
Sex differences could draw a diagram of
the monkey enclosure to
» Types of play and toy preferences differ between human infants with differing help to consolidate the
sex chromosomes. procedure. Include the
» For example, XY boys typically prefer cars to dolls, whereas the reverse is true of different areas (inside/
XX girls. outside), cameras, toys,
etc. Swap your diagram
Socialisation with a classmate. Ask
them to add labels
» Many people believe these differences are due to society’s differing expectations and anything you have
of girls and boys. missed. When you
» Children learn these expectations through socialisation. revisit the study, cover
» Hassett et al. believed biological factors are also important. your diagram and try to
redraw it from memory.

The role of hormones


Sex hormones (e.g. testosterone, oestrogen) affect brain development. This may
explain why boys and girls prefer toys that can be played with in different ways.

Background
» Hassett et al. (2008) were interested in research into congenital adrenal
hyperplasia (CAH). For example, XX girls with CAH prefer stereotypically
masculine toys, even when encouraged to play with stereotypically feminine toys.
» Previous monkey research found that masculine toys were played with more
by male than by female monkeys; likewise, female monkeys showed a strong
preference for feminine over masculine toys.
» As monkeys are not affected by societal expectations about gender-appropriate
behaviour, Hassett et al. believed sex differences in toy preferences are
determined by nature more than nurture.

Aims
1 To investigate sex differences in monkey toy preferences when presented with a
stereotypically feminine toy and a stereotypically masculine toy.
2 To provide support for the role of nature (not nurture) in shaping sex differences
in human toy preferences.

10 Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras

9781398344433.indb 10 14/08/23 7:19 PM


1 The Biological approach

SKILLS BUILDER
Explain why the study by Hassett et al. is from the Biological approach. [2]
The command term ‘explain’ means that you need to think about reasons
why the study by Hassett et al. is part of the Biological approach. First, think
about key terms/phrases from the main assumptions of the approach, such
as ‘working of the brain’ and ‘hormones’. Which words/phrases link best to
the ‘psychology being investigated’ and/or the background of Hassett et al.?
Your first sentence could state a reason and the second sentence could show
detailed knowledge of the study to support the reason you have given.

Methodology
Research methods and design: experiment with independent measures design.
Data collection techniques:
» Seven 25-minute controlled, non-participant, covert observations of monkeys in
their normal outdoor enclosure.
» A behavioural checklist was used by two observers to analyse the video recordings.
Variables:
Independent variable – whether the monkey was male or female.
Dependent variable – whether monkeys spend longer (in seconds) interacting with
the wheeled toy or the plush toy.
Other information collected – age (juvenile, adult) and social rank (determined
through observation of grooming).
Sample:
Size: 135 juvenile and adult monkeys; 14 excluded (previous participation in
hormone research); 39 infants excluded (looked too alike to accurately record sex).
Demographic: the monkey troop had lived together at a research centre for 25 years.
Sampling technique: opportunity; the analysis included data from 23 females and
11 males, each of whom interacted with the toys at least five times.

Overview of procedure
» Different pairs of wheeled and plush toys were used in each observation (e.g. wagon/
teddy, truck/Scooby-Doo).
» Observers recorded:
– duration of toy interactions (in seconds)
– specific behaviours using a behavioural checklist (e.g. holding, dragging).
» Unclear behaviours were discussed between the two observers.

Controls
» Monkeys were kept indoors while toys were positioned.
» Toys were placed 10 m apart.
» Toy positions were counterbalanced – that is, whether wheeled/plush toys were
on the right/left side of the enclosure.

Ethical issues
» Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals guidelines were upheld, such as
appropriate housing:
– appropriate housing (25 m2 outdoor enclosure with a temperature-controlled
indoor area)
– constant access to water, daily monkey chow and fresh fruit and vegetables.
» The research was regulated by the Emory University Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee.
Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 11

9781398344433.indb 11 14/08/23 7:19 PM


NOW TEST YOURSELF
1.4 Outline two reasons why some of the monkeys 1.6 Give one strength of the use of controlled
were not included in the final sample. [2] observation as a way of collecting the data in
1.5 Give one weakness of the use of a behavioural this study. [2]
checklist in this study. [2]

SKILLS BUILDER
Give one strength of using animals as participants in animals rather than humans in their research
this study. [2] (see page 79). As the question says ‘in this study’,
you must relate your point specifically to Hassett
The command term ‘give’ means you do not need
et al. For example, naming a controlled variable
to give a reason for your strength. Think generally
and showing how this would be impossible with
about why psychologists might prefer to use
humans.

Results
» 73 per cent of the males preferred wheeled toys, 9 per cent preferred plush toys
and 18 per cent showed no significant preference.
» 30 per cent of females preferred the plush toys, 39 per cent preferred the
wheeled toys and 30 per cent showed no significant preference for either toy.
» The data from the monkey observations were compared with data from a similar
study using children. Figure 1.2 shows the similarity between the two sets of results.
– Both sets of results show that males significantly prefer masculine to
feminine toys and, although there is a difference in the preference of females
for feminine toys, this is far less pronounced, especially in the monkeys.
Sex difference in play with stereotypical masculine Sex difference in total frequency of interactions
and feminine toys in human participants with plush and wheeled toys by rhesus monkeys

500
14
400 12
(mean seconds)

Total interactions

10
(mean seconds)

300
Play time

8
200 6

4
100
2

Male Female Male Female


Sex of human subjects masculine toys Sex of monkey subjects

feminine toys

▲ Figure 1.2 Bar charts showing the similarity between the findings of Hassett et al.
(right) and a similar study conducted with human infants (left)

Conclusions
Toy preferences in both humans and monkeys are influenced by hormonal sex
differences. These biological differences lead males and females to prefer different
activities. Differing activity/play preferences lead to sex differences in cognition
and behaviour.

12 Check your answers at www.hoddereducation.com/cambridgeextras

9781398344433.indb 12 14/08/23 7:19 PM


1 The Biological approach

Evaluation
▼ Table 1.5 Strengths and weaknesses of Hassett et al.

