Louis Kuhne: The New Science of Healing

I have this old book in my collections. Supposedly it is old enough to be freed from copyright. Louis Kuhne died over hundred years ago. Anna Kurimo, who made the translation for this Finnish edition, died over 80 years ago. Copyright protection generally lasts for 70 years after the death of the author.

The book is mostly about hydrotherapy, but obviously hydrotherapy is nowadays seen as alternative or pseudo medicine. English Wikipedia article mentions only Kuhne's cold water baths, but in the book there is also mentioned "steam baths" taken under blanket, using the steams of boiled water.

The funny thing is that in Finland we have had similar heat treatment used for centuries, and it is called as sauna. And to go swimming from sauna into rather chilly lakes and sea has always been a common thing around here as well. Moreover, since 1980s it has even become popular to combine sauna with winter swimming.

What comes to winter swimming, the recommendation is to start with it, before going to sauna. So, first slowly and gently go into ice cold water for few minutes. Then go to the steamy sauna, again slowly and gently.

Winter swimming has it's risks, but it also has multiple benefits. Swimming in very cold water may lessen stress and fatigue, and give more vigor. It is also reported to improve memory functions, give better mood, and make one to feel more energetic, active and brisk. People who suffer from rheumatism, fibromyalgia or asthma have reported that winter swimming relieves pain.

Sauna also has it's pros and cons. Sauna bathing may reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, cardiovascular disease, and the risk of high blood pressure. In addition, it is associated with a decreased risk of pneumonia and may temporarily relieve symptoms of the common cold. It is even discovered to reduce risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, it has been pointed out that many of the positive health effects reported with sauna usage, in particular its cardiovascular benefits, are associative and may be non-causal.

But one should be reasonable. I personally prefer to keep the temperature in the sauna as rather "moderate" (~+60℃), and throw plenty of water on hot stones to get steamy heat. And although I have tried winter swimming few times, I rather enjoy swimming in "lukewarm" water (>+15℃).

Finnish sauna culture has it's meditative aspect, which definitely does not include eroticism. Although we indeed do go into sauna fully naked, together with both sexes and with all family members, it is done almost in a spiritual manner. We enjoy the sauna and swimming in a harmony with the surrounding nature. Every Finn has at least used to dream having one's own cottage and sauna, close to a lake or sea. And that package often comes with beautiful landscapes like seen on my ipernity friend Wertti's pictures.

References

Kuhne, L. (1890). Die neue Heilwissenschaft
oder, Die Lehre von der Einheit aller Krankheiten und deren darauf begru ndete einheitliche, arzneilose und operationslose Heilung. Leipzig: Verlag der Neuen Heilkunst. Available online: openlibrary.org/books/OL26234137M/Die_neue_Heilwissenschaft

Kuhne, L. (1901). The new science of healing
or the doctrine of the unity of diseases : forming the basis of a uniform method of cure, without drugs and without operations : an instructor and advisor for the healthy and sick..

Kuhne, L., & Kurimo, A. (1910). Uusi lääketiede eli oppi tautien yhtenäisyydestä ja niiden siihen perustuvasta parantamisesta ilman lääkkeitä ja leikkauksia: Oppikirja ja neuvonantaja terveille ja sairaille. Hämeenlinna: Karisto.