Johann Schroth
Encyclopedia
Johann Schroth was an Austrian
naturopath who was a native of Böhmischdorf, Freiwaldau (which today is Česká Ves
in the district of Jeseník
, Czech Republic
).
Schroth was a haulage
contractor by trade, and had vast experience dealing with horses. At the age of 18 he successfully treated a horse with an injured knee using cold compresses. He acquired a reputation as a healer of domestic animals, and subsequently used this treatment on injured humans. Later he introduced steam baths and full-body wraps for individuals without injuries as a means of naturopathic healing. From observations of sick animals that refused to eat, Schroth developed the idea of an austere diet for humans that included a regimen of "dry and drinkable days". Soon his curative methodology of cold wraps, steam and diet was touted as a means of purification and detoxification of the entire body, physical and mental.
Some people considered Schroth a "miracle worker" during his lifetime, and others thought him to be a charlatan
, including several influential physicians. During the 19th century there was a dispute between supporters of Schroth and followers of hydrotherapist
Vincenz Priessnitz
(1799-1851), as to which naturopathic
system was superior.
Around 1830 Schroth founded a health spa at Bad Lindewiese
which gradually grew in importance as a cold water spa. After his death the business was taken over by his son, Emmanuel Schroth (1832-1890), who moderated his father's extreme regimen, and in doing so, increased the number of persons seeking the Schrothkur. Today, the "Schroth Cure" is still practiced in Europe and elsewhere.
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
naturopath who was a native of Böhmischdorf, Freiwaldau (which today is Česká Ves
Ceská Ves
Česká Ves is a village and municipality in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic....
in the district of Jeseník
Jeseník
Jeseník , Frývaldov until 1948 is a city and a district in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.- Districts :* Bukovice * Dětřichov * Jeseník * Lázně Jeseník - History :...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
).
Schroth was a haulage
Haulage
Haulage may refer to:* The business of being a haulier or hauler , also called haulage contractor, common carrier, contract carrier, or private carrier, in other words of transporting goods by road or rail for other companies or one's own company.* The horizontal transport of ore, coal, supplies,...
contractor by trade, and had vast experience dealing with horses. At the age of 18 he successfully treated a horse with an injured knee using cold compresses. He acquired a reputation as a healer of domestic animals, and subsequently used this treatment on injured humans. Later he introduced steam baths and full-body wraps for individuals without injuries as a means of naturopathic healing. From observations of sick animals that refused to eat, Schroth developed the idea of an austere diet for humans that included a regimen of "dry and drinkable days". Soon his curative methodology of cold wraps, steam and diet was touted as a means of purification and detoxification of the entire body, physical and mental.
Some people considered Schroth a "miracle worker" during his lifetime, and others thought him to be a charlatan
Charlatan
A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception....
, including several influential physicians. During the 19th century there was a dispute between supporters of Schroth and followers of hydrotherapist
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
Vincenz Priessnitz
Vincenz Priessnitz
Vincenz Priessnitz, also written Prießnitz was a peasant farmer in Gräfenberg, Austrian Silesia, who is generally considered the founder of modern hydrotherapy, which is used in alternative and orthodox medicine...
(1799-1851), as to which naturopathic
Naturopathic medicine
Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine, is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation...
system was superior.
Around 1830 Schroth founded a health spa at Bad Lindewiese
Lipová-lázne
Lipová-lázně is a municipality in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It comprises two historical villages Horní Lipová and Dolní Lipová...
which gradually grew in importance as a cold water spa. After his death the business was taken over by his son, Emmanuel Schroth (1832-1890), who moderated his father's extreme regimen, and in doing so, increased the number of persons seeking the Schrothkur. Today, the "Schroth Cure" is still practiced in Europe and elsewhere.