Strengths Weaknesses
Reliability – the well-operationalised behavioural Objectivity – the researchers who analysed the
checklist meant behaviours were consistently coded in videotapes were very familiar with the monkeys, which
the same way. could lead to observer bias.
Validity – use of unobtrusive video cameras meant Generalisations – Eight of the 11 male monkeys were
that behaviour was likely to be more spontaneous and juveniles, and the only high-ranking male in the troop
unaffected by human presence. did not interact with any of the toys.

Issues and debates


Application to everyday life
» The findings may be helpful to people who design and market toys, as well as
SKILLS
parents and other adults when buying toys for children. BUILDER
» Empathy and language skills could be developed in boys through play with
wheeled toys which have expressive faces. Fenella thinks the
» Visuospatial skills could be developed in girls using toys with moving parts that findings of Hassett et
can be used to create a social situation, such as a school bus with dolls for the al. support the nature
driver and children on board. side of the nature–
nurture debate, but
her friend Meera is
Nature versus nurture not so sure. Outline
» The findings support nature over nurture. why you think either
» Differences in toy preference result from hormonal differences between the Fenella or Meera
sexes. is correct, using
» Males showed stronger sex-typed toy preferences than females. evidence from the
» Toy preferences were also affected by social rank. Role within the group also study. [2]
affected time spent interacting with toys. Sex was not the only important factor.
This type of question
requires careful
Use of children and animals in psychological research reading of both the
» Conclusions from animals were extrapolated to children. stem (the sentence
» Using animals allowed the researchers to control the environment, increasing about Fenella and
validity. Meera) and the actual
» From a very early age, children start to learn about social norms for play and toy question. Focus on
preferences based on gender (e.g. from advertising, observing their peers). Using evidence to support
animals allowed the researchers to examine the effect of biological factors (e.g. either Fenella or
hormones) without the confounding variable of previous social and cultural Meera, but not both.
experiences.

1.3 Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

STUDY TIP
Have you tried the Leitner technique? This technique relies on
spaced repetition, an evidence-based strategy to improve knowledge
retention. Watch online videos and check websites such as The
Learning Scientists (http://learningscientists.org) to find out more.
The technique involves revisiting material either daily, every other
day or every week, depending on how well you remember it. You can
use it to learn details, such as which brain structures increased or
decreased in grey matter concentration (GMC) in this study.

▲ Figure 1.3 Mindfulness could be used to


develop non-judgemental attitudes in
the workplace, helping team members to
work together more productively

Cambridge International AS/A Level Psychology Study and Revision Guide Third Edition 13

9781398344433.indb 13 14/08/23 7:19 PM


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The Project Gutenberg eBook of The virtues of
common water
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Title: The virtues of common water


or, The advantages thereof, in preventing and curing many
distempers : gathered from the writings of several eminent
physicians, and also from more than forty years experience

Author: John Smith

Contributor: Ralph Thoresby

Release date: April 14, 2024 [eBook #73394]

Language: English

Original publication: Dundee: T. Covill and Son, 1799

Credits: Charlene Taylor, Thiers Halliwell and the Online Distributed


Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VIRTUES OF
COMMON WATER ***
Transcriber’s notes:
Apart from the corrections listed below, the text of this e-book has been preserved as in
the original.
universa → universal
Digeston → Digestion
liqours → liquors
hydochondriac → hypochondriac
childdren → children
loosenese → looseness
watet → water
appply → apply
rhey → they
absoltue → absolute
or → of
yest → yeast
distilation → distillation
mettalic → metallic
Leediensis → Leodiensis
sudirifics → sudorifics
primative → primitive
closs → close
it → is
decripedness → decrepidness
THE

VIRTUES
OF

COMMON WATER:
OR,

THE ADVANTAGES THEREOF,


IN

PR EVEN TIN G AND C URING MANY DISTEMP ER S.


GATHERED

From the writings of several eminent Physicians, and


also from more than forty years experience.

By JOHN SMITH, C. M.

To which is added,
SOME RULES FOR PRESERVING HEALTH BY DIET.

That’s the best physic, which doth cure our ills


Without the charge of ’pothecaries bills.

THE TENTH EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.

COMMUNICATED BY
Mr RALPH THORESBY, F. R. S. and Others.

DUN DEE,
PRINTED BY T. COLVILL AND SON,
FOR

G . MIL L N, B OOKSEL L ER.


1799.
THE

VIRTUES
OF

COMMON WATER.

