The word "psycho-therapy" sounds odd, docs it not, at least the first half. It is derived from the Greek, and must not be con­fused with the word "psycho-therapy" as "psyche," also of Greek origin, means the soul, the mind whereas "psychos" means "cool." Psychotherapy therefore signifies treatment by cooling, and the method used to achieve the necessary degree of cooling for thera­peutic purposes, is freezing. This form of therapy can well come under the heading of hydropathy seeing that water in a solidified state may be used as an excellent freezing medium.

This freezing treatment appears to be little known and still less practiced in this country outside surgery, but its efficacy is striking, not only in the relief of pain, but also in removing its cause via: congestion, inflammation.

There is perhaps no better treatment than freezing in the manner to be prescribed presently for the alleviation of localized areas of pain such as lumbago, fibrositis, neuralgias, neuritis, migraine headaches, strains and sprains.

There are several freezing agents available, such as, to name only one, ethyl chloride, which is supplied in glass tubes each provided with a special spring nozzle, so that a jet of the solution can be directed on to the affected part until the skin whitens. But the safest and easiest for home use is ice in the form of ice blocks out of the domestic refrigerator.

LUMBAGO:

The method of application is simple. Let us suppose that father is suddenly striken down with an attack of lumbago, then mother or some other member of the family or friend has only to go to the refrigerator (comparatively few houses are without one these days!) and take out a few blocks of ice and put them into a basin.

Have the patient lie face downwards on the bed or sofa, then apply two or more ice blocks on the painful parts each side of the spine, but before doing so dip each block into a saucer containing ordinary common kitchen salt. Hold the salt covered surface of the ice block firmly on the affected areas with a towel in order to protect the fingers. See that a few cloths are placed under the patient so that they extend sideways over each side of the bed or sofa for the absorption of the drops of water as the ice melts when in contact with the warm body, thus preventing the wetting of the couch.

Very often only one such application suffices to effect the cure, but the skin over the region of tenderness must be distinctly frozen, so that the tissues under treatment present a whitened or parchment-like appearance, which can be ascertained by lifting a corner of the ice block and taking a peep. This frozen condition must be maintained for a minute or so, the time of application varying with the sensitivity of the skin, usually from a quarter to one minute.

Do you know that a burn can arise from ice remaining on the skin for too long a time? Care must therefore be taken that this does not take place. Should however, a burn occur then apply a lint dressing first smeared with either calendula or garlic ointment in preference to zinc ointment which I have seen advised. Fix the lint in place by adhesive plaster.

NEURALGIAS:

Freezing is a specific for all forms of uncomplicated neuralgia provided it can be done close to the site of the pain. If the neuralgia pain is situated at the lower part of the back of the head freezing along the painful path will relieve it.

Freezing is also effective in some cases of herpes zoster, i.e. shingles. Neuritis resulting from shingles is exceedingly painful and very difficult to eradicate by the usual medical measures and requires prolonged treatment, but it has been found that treating the condition by freezing brings about a speedy cure.

Neuritis in the arms or in the thighs and legs (sciatica) reacts most favourably to freezing, so does fibrositis or any other in­flammatory condition.

COUGHS:

Freezing is not only very useful in allaying stubborn, per­sistent coughs, but is, happily also curative. Freeze each side of the upper spine including the neck region, where tender spots in these areas will be found on digital pressure. Migraine headaches respond well to this form of treatment, and certainly there can be found no better method for dealing with sprains and strains.

SPRAINS:

If an ankle or any other joint becomes sprained, spectacular results can be expected after freezing the painful parts. During and immediately after the freezing the joint must be kept moving. Little or no pain will be experienced and stiffness will be avoided.

Professionally the method can be used more extensively for example as reinforced freezing for deep seated pain due say to lesions at the exits of nerves and which are intractible to other forms of treatment. Reinforced freezing is effected by injecting sterilised water beneath the skin at the part to be frozen, or directly into the tissues until a marked bulging is produced, a freezing solution is then directed on to the protuberant part which causes a lump of ice to be formed under the skin or tissues.

It is said that "all roads lead to Rome, but I would add that some roads are much better than others, thus some therapies are better—more effective—than others, and freezing therapy ranks high among them for the complaints mentioned herein, freezing being of especial value for home use.

N.B. To prevent undue irritation of the skin after freezing all the salt must be carefully washed off the parts thus treated.

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