History of Hydrotherapy
From the dawn of medicine to modern methods, discover how this therapeutic approach has evolved.
Historical Background
Some historians claim that the practice of colon hydrotherapy—or, in its most basic form, the enema—was first used during the time of the Egyptians. Both the Ebers Papyrus (14th century BC) and the Edwin Smith Papyrus (17th century BC) mention enemas and give instructions for their use.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, with the arrival of rubber, the enema or lavage gave rise to colon hydrotherapy equipment.
Dr. Kellogg and the 20th Century
In the 1917 Journal of the American Medicine, Dr. Kellogg reported that in treating gastrointestinal disease in nearly 40,000 cases, only 20 patients underwent surgery, while the rest were managed through colon cleansing, diet, and exercise.
Wiltsie and His Vision
Colon hydrotherapy received mention from Dr. James A. Wiltsie, who stated that “Our knowledge of the normal and abnormal physiology of the colon […] is not at the same level as that of other organs…” He also said, “As long as we think the colon will take care of itself… we will continue to overlook… one of the most important sources of disease…”