F
or the benefit of mankind in general, I have taken pains to give
the world an account of what I have found written in the works
of the most eminent physicians, concerning the good that mankind
may receive from the use of Common Water; and of the
informations I have had concerning the benefits thereof from others
by word of mouth; and of what I have discovered by my own
experience, from frequent trials, during a time that hath intervened
from that of thirty to seventy-four years of age: which is sufficient to
confirm the stupendious effects thereof; especially in the many
particulars that shall be mentioned as my own discovery with respect
to this excellent remedy, which will perform cures with very little
trouble, and without any charge, and is also to be had wherever
there are any habitations, which can hardly be said of any other: So
that in some sense water may be truly stiled, an universal remedy,
since the diseases it either prevents or cures may have this remedy
applied to all persons, and in all places where men inhabit.
The first commendation of Common Water I shall
Excellency of
Water. mention, is that of Dr Manwaring, in his Method and
means of enjoying health; wherein he saith, that water is a
wholesome drink, or rather the most wholesome—being appointed
for man in his best state; which doth strongly argue that drink to be
the most suitable for human nature—answering all the intentions of
common drinks; for it cools, moistens, and quencheth thirsts; ’tis
clear, thin, and fit to convey the nourishment through the smallest
vessels of the body—and it is a drink that is a rule to itself, and
requires little caution in the use of it, since none will be tempted to
drink of it more than needs: And that, in the primitive ages of the
world, water-drinkers, he says, were the longest livers by some
hundreds of years—not so often sick and complaining as we are.
Digestion to Dr Keill, treating of the stomach, in his Abridgment of
help. the anatomy of human bodies, saith, that water seems
the fittest to promote the digestion of food; all spirituous liquors
having a property by which they hurt, rather than help digestion; the
sad effects of which they are sensible of, he saith, who by a long use
thereof have lost their appetites, hardly ever to be restored without
drinking water, which seldom faileth of procuring a good appetite
and a strong digestion. With which Dr. Baynard agrees, affirming,
“That water liquifies and concocts our food better than any
fermented liquor whatever.” Hist. of cold bathing, p. 440.
Diseases to Dr. Prat, in his treatise of mineral waters, shews it to
prevent. be his judgment, that, if people would accustom
themselves to drink water, they would be more free from many
diseases; such as tremblings, palsies, apoplexies, giddiness, pains in
the head, gout, stone, dropsy, rheumatism, piles, and such like:
which diseases are most common among them that drink strong
drinks, and which water generally would prevent. Moreover, he saith,
that water plentifully drank, strengthens the stomach, causeth an
appetite, preserves the sight, maketh the senses lively, and
cleanseth all the passages of the body, especially those of the
kidneys and bladder.
Health to ’Tis also said by Dr. Duncan, in his treatise of hot
procure by liquors, that, when men contented themselves with
Water. water, they had more health and strength; and that at
this day those who drink nothing but water are more healthy, and
live longer, than those who drink strong liquors, which raise the heat
of the stomach to excess, whereas water keeps it in a due temper.
And he adds in another part of the book, that by hot liquor the blood
is inflamed; and such whose blood is inflamed, live not so long as
those who are of a cooler temper; a hot blood being commonly the
cause of fluxes, rheums, ill digestion, pains in the limbs, head-ach,
dimness of sight, and especially of hysteric vapours. He also imputes
the cause of ulcers to a hot blood, and declares, that if men kept
their blood cool and sweet, by a moderate and cooling diet, they
would never be troubled with ulcers, or other breakings-out. Which
coolness of the blood will be well attained to by drinking a large
draught of water in the morning, which also will carry off the bilious
and salt recrements by urine. And, if water is drank also after dinner,
it will cool a hot stomach, and prevent the rising of those
fermentations which cause wind and belching after meat. So that if
persons who are liable to these disorders will leave off strong liquors
and a hot diet, and drink water, they will procure better health to
themselves than they had before.
Some of the Sir John Floyer also, in his treatise of cold baths, p.
good 109, edit. 5, affirms, that water-drinkers are temperate
properties of
Water.
in their actions, prudent and ingenious; they live safe
from those diseases which affect the head, such as
apoplexies, palsies, pain, blindness, deafness, gout, convulsions,
trembling, madness: And the drinking of water cures the hiccough,
fætor of the mouth, and of the whole body; it resists putrefaction,
and cools burning heats and thirsts, and after dinner it helps
digestion.—And if the virtues of cold water were seriously
considered, all persons would value it as a great medicine, in
preventing the stone, asthma, and hysteric fits; and to the use of
this, children ought to be bred up from their cradles. And, in page
434, he saith, That as water is in chief the universal drink of the
world—so it is the best, and most salubrious. And, in page 434. That
he hath known where a regular drinking of spring-water hath done
considerable cures by washing off the acrid, scorbutic salts from the
blood, and strengthening the coats and fibres of the stomach and
bowels, and hath brought on a good appetite, and a strong
digestion. And I add, that it will infallibly do it in all curable cases.
Cold Water Having read over an old book written by Sir Thomas
strengthenin Elliot, intituled, The castle of health, he there declared
g.
from his own experience, that in the county of
Cornwall, tho’ it was a very cold quarter, the poorer sort, which in his
time did never, or but very seldom, drink any other drinks but water,
were strong of body, and lived to a very great age. To which relation
that of Sir Henry Blunt’s is very agreeable, who affirmed, in his book
of travels into the Levant, (where under the Turkish government the
use of wine was forbid, and where the common drink is water) that
he then had a better stomach to his food, and digested it more
kindly than he ever did before or since.
Digestion And in the treatise of the vanity of philosophy, written
considered. by Dr. Gideon Harvey, it is affirmed, that it is not heat
that causeth a good digestion, but a proper ferment, or liquor
provided by nature, to dissolve the food into a substance like unto
pap made with fine flour; which dissolvent, he saith, is much
depraved by hot spirituous liquors; and therefore he commends
water above all other drinks to promote digestion.
Gout and Water-drinking is also said by Dr. Allen to be good to
Hypochondri prevent two deplorable distempers, the gout and the
ac
Melancholy. hypochondriac melancholy; For, says he, the gout is
generally caused by too great drinking of fermented
liquors, and is never said to have assaulted any drinker of water;
and he saith also, that melancholy hypochondriac is kept off longest
by drinking water instead of strong drink. To which let me add, that I
once knew a gouty gentleman, who, to avoid his drinking
companions in London, retired to New Brentford, where I then lived;
in which town, by a very temperate diet of one meal a day, and
drinking only water, he lived two whole years free from pain: But
