Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 669

SIR JOHN FLOYER (1649-1734) The ancient psykhroloysia [Greek transliterated] revived: or, an essay to prove cold bathing both safe and useful. Sam. Smith and Benj. Walford 1702 [24] 328 [1] pp. 17.6 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 668

Floyer was a firm, almost fanatic, believer in the virtues of hydrotherapy and pressed his views to the extent that he was ridiculed by his peers as well as the press of his day. He initially expressed his ideas in An inquiry into the right use and abuses of the hot, cold, and temperate baths in England in 1697 and five years later published the present work which is largely historical in nature. The book is composed of a series of four letters written by Floyer in 1700 and 1701 as well as one highly supportive letter from Edward Baynard (1641-1719), a physician and balneological expert in London. The first two letters are to fellow physicians and concern the use of cold baths in ancient civilizations as well as the views of Hippocrates on their efficacy. He addresses one letter to a number of churchmen encouraging them to reinstitute the practice of immersion in baptism because it is of great benefit in curing many neonatal diseases and preventing diseases of an hereditary nature. The final letter is "to all those Worthy and Obliging Gentlemen" (p. 96) of Lichfield whom Floyer was able to persuade to contribute towards construction of a cold bath. In this lengthy letter he extols the virtues and cautions of cold bathing and includes a large number of successful case histories which serve to support his basic thesis. The work was well received and had reached its sixth and final edition by 1722.

Cited references: Cushing F210 (6th ed., 1732); Garrison-Morton 2029; Osler 2616; Waller 13282 (6th ed.); Wellcome III, p. 34

Gift of John Martin, M.D.