The Novel Nineteenth Century: Trends, Treatments, and Technologies in Nineteenth Century American Medicine

Hygeiotherapy (from the Greek word hygies, meaning “health” or “living well”) grew from the water cure movement, building on its lifestyle tenants involving strict diet and exercise. There was more focus on concepts such as hygiene for the sake of cleanliness, massages, and intake of fresh air.    

The focus on bodily health and well-being was sometimes described through a spiritual or religious framework, drawing parallels between a healthy and clean body to a healthy and clean soul. This connected hygeiotherapy to similar reform movements of the nineteenth century such as the abstinence, anti-smoking, and anti-corset movements.