being visited by one who came that way, and invited to drink but
one bottle of Claret between them, he fell next day into a terrible fit
of the gout, which held above a month after; of which being
recovered, he by the same course continued well till I left the place,
which was about a year and an half after.
Gravel. The good properties of water are further manifested in
preventing the breeding of gravel in the kidneys; for
Zechias, in Consult. 17. as quoted by Salmon, affirms, that nothing
so much abates the heat of the kidneys, and frees them from those
recrements which cause pain in the back, one great sign of gravel,
as water does; but he adviseth to drink it warm. By the use of
which, he saith, the unnatural heat in time will be so extinguished,
that no more of that matter causing gravel will be produced in the
body. Which assertion by experience I have found to be true; for
observing much gravel to be voided by me, also abundance of
matter floating in the urine like bran; with a great number of
recrements like cuttings of hair, some above an inch long, which
substances were found in all the water that I made in above twelve
months; for which I could get no remedy: I was advised to drink
water, which in about half a year did entirely free me from those
symptoms, which some out of ignorance imputed to witchcraft, so
that from that time to this I never have been troubled with it.
Stone in the Water also is commended as efficacious to prevent the
Bladder. breeding of the stone in the bladder; for it hath been
observed, that in some who have been cut for the stone, that new
stones have been engendered, so that some young persons have
been cut several times. Now, to prevent this, the drinking water hath
been advised with success; for by this that intemperate heat in the
body was abated, which did occasion the distemper. Some have
advised to drink it warm, and others cold, particularly Van Heyden, a
physician of Ghent in Flanders, in his book intituled, Help for the rich
and poor; which, he saith, in p. 40, is sufficiently insinuated by Piso
and Alexander, who assure us, that the taking a draught of cold
water in the morning hath done so much good, that several, after
the voiding of a stone, never had any more stones grew in them.
Stone to Which experiment may give light to the discovery of a
dissolve. way to cure the stone without cutting: For if the
growing of new stones can be prevented by drinking water, let it be
hot or cold, it may prevent a stone from growing bigger when
begun; and if the adding matter to increase a stone new begun, can
be prevented, nature in time may waste that which is begun,
especially if some drops of sweet spirit of nitre be added to all the
water drank, which will powerfully help to cool, and is known to be
an admirable mover or provoker of urine, and will waste a stone,
and make it crumble like fuller’s earth, if applied to a stone taken
from the body. Or the water may be sweetened with honey, which is
now much in use among the gentry, as I am informed by an
ingenious apothecary; who told me, that, among them at present,
pump-water and honey are in great repute to give ease in gravel:
And there is so near an affinity between gravel and the stone, that
what is proper for one, will doubtless be suitable for the other, and
will prevent the growth of both.
Beneficial in Water is also stiled in Senertus’ works, The balsam of
child-bearing. children, the drinking of it by the mother being one of
those things whereby children will be strengthened in the womb,
and will prevent those injuries that are done them by womens
drinking strong liquors; which Samson’s mother was not allowed to
do, for she was commanded not to drink wine or strong drink, Judg.
xiii. 4. But I will not say, if all women should do this, their children
shall be as strong as Samson was; yet this I will say, if they would
do this, they would find their children more free from distempers
and frowardness, and so much more easy to nurse and bring up,
and be less liable to an immature death; the want of which
abstinence from strong drinks, is the cause why so many rich people
find it hard to bring up children, in comparison to what is done by
the poor: For these last are born of mothers who not only are
prevented from being gluttons by their want of dainties, which are
deceitful meat, Prov. xxiii. 3. but they seldom taste wine or strong
drink; whereas the rich not only feed high, but also drink strong
drinks, which in most constitutions do overheat and corrupt the
humours of the body, and that blood by which their children are
nourished during their pregnancy: which injury to unborn infants
would be prevented, if the mother would be temperate in diet, and
drink water, especially at meals, by which the blood of the mother
would be kept cool and clean; which must needs communicate a
healthful substance to the child within her, and prevent all those
distempers which infants bring with them into the world.
Increases And here it may be proper to add, what by divers
milk in experiments it hath been found to be true, that the
women.
drinking water by nurses, while they give suck to
children, will wonderfully increase milk in those that want it, as every
one will find, who can be persuaded to make use thereof. I have
advised many to use it, who have found that, by drinking a large
draught of water at bed-time, they have been supplied with milk
sufficient for that night; when before they wanted it, and could not
be supplied by any other means: And besides, they who have found
their children restless, by reason of too much heat in their milk, do
find them much more quiet after their milk is cooled by water-
drinking.
Stays hunger, By drinking water also the want of food for a time may
and prevents be suffered without starving: For I have been informed
starving.
by a credible friend, who was an officer at sea, that
being sent down to Stafford to see some men conveyed on
shipboard, that had been pressed by act of Parliament for the sea-
service; he found in the prison where they were kept a lusty fellow,
who had declared he would starve himself rather than go to sea;
and, taking particular notice thereof, he found upon due enquiry,
that for twenty days he had refused to eat any manner of food, only
he drank each day about three pints or two quarts of water, hoping
thereby to get himself discharged: But when he found his
pretensions to be in vain, and that in or about two days they should
all march for London, he condescended to eat some food, beginning
with a little; and in the march he was observed to travel as well as
the best man. I find also an account in Dr. Car’s letters, of a certain
crack-brained person, who at Leyden, when the doctor resided in
that university, pretended he could fast as long as Christ did; and it
was found he held out the time of forty days without eating any
food, only he drank water and smoked tobacco. And I once had a
sad complaint from a poor old woman of the greatness of her want,
affirming, that oftentimes she had not eaten any food for two or
three days; upon which I asked her, if she did not then suffer much
uneasiness in her stomach? she said she did; but found a way at last
to asswage her hunger by drinking water, which satisfied her
appetite.
Strengthens Water is also of great use to strengthen weak children;
weak For we are informed by Dr Joseph Brown, in his
children.
treatise of cures performed by cold baths, that the
Welsh women do preserve their children from the rickets, by
washing them night and morning in cold water, till they are three
quarters of a year old, p. 79. And ’tis said by Sir John Floyer, in his
treatise on cold baths, that a lady in Scotland, who had lost several
children thro’ weakness, did, by the advice of a Highland beggar
