hydropathy

American  

[hahy-drop-uh-thee] / haɪˈdrɒp ə θi /

noun

1. the curing of disease by the internal and external use of water.

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hydropathy British  

/ haɪˈdrɒpəθɪ, ˌhaɪdrəʊˈpæθɪk /

noun

1. Also called: water cure.  a pseudoscientific method of treating disease by the use of large quantities of water both internally and externally Compare hydrotherapy

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Other Word Forms

• hydropath noun
• hydropathic adjective
• hydropathical adjective
• hydropathist noun

Etymology

Origin of hydropathy

First recorded in 1835–45; hydro- ¹ + -pathy

Example Sentences

I try to find the "warm swimming baths" that the guide promises me - Matlock was known as the home of hydropathy - but Hartwell explains that today they've been transformed into an aquarium.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2017

Graham advocated baths and cleanliness in general to preserve health; hydropathy, or water cures for various ailments, became popular in the United States in the 1840s and 1850s.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

Inspired by his new wife’s work in hydropathy, Thomas enrolled in medical school to study “the very errors and absurdities” of regular medicine, graduating from New York University with his medical degree in 1850.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2014

These societal assumptions could not help but influence perceptions about irregular health systems, particularly those like hydropathy and homeopathy where women took active leadership roles.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2014

Even persons so eminent as Harriet Martineau, Dr. Elliotson, and Sir Bulwer Lytton were subjected to public ridicule and resentment because they suffered themselves to be restored to health by mesmerism or hydropathy.

From Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 2 (of 2) by Holyoake, George Jacob