(1835 -1917)

Winternitz, an esteemed emeritus professor of medicine, revolutionized the medical world by establishing hydrotherapy as a crucial treatment. Renowned as “the father of scientific hydrotherapy,” his influential work as a neurologist and hydropathist cemented his status as one of the foremost authorities in the field.

Born in Vienna, he completed his education in Vienna and Prague, earning his M.D. in 1857. Winternitz’s groundbreaking dissertation on Priessnitz’s Wasserkur (Water Cure) as a medical student explored the rational basis of certain hydrotherapy measures. His research involved measuring the pulse rate of Priessnitz’s patients and conducting a physiological test to demonstrate the effectiveness of water cure.

After serving as a surgeon in the Austrian Navy, he established his own practice in Vienna. His passion for hydrotherapy led him to join the medical faculty at the University of Vienna, where he eventually became the head of the department in the early 1900s. Throughout the years, he dedicated himself to teaching students and implementing hydrotherapy as his primary form of treatment in his various practices.

For nearly half a century, he stood as a leading consultant in Vienna, driven by an unwavering commitment to advancing the field of medicine. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and groundbreaking contributions to research papers and books have left an indelible mark on the medical community. In 1890, he laid the foundation for progress by establishing the influential “Blätter für Klinische Hydrotherapie,” where he steered the course of innovation as the editor until 1905.

He was a collaborator for hydropathy on Von Ziemssens Handbuch der Allgemeinen Therapie (Handbook of General Therapy) (1881), Albert Eulenburgs Realencyclopädie der Gesammten Heilkunde(Real Encyclopedia of All Medicine)(1897), and Eulenburg’s Lehrbuch der Allgemeinen Therapie und der Therapeutischen Methodik  – Vol 1, Vol 2 (Textbook of general therapy and therapeutic methodology) (1898–99).  

In addition to several essays and monographs in medical journals, Winternitz is the author of the following works:

• Kaltenleutgeben und Meine Wasserheilanstalt – (Kaltenleutbaren and my hydrotherapy facility) – (1869).
• Der Einfluss der Hydrotherapie auf Innervation und Zirkulation (The influence of hydrotherapy on innervation and circulation) – (1877).
• Die Hydropathie auf Physiologischer und Klinischer Grundlage – (Hydropathy on a physiological and clinical basis) (1890-92).
• Cholera, Lungenphthise und Fieber: Klinische Studien (Cholera, pulmonary, and fever: clinical studies) – (1887-88).
• Fortschritte der Hydrotherapie : Festschrift zum vierzigjahrigen Doctorjubilaum des Prof. Dr W. Winternitz(Advances in hydrotherapy: Festschrift for the fortieth anniversary of Prof. Dr W. Winternitz) – (1897).
• A System Of Physiologic Therapeutics: A Practical Exposition Of The Methods, Other Than Drug-Giving, Useful In The Prevention Of Disease And In The Treatment Of The Sick (1902).
• Hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, heliotherapy, and phototherapy – (1902).

The NHA wishes to remind the readers that nothing in this or other publications is intended to constitute medical treatment or advice. Readers should be aware that some previous publications do not reflect the NHA’s current health teachings or approach to health in several areas.

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The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthy living. We recognize the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

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