woman, preserve those she had afterwards, by washing them daily
in cold water. And I myself advised a neighbour, whose child began
to be ricketty, to treat the child in the same manner; but she,
instead of washing, dipped it over head and ears every morning, it
being then in the summer-time: The event of which was, the child
became strong, and had a good countenance, tho’ before it was very
pale and wan: Which shews how great the power of water is, when
used outwardly, to invigorate the spirits, and strengthen nature.
Swellings It is also a known custom, to prevent the swellings
from bruises. that follow bruises in the faces of children, by
immediately applying thereunto a linen cloth four or six times
double, dipped in cold water, and new dipped as it begins to grow
warm; for the cold repels or prevents the flowing of humours to the
part, which otherwise would cause great swelling, and after turn
blackish: And if upon neglecting to do so, a swelling should succeed,
it may be discussed by fomenting night and morning, for an hour at
a time, with water as hot as can be endured; for that will give vent
to the humours to transpire through the skin, or dissolve them, so as
to make them capable of returning back.
All sickness Moreover, by means of water all sickness at the
at the stomach may be cured, which is done thus: Take four
stomach to
cure.
quarts of water, make it as hot over the fire as you can
drink it: of which water let a quart be taken down at
several draughts; then wrap a rag round a small piece of stick, till it
is about the bigness of a man’s thumb; tie it fast with some thread;
and with this, by endeavouring gently to put it a little way down your
throat, provoke yourself to vomit up again most of the water: Then
drink another quart, and vomit up that, and repeat the same the
third and fourth time, if once or twice is not sufficient. You may also
provoke vomiting by tickling your throat with your finger, or the
feather-end of a goose quill; but the cloth round a skewer maketh
one vomit with more ease, which is done with no trouble when the
stomach is full. And by this way of vomiting, which will be all
performed in an hour’s time, that viscous and ropy phlegm in the
stomach, which causeth the sickness, will be cast up, so that the
party in that time will be free from all that inward disturbance, if you
use the remedy at first; but, if the sickness hath continued for a
time, it will require the same course once or twice more, which may
be done in three or four hours, one after another, without any other
inconvenience, besides that of being a little sore in the breast the
next day, which will soon go off by the force of nature. Which
remedy, by forty years experience, I look upon to be infallible in all
sickness at the stomach, from what cause soever, and for all pains in
the belly which seem to be above the navel; for these are all in the
stomach, as by long experience I have found: Which pains are
generally counted the cholic; but it is not so; for true cholics are
always below the navel, in the gut colon. And by this means I have
eased very great pains caused by eating mussels that were
poisonous; and it is also a certain cure for all surfeits or disorders
that follow after much eating. So that the lives of multitudes might
be saved by this means, who, for want of expelling what offends,
often die in misery: For, by thus cleansing the stomach at the first,
the root of diseases proceeding from surfeiting, or unwholsome
food, or any viscous humours from a bad digestion, are prevented;
the stomach being the place in which all distempers at first begin.
No man was more subject to sickness than myself before thirty years
of age; but since I found out the way of vomiting with water, which
is now above forty years, I never have been sick for two days
together: For, when I find myself ill to any great degree, I betake
myself to this way of vomiting, which in an hour’s time restores me
to ease, and perfectly removes my illness. And the same benefit all
my family find in it, as do others also whom I can persuade to try
the experiment, which is such, that no physician whatever can
advise a better to the king himself, should he fall sick. For, in the first
place, it is not a nauseous remedy, it does not make the patient sick,
as the best of all other vomits do; and then it is a vomit which is at
our own command, since we can leave off when we please: And it
infallibly works a cure to all sick stomachs, from whatever cause.
Digestion to Some few indeed pretend they are not able to vomit
cause. by this means: Now, if they cannot vomit, let them
take a pint of water when they find themselves ill from eating, and
do so every three or four hours, eating no more till they are hungry;
and they will find the water digest and carry off what was offensive.
The ingenious Dr. Cheyne, in his Treatise of the gout, affirms, that
warm water drank freely in a morning fasting, and at meals, (and I
say cold water is as good) hath a sovereign remedy for restoring left
appetites, and strengthening weak digestions, when other more
pompous medicines have failed. And he adviseth gouty persons,
after excess either in meat or drink, to swill down as much fair
water, as their stomach will bear, before they go to bed, whereby
they will reap these advantages, either the contents of the stomach
will be thrown up, or both meat and drink will be much diluted, and
the labour and expence of spirits in digestion much saved, p. 44. ed.
4: And indeed I have found by long experience, that nothing causeth
so good a digestion as fair water; but this requires time to free us
from the uneasiness that an ill digestion causeth, whereas vomiting
is an immediate remedy, and frees a man from it upon the spot.
Other We are told by Sir John Floyer, in his Treatise of bath
benefits of and mineral springs, that vomiting with water is very
vomiting with
water.
useful in the gout, sciatica, wind, shortness of breath,
hypochondriac melancholy, and falling-sickness; which
distempers are generally derived from evil matter contained in the
stomach, as is likewise giddiness in the head, and apoplexies, with
which myself once seemed to be threatened: For, after eating a
plentiful dinner, I was seized with giddiness, and the sight of my
eyes became so depraved, that things seemed double, which was
accompanied with a strange consternation of spirit; and having read,
that apoplexies generally seize after eating, I immediately called for
water, and, net daring to stay till it was warmed, I drank it cold, and
by the help of my finger provoked vomiting: Upon which I did
immediately overcome the evils I was threatened with, the
symptoms before-mentioned being the same as did precede the fit
of an apoplexy in another person, as himself afterwards told me,
who died of it the third fit, about a year after.
Shortness of As for people who are troubled with shortness of
breath. breath, it is certain from experience, that vomiting with
warm water three or four times, will afford certain relief. And the
same may be prevented by drinking nothing but water afterwards,
either cold or warmed with a toast. For, upon doing this, the
difficulty of breathing will apparently abate; which water, if you
please, may be boiled with honey. And I knew one, who by this
means, as he was advised by me, lived comfortably in this city two
or three winters, but, having undertaken business which did
occasion drinking strong drinks, was the next winter carried off by
the distemper: Wine, ale, or brandy, being as bad as poison to
people troubled with shortness of breath. So that nothing but water
ought to be drank in that distemper.
Vomiting to Some people are taken with violent vomiting, and the
cure. excess thereof in some hath been so great as to
