Dr. Abbott was a professor of Clinical Medicine in the College of Medical Evangelists (now known as Loma Linda University Hospital) located in Loma Linda, California. When this book was first printed in 1912, Dr. Abbott, wrote, "The urgent need of a nurses' textbook on hydrotherapy has induced the author to attempt and meet this need. The principles and curative effects are discussed in such simplified language as to be readily comprehended by the average nurse." The directions are simple enough for anyone to follow in their own home.