This powerful treatment contributes to the removal of disease, and inducing activity of the vessels of the skin. It is recommended in severe colds, pleurisy, rheumatism, diarrhea, dysentery, feverish and inflammatory attacks, etc.
The patient is to be in a night-shirt or other clothing, to be worn only while sweating and during the night. He is then seated on a high-bottomed chair, so the flame will not burn him. Then a large blanket is thrown around him from behind, covering the back of his head and body as well as the chair, and another in front.
Then a cup containing two tablespoons of whiskey, or any other spirit that will burn, is placed on the floor directly under the centre of the chair, and lighted by introducing from behind a piece of burning paper. The liquor is allowed to burn until consumed, and the operation repeated one or more times if the patient does not already sweat freely enough.
If during the operation he feel faint or thirsty, cold water must be sprinkled on his face.
Then, when free perspiration is produced, wrap the blankets around him, put him in bed, cover him warmly and give him hot teas to drink. After two or three hours remove the covering piece by piece, at intervals of about half an hour, so that he may gradually cease to perspire.
This information was taken from Vitalogy, a real medical book published in 1923. This column is for entertainment only and should not be taken as advice by anyone, ever.