endanger their lives, yea, cause death: In which case water will be
very helpful; for, if a pint of it warmed be drank after every vomit, it
will prevent that violent straining, wherein lieth the danger of all
vomiting, because to strain violently, when but little will come up,
endangers the breaking of some inward vessel. And, besides this,
the offending matter will be sooner loosened from the internal part
of the stomach, and cast out, upon which the vomiting will sooner
cease: For after this manner the famous Sydenham, a most honest
writer, did overcome the cholera morbus, or vomiting and looseness,
so common in his time, and was found by the weekly bill to kill more
than now die of convulsions; for his way was to boil a chicken in four
gallons of water, which made a broth not such differing from water,
of which he ordered large draughts to be given, and some of it to be
taken by clyster, till the whole quantity was spent, if the vomiting did
not stop before; which did so take off the sharpness of the matter
offending, and wash it out, that the party in a little time became
well. And the same was the practice of Sigismundus Grafius, who
commends pure water in a vomiting or looseness to be drank in
large quantities; for thereby, he saith, the corrosive and sharp
humours will be so weakened, that they will no more offend: And he
saith, it may be drank cold if the patient be strong, otherwise let it
be warmed.
Fluxes. And in common fluxes without vomiting, a quart or
more of warm water drank, will so weaken the
sharpness whereby the distemper is caused, that is will soon be
overcome, and the gripings eased. And in the bloody flux, which is
the most dangerous of all fluxes, the ingenious Cornelius Celsus
adviseth a large drinking of cold water as the best of remedies: But
then no other substance must be taken till the disease is cured. And
Lusitanus, another great physician, affirms, Cent. 1. Obser. 46. that
he knew one, who, being in the summer-time afflicted with the
bloody flux, drank a large quantity of cold water, and thereby
recovered. This large quantity of water, in these fluxes, doth so
correct the sharpness of the humour offending, that it can have no
power to cause pain, or corrode the vessels, and cause bloody
digestions or stools.
Consumption Water also is a drink that conduceth above all things to
s. cure consumptive people; for the digestion being
weakened, is the cause of producing a hot fretting nourishment,
which is injurious to the tender substance of the lungs, and which
constringes and stops up the lymphatic vessels thro’ which the
nourishment is to pass to all the parts, so that by degrees the body
for want of due supplies consumes: Which obstructions, and that
acrimony which causeth them, will be opened and sweetened by the
plentiful use of water, if taken before the lungs become ulcerous.
Which cure of consumptions by water is recommended in the
writings of Dr. Couch, who, in his Praxis Catholica, tells us, that he
knew a man cured very soon of a consumption by drinking pure
water. And it is said by another, that some have been cured of
consumptions by drinking no other drink but water, avoiding all malt
liquors, and sharp wines: For wine or any other strong liquor is
pernicious in this distemper, whose original is affirmed by Dr Coward
to be always in the stomach, from some intemperance in meat or
drink.
Flushes in Some there are who are much troubled with flushing
the face. heat in the face, and others with a heat in the back; in
both which cases, water used as common drink is the best remedy,
with a spare cooling diet: And it is also excellent for such as have
red blotches in their face, which proceed from a hot fretting blood,
which by water-drinking, and a moderate diet, will be kept under:
For as Dr. Duncan, before quoted, doth affirm, those who keep their
blood cool and clean, are never troubled with breakings-out, like
many others, who may be known to be drinkers of hot drinks, and to
use a hot full diet, by their faces being full of blotches.
Cholic. Water is also commended by the learned for the cholic;
large drinking of water hath been found to be an
excellent remedy. And it is said by Fortis, that when he practised at
Venice, he often gave cold water in the cholic, with good success.
With whom an English physician, Dr. Wainwright, in his Mechanical
account of the six non-naturals, concurs; for he saith, that water-
drinkers are never troubled with the cholic, and that many thereby
have been cured, when all other remedies failed: But in this case a
quart at least is required.
Small Pox. And, in the Small Pox, water hath also been proved to
be an excellent drink. Salmon, in his Synopsis
Medicinæ, saith, that in this distemper you may safely give the sick
fair water, of which, says he, they may drink liberally to quench
thirst; the want of which plenty of drink, hath been the death of
many a patient. Which opinion of his was right, as by experience I
have found in two of my own children, when sick of this distemper;
to whom, after I had given a gentle vomit of emetic tartar, I gave no
other drink but water, and they both recovered safely, and were not
in the least light-headed, as two others before were in the same
distemper, when treated otherwise. And I remember that one Dr.
Betts, being consulted in a case where the eruption did not come
out kindly, ordered two quarts of cold water to be drank as soon as
could be, upon which they came out according to expectation, and
the party did well.
Burning It is also certain, that, in what we call burning fevers,
fevers. water is found to be a safe and effectual remedy. It is
said by Dr. Primrose, in his Popular Errors, that many great
physicians have commended the drinking cold water in diseases, and
they attribute to it the chief place in fevers, where the sick must
drink largely; for thus taken it will quench all heat, p. 374. And Galen
is said, by an English author, to reprove Crasistratus for denying cold
water in burning fevers; and says, that this is a remedy for any fever,
provided it be drank in great abundance. With which opinion I find
Dr. Oliver to agree, who, in his Essay on Fevers, says, that in fevers
we must drink oftner than thirst calls for it, and such draughts as are
plentiful; and the drink he prescribes is either cold water or barley-
water. Dr. Wainwright affirms also, that water is proper in fevers, and
that the ancients gave as much of it as the patient could drink. And
by another it is said, that if you give the patient nothing but water
for three days, that in the third day the fever will be cured generally;
but, if it is not, give for food a little barley-broth, and the fever will
not exceed the seventh day. And by another we are informed, how
one in a fever, that was past hope, being forbidden to drink water,
which he greatly desired, did find means, in the absence of his
nurse, to get a large potfull, which he drank off, and lay down again,
being well cooled; after which he fell into a sweat, and so was
cured. Dr. Cook of Warwick, in his book of Observations on English
bodies, prescribes for the cure of fevers, first a vomit, and
afterwards as much cold water as the patient can drink; and he
saith, that, if he sweat upon it, the sweat must be continued as long
as can be. And it is said by another, that it is an excellent remedy in
fevers to drink a quart of hot water, and sweat upon it, being
covered warm. Dr. Quinton, in his book of Observations, writes, that
to one in a malignant fever, whose pulse was so low it could scarcely
be felt, there were three quarts of water given, at several draughts,
to make him vomit; but it did not operate that way, yet the event
was this: It refreshed him much, raised his pulse, brought him into a
