There are some wonderful accounts of the Water Cure in books written at the time. Many are very amusing.

'A Month at Malvern - A Diary' by R.J. Lane. It tells of his visit to Malvern with his son, Ned, and is dated from May 1845.

His first full day.

 

At a little before seven came the bath attendant. He poured about ten inches depth of water into a bath, five feet long, and directed me to get out of bed and sit in it. He then poured about two gallons of water on my back, and over my shoulders, and commenced a vigorous rubbing, in which I assisted. This is THE SHALLOW BATH.After three or four minutes I got out of the bath, and he enveloped me in dry sheet, rubbing me thoroughly. All this friction produced an agreeable glow, and the desire to dress quickly and get into the air was uppermost.
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Then, a walk to St. Anne's Well
The same process was repeated with Ned, and when we had each taken a glass of water, we started to mount the hill. I got as far as St. Anne's Well, with Ned's help, and, drinking there, sauntered about the terrace walks on the hill. The fountain of St. Anne's Well is constantly flowing, and, though varying in quantity, never fails. I am told that it is at nearly the same temperature in summer as in winter. In sparkling brilliancy, as well as purity, it stands unrivalled, even at Malvern, except by the water of the Holy Well. A cottage, beautifully situated in the hollow of this eminence, encloses the fountain, where it escapes from the rock; the chief apartment of which is free, and open to all who wish to drink; but it is good taste to put down a half-crown upon the first visit, and inscribe a name in the book, which (with a ready pen) is also open to all. From this cottage, a favourite place of rendezvous, paths lead by various routes to the highest hill, called the Worcestershire Beacon, and the other commanding heights. We shall see I trust.

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What about breakfast? Part of the treatment was to provide simpler food than the normal rich Victorian diet......
Another glass of water, and home to breakfast at nine. We have several sorts of bread and excellent bottles of the brightest butter ; water and tumblers duly arranged on the table; jugs of milk for those who like it, and to whom it is allowed. One jug smokes, and the well-known fragrant flavour soon suggests to the nose tea! Surely this is irregular, or why the disguise? Why not a teapot? Alas! that tea should be wicked under any circumstances. It must be discontinued while at the water cure, in some cases...........The appetite, too, is generally ready for the simple meal. Nobody ever enjoyed a well-earned breakfast more than I on this morning. Ned is as happy as a king, and every one kind and attentive to him.

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His first experience of 'The Pack'

At twelve I was packed, after a short walk. This is a sort of feeler, and preparatory to the entire process. Lying upon two blankets on the bed, a wet towel was placed upon me, extending from shoulders to knees, and I was enveloped, as in the complete packing, with all the blankets upon me, and then a down bed; with a counterpane to tuck all in, and make it air-tight. The desired heat came readily, and the sensation is soothing and agreeable. I was surprised to find the warmth much greater where the wet towel clung to me, than in other parts in contact with the blanket. After an hour I was unpacked, and had the shallow bath as before; and was aware how greatly the enjoyment of the bath is promoted by the heat engendered in the packing. I took a brisk walk with the Doctor before dinner.
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After this pack Mr Lane spoke to Dr Wilson about his various ailments, including "the impossibility of straightening the right leg, from a strain in the knee, superadded to the general weakness; and he (the Dr.) replied,
"In a week you won't know that you have a knee!"

Next came dinner at Two O'clock which was taken with all the patients and Dr. and Mrs Wilson at a large table.

The food is simple in comparison to the nora ml rich diets of the Victorians, but plentiful and Mr Lane was quite satisfied.

At the head of the table, where the Doctor presides, was the leg of mutton, which, I believe, is every day's head dish. I forget what Mrs. Wilson dispensed, but something savoury of fish. I saw veal cutlets with bacon, and a companion dish; maccaroni with gravy, potatoes, plain boiled, or mashed and browned, spinach and other green vegetables. Then followed rice pudding, tapioca, and some other farinaceous ditto, rhubarb tarts, &c. So much for what I have heard of the miserable diet of water patients.

 

Next, they went on a drive to see Madresfield Court, only a few miles away with 'Ned on the box'

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They returned to have their first experience of a 'Sitz bath'.

On our return, I prepared to take my first Sitz bath. It is not disagreeable, but very odd and exhibits the patient in by no means an elegant or dignified attitude.
For this bath it is not necessary to undress: the coat only being taken off, and the shirt gathered under the waistcoat, which is buttoned upon it; and ?when seated in the water, which rises to the waist, a blanket is drawn round, and over the shoulders.
Having remained ten minutes in this condition (Ned and I being on equal terms, and laughing at each other), we dried and rubbed ourselves with coarse towels, and after ten minutes' walk, proceeded to supper with good appetite. It is reasonable to insist upon such an interval between dinner and supper (I must forget to call it tea), which is generally made to tread on the heels of the substantial meal, and however delicious, is chiefly desirable to dissipate the effect of a late dinner.
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The next day, Mr Lane was woken earlier and experienced the full pack!

IT was not the experience of the half packing that caused me to awake early, but a certain dread, in anticipation of the whole wet sheet; and at six the bath attendant made his appearance according to orders, with what seemed a coil of linen cable, and a gigantic can of water, and it was some comfort to pretend not to be in the least degree apprehensive. I was ordered out of bed, and all the clothes taken off. Two blankets were then spread upon the mattress, and half over the pillow, and the wet linen unfolded and placed upon them. Having stretched my length upon it, and lying on my back, the man quickly and adroitly folded it, first on one side and then on the other, and closely round the neck, and the same with the two blankets; by which time I was sufficiently composed to ask how the sheet was prepared of the proper degree of dampness. I was told that being soaked well, it is held by two persons, one at each end, and pulled and twisted until the water had ceased to drop.
Two more doubled blankets were then put upon me, and each in turn tucked carefully round the neck, and under me. Upon this the down bed, and over all another sheet or counterpane was secured at all sides and under the chin, to complete the packing. By this time I was literally in a vapour bath, and sure of being fast asleep in five minutes, while Ned was regarding the operation with silent horror. He however plucked up, and before Bardon (the attendant) had swathed him completely, favoured me with his opinion, conveyed in accents in which a slight tremor might be detected, that " packing is jolly."
Back to List I don't think this quite goes with the description but I like it!
Taken from Pleasures of the Water Cure