Sir John Floyer – The History of Cold Bathing, Both Ancient and Modern.
Introduction
The term Psychrolousia does not appear to be defined in any dictionaries of the current era. It appeared as Pseuchrolousia in Sir John Floyer’s first treatise in 1697 – “An enquiry into the right use and abuses of the hot, cold, and temperate baths in England”, and then as Psychrolousia in the book of that title in 1702 (and five further editions), in which he explored the subject more rigourously, repeatedly quoting Cælius Aurelianus on the matter. It also receives a brief reference (page 266) in the 3rd edition of William Smith’s A dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities (1890), but interestingly does not appear in the earlier two editions of the same title.
Floyer describes Psychrolousia as the art of cold bathing, which he wished to revive in the 1702 volume, in an effort to reintroduce the benefits of cold bathing to the population of England. A derivative of it is mentioned in his work, as he quotes Seneca – “…Seneca in his Epistles, who calls himself Pseuchroloutes” and this does appear in a similar formation in the OED online as , “A person who bathes outside regularly throughout the winter; specifically a member of a society formed 1840 to promote this practice.”, although this seemingly derogatory word also applies to the blobfish, or fathead sculpin.
His first book involving the subject of cold bathing was “An enquiry into the right use and abuses of the hot, cold, and temperate baths in England”, which was published by R. Clavel in 1696. It may be interpreted that this was not overwhelmingly well received, as the next book was co-authored with Dr. Edward Baynard, and consisted of four of his letters, followed by the postscript written by Dr. Baynard. Indeed, a critical rebuff – “An apology for the Bath. being an Answer to a late Enquiry into the Right Use and Abuses of the Baths in England” – was written by Thomas Guidott (an authoritative writer of the time on the hot baths at Bath and mineral baths at Sadler’s Wells) and was published in 1708. This was at times deprecating about Sir John’s views, and, given the time to write and publish this rebuttal (published 2 years after Guidott’s death), may have been instrumental in Sir John resorting to his eventual writing with a partner sympathetic to his vision.
A comparative study by Giacomo Savan : “The Lure of the Past: Ancient Balneology at the Turn of the Eighteenth Century” was published in 2020 to discuss the virtues of each physician’s theory and evidence.
Writings
Sir John Floyer’s works on cold bathing were published as follows:-
An enquiry into the right use and abuses of the hot, cold, and temperate baths in England (1697)
The ancient ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ revived: or, and Essay to prove cold bathing both safe and useful. In four letters. (Original) (Smith and Walford) (1702)
ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ: or, the history of Cold Bathing: Both ancient and modern. In two parts. (2nd ed) 1706
ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ: or, the history of Cold Bathing: Both ancient and modern. In two parts. (3rd ed) 1709
ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ: or, the history of Cold Bathing: Both ancient and modern. In two parts. (4th ed) 1715
ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ: or, the history of Cold Bathing: Both ancient and modern. In two parts. (5th ed) 1722
ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ: or, the history of Cold Bathing: Both ancient and modern. In two parts. (6th ed) 1732
It has also been discovered that there was a translation into German in 1749.
Herrn Johann Floyers, R. M. D. wieder belebte alte ΨϒΧΡΟΛΟϒΣÍΑ Oder, Versuch, zu beweisen, daβ Kaltes Baden gesund und nützlich sen; In einigen Briefen herausgegeben.
Website links to these publications can be found in more detail on the page: Resources: Sir John Floyer
Gallery
Images of places associated with Sir John Floyer’s works on cold bathing can be found in more detail on the page: Gallery
Resources
Various publications by Sir John Floyer and by other authors referred to by him, or related to cold bathing, can be found in more detail on the page: Resources
Contact details
Contact details can be found on the page: Contact details
Psychrolousia 