breathing sweat, and passed off by urine; which lowness of the
pulse I have often found to be raised in other cases, by drinking
water plentifully. And I know a woman, who, tho’ she in a fever had
the advice of two doctors, yet became distracted; I bid the nurse
give her a pint of cold water, which she drank up, and in three or
four minutes came to her right senses; and desiring to drink more,
she recovered. And I have observed, that when in fevers the patient
can relish no other drink, yet water is always drank with pleasure, as
it also will always be after the eating of sweet things, that spoil the
relish of other drinks; which is one excellence peculiar to water, and
shews it to be most agreeable to the nature of mankind, tho’ now so
much slighted. And, besides this, it is a drink that will not turn sour
in the stomach, as all fermented drinks will do, to the increase of
distempers already begun there, by acidity or sourness.
Gout. And as for the gout, which Dr. Harris saith, in his Anti
Empiric, is gotten either by high feeding or drinking
much wine, or other strong drink; it may be cured, as that author
affirms, by a very spare diet, and drinking water: According to what
is said also by Sir Theodore Mayhern, who, in his Medicinal Counsels,
adviseth to leave off all strong drinks in this disease, and drink only
water. And Van Heyden saith also, in his Treatise of help for the rich
and poor, that there is not any greater remedy for the gout than
drinking water, not only by young, but old men; many of whom, he
saith, have drank cold water for many weeks, which hath succeeded
so well, though they were far gone in years, that they found great
ease thereby, without that offence to the stomach, or hindrance of
digestion, which some did not seem to fear. And he also commends
the large drinking of water in the sciatica or hip-gout, he having
often cured that distemper, by this means, in less time than could
reasonably be expected. And the same I have found to be effectual
in a pain in the shoulder, which had continued very bad for three
months: For, being taken with a fever, I drank in one day about four
quarts of water; which tho’ it did not make me sweat, because I lay
not in my bed, yet it cured me so that I slept well that night; and, in
the morning when I rose, the pain in my shoulder was not felt,
neither did it ever return. And the same success I have had in the
pains of other parts; whereby, I judge, that, in all pains whatever,
the drinking of water is proper, as well as in the gout: And
accordingly I find cold water advised to be drank largely for the cure
of the head-ach from hard drinking; that pain proceeding from the
same cause the gout does, namely, from heat, as all pains do, that
are not from bruises.
Inflammatory It is said also by Dr. Wainwright, that in the itch,
distempers & scurvy, leprosy, and all hot inflammatory distempers,
wind.
such as pleurisies, rheumatisms, and St. Anthony’s fire,
water is a proper remedy; but he adviseth to drink it hot in some
cases, as doubtless it ought to be done in pleurisies. He also saith,
that water is proper in head-achs, catarrhs, vapours, falling-sickness,
dulness of sight, melancholy, shortness of breath, scurvy in the
mouth, and windiness in the stomach: And for this wind in the
stomach, I, by long experience, have found it the best remedy, who
in the former part of my life, through a disorderly diet, and drinking
strong drink like others, was never free from windy belchings, and
sometimes very sickish qualms after meals; from which at length I
was delivered, by drinking only water at meals; so that for above
forty years I have been seldom troubled: And, if I find myself
troubled, a pint or more of cold water, in less than half an hour will
set me free, by drinking of it.
Hard And that water is the best remedy for the mischiefs
drinking. that come by hard drinking, experience teacheth; there
being nothing that so effectually frees from these nauseating and
reaching qualms the next morning, as the drinking a pint or more of
fair water; which effectually allays the inflammation of the bowels,
occasioned by strong or hot drink, which spoils the strength of the
stomach, and of all other parts; nothing being a greater enemy to
the vigour of the nerves and sinews, since by much drinking, men
make themselves unable to stand or go; which effect would never
follow, if liquors that abound with spirits were strengthening; nor
would the fibres of the stomach be so weakened after drinking
strong drinks, as to make men sick; which sickness will soonest be
recovered by the drinking cold water, this being also the best
remedy, if taken largely, for that heat of urine often occasioned by
hard drinking.
Colds and In colds, water is the best of all drinks to prevent
bad floods of rheum from the nose and mouth, as my long
digestion.
experience testifies, and therefore will prevent coughs;
for a cough will seldom succeed a cold, if water is used from the first
as common drink: And if, through neglect, a cough should become
troublesome, the use of water, avoiding all wine and strong drink,
will contribute much to the cure. Some order the water to be drank
warm, but others say, that the drinking it cold vastly excells the
using it hot in a cough. It is said by Van Heydon, that some may
think it strange to advise water in such diseases, which most
account to proceed from crudity or indigestion; but he says, that, in
any disease where the case is dangerous, the use of water is the
only friend to nature; cold being a preventer rather than a cause of
crudity; since by all experience it is proved to be a promoter of good
digestion. And at this time I know a woman, seventy-eight years of
age, who for ten years past hath had a great cough, and spit much
tough phlegm, that this present winter 1722, hath been persuaded
to leave off both strong and small fermented liquor, and drink only
water at meals, and sometimes a dish or two of tea; and hath found
herself much less subject to cough than before, and scarce coughs
at all in bed, tho’ subject before to cough very much in the night:
She also drinks at bed-time half a pint of cold water, and the same
Heart burn. quantity first in the morning, and finds more comfort
by it at so great an age, than wine hath at any time
afforded, Moreover, drinking of water is a certain cure for the heart-
burning; as some affirm.
Strong drinks It is generally the opinion of most physicians, that wine
hurtful to and strong drinks are not proper for children; and that
children.
the smaller and cooler their drink is, the better it will
be with them; and that nothing conduceth more to the health of
children than drinking water, which will prevent the foundation of
those diseases that are caused in many by strong drink, and shew
themselves in their more advanced age, wherein many also suffer
much by the mother’s ill custom of making them gluttons, by
constantly cramming their stomachs with food, many being thereby
destroyed among the children of the rich, before they come to the
years of maturity; when the children of poor country people, who
fare hard, stand their ground till full grown: For fewer children die in
the country than in great cities, where luxury in diet doth more
abound; which is one reason why so few house-keepers in London
were born in it, the great supply of inhabitants being from the
country, children being brought up more hardy there than in London,
where great numbers are killed by over-eating or pleasing their
palates. Which mischief would be in a great measure prevented by
their being accustomed to eat less, and drink water; this by
experience being found to make young children free from that
frowardness, which is commonly caused by a sharp, and hot, or
feverish blood, which engendereth wind, and causeth pain and
