Vincent Priessnitz: founder of the cold water cure
Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1851) was the father of
hydropathy
and the cold water cure. He lived in Gräfenberg (now Lázně Jeseníkin
the Czech Republic where there are still spas today).
Several Victorian hydropathists went to visit him there
in order to learn his techniques. Richard Metcalfe, wrote his biography, and some, like Metcalfe
before them, named their establishments Gräfenberg House in homage to him.
Dr Richard Barter was converted to hydropathy after hearing Captain R T Claridge lecture about Priessnitz's methods. In 1843 he opened the first important hydropathic establishment in Ireland at St Ann's Hill just outside Blarney in Co Cork. Later, with David Urquhart's help, Barter installed the first Victorian Turkish bath there.
This page enlarges an image or adds to the information found below:
Dr Barter and St Ann's Hydro
Early Turkish baths for animals. Part 1 Introduction
Victorian Turkish Baths: their origin, development, and gradual decline
Comments and queries are most welcome and can be sent to:
malcolm@victorianturkishbath.org
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© Malcolm Shifrin, 1991-2023