gripes: for there is no pain but is the consequence of heat, or inward
as well as outward inflammations.
Fair water To what hath been said may be added this
equal to that consideration, that, when the best physicians are
at Tunbridge.
baffled by some distempers, they advise their patients
to use the water of some mineral spring, tacitly acknowledging
thereby, that all their prescription may be excelled by water. They
pretend indeed to ascribe its effects to some minerals with which the
waters are tinctured: But Dr. Baynard, in p. 438, of Sir John Floyer’s
Cold bathing, tells of a certain person who used to frequent
Tunbridge, by which he found much benefit; but, being hindered
from going thither one season, drank the same quantity of water
taken from the pump of a spring in his own yard, which did him as
much service: whereupon he wrote thus upon his pump:
Steel is a cheat;
’Tis Water does the feat.
And, indeed, if we consider how many diseases and pains proceed
from a sizey, thick blood, which cannot pass as it ought to do
through the finest pipes that convey the blood to the parts, pure
water, without minerals, drank to the quantity of a quart or three
pints in a morning, will attenuate or thin the blood sufficiently:
Nothing, as Boerhaave affirms, being a greater diluter of thick blood,
than warm water drank in great quantity. Which to thin the blood
may be best, tho’ to strengthen the stomach it is best drank cold,
having the same effect inwardly, in some cases, as cold bathing hath
outwardly; its use this way being also great.
Burns and For water I have found, by long experience, to be of
Scalds. excellent use in burns and scalds; for in all burns and
scalds, that are slight, if the part is plunged immediately into cold
water, the colder the better, the pain will instantly be taken off; and
it will fetch out the fire, if continued so long as will be required to do
it by any other remedy. And if the burn be so considerable, that
other remedies must be applied, none of which will take off the
smart of themselves in less than two or three hours; yet if you apply
cold water presently, after other applications are made to the part,
the pain will immediately cease, till the remedy becomes effectual:
So that the ease water will give in such cases, makes it of good use.
Which remedy, as it hath not been discovered till now, appears to
transcend all other remedies in this case; because, in a moment, the
greatest smart will eased, if the water is cold, and will be felt no
more, if the part afflicted be kept immersed in it till the fire is
extinguished, either by the water, or the medicine applied. Besides,
it is a remedy every-where ready at hand, which cannot be said of
any other; which generally requires so much time to get it ready,
that much pain will be endured, if blisters do not arise, which do
much increase the trouble. If the part burnt, or scalded, cannot be
dipped in water, you may apply water to it, with double linen cloths
dipped therein, and new dipped as they grow warm; by which
means I have cured burns and scalds in the face without blistering,
when applied immediately before blisters did arise.
Ulcers from I once knew a large ulcer in the foot, made by the
burnings. running of melted brass into the shoe, that was kept in
hand by a surgeon nine weeks, without any probability of healing,
because of the great inflammation that attended it; but the party,
being a lover of angling, was persuaded to go with some others to
Hackney-river: Some of them went bare-legged into the water, to
come at a certain hole where much fish was sometimes found. The
sport was so good, that the lame man having pulled off his stockings
and plaisters, went in also, where he staid above two hours, and
coming out again, the ulcer, which appeared very red and angry
when he went in, looked pale; he put on his dressings, and came
home, and in less than a fortnight his ulcers healed up; which
doubtless was occasioned by the abating of the inflammation by the
coldness of the water. And I have had an account also from an
acquaintance, that was a surgeon to a merchant ship, that their
gunner, at a time when the captain treated some friends on board,
going to charge a gun that just before had been fired off, the
cartridge he was ramming down took fire, whereby he was blown
into the water, and had some of his fingers torn off, and it was about
an hour before a boat could be got to take him up: But they found
that the coldness of the water had almost stopt the bleeding, and
the cure was effected so speedily, that other surgeons wondered at
it; which he imputed to the water, which kept back the humours, by
its coldness, from flowing to the part at the first: So that there was
no impediment, from inflammation, to hinder healing; for the chief
impediment to healing, is inflammation in wounds or ulcers.
Hot Moreover, to bathe with cold water, is affirmed by Dr.
swellings. Lower to be a sovereign remedy for any hot swelling, if
continued a due time at the first beginning; and it is
affirmed also to be a good cure for the cramp.
Sprains and And as for strains and sprains in the joints, cold water
hot affords the best and most speedy remedy, as Van
swellings.
Heydon affirms; who saith, that, by bathing in cold
water, all harm so received may by this remedy be cured more safely
and more speedily than by any other, without loss of time, cost or
trouble; for no more is to be done, as I have often found, than, as
soon as can be, to put the part into a vessel of cold water for about
two hours, which will prevent all swelling and pain, by repelling or
keeping back the humours that otherwise would flow to the part.
And if it should be the shoulder, or any other part, which is so hurt,
that cannot well be immersed in water after this manner; water may
be applied, by dipping towels folded up into it, and laying them to
Sprains in the part, as is done, in effect, to the wrenched joints of
horses. horses, about which, if you wind oftentimes a thick
rope made of hay, and then cast upon it divers times a
pail of cold water, the wrench will be cured; which experiment is now
commonly practised by those concerned about horses.
Weakness of Bathing in cold water hath also been found to be a
the joints. good remedy to strengthen weakness in the joints, as
Sir John Floyer, in his treatise of Cold Bathing, hath shewed; and
which by experience I found to be true on a certain woman, who
complained of great weakness and pain in her ancles: I advised her
to dip the part in cold water every morning for a quarter of an hour,
and do the same at night; and in about twenty days she became as
strong in that part as she was in the other. And Sir John tells us of a
boy who could not stand, his limbs were so weak, that, by bathing in
cold water, perfectly recovered his strength in a little time.
Pain in the Great pain in the head hath been also cured by this
head. means; for we are told by Van Heydon, that Sir Toby
Matthews had for twenty years been troubled with great pain in one
side of his head, and a great defluxion of rheum from his nose: but
he at last was cured, by applying cold water to the part every day
for about a quarter of an hour: Upon reading of which, I tried the
experiment upon myself, who for a long time had been troubled with
the running of much clear water from my nose, with great spitting of
thin rheum; for I let a water-cock run upon the mould of my head
every morning, by which, in about six weeks time, I was eased of
my trouble. And since that, I had a credible information of a certain
servant maid, who was afflicted greatly with a rheumatism, and an
intolerable pain in the head, who being put into St. Thomas’s

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