Balneology and Balneotherapy in West Germany

Journal/Book: Proc. of the Kagoshima Intern. Conf. on Volcanoes. Kagoshima 1988 pp. 902-905. 1988;

Abstract: Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie und Rehabilitationsforschung der Philipps-Universität Marburg Robert-Koch-Strasse 7a D-3550 Marburg/Lahn (F.R.G.) In 1987 more than 8 Million people underwent a cure treatment in one of the West German spa stations (Table 1). West Germany disposes of 261 Kurorte and Heilbäder which keep ready a total of 700.000 beds. This number of beds for cure patients equals the number of beds which are disposable in all acute hospitals and clinical institutions of our country. Table 1 Number of stations Number of beds Number of patients 1987 Balneotherapy 138 239.D00 2.511.000 Thalassotherapy 34 245.000 2.512.000 Climatotherapy 43 157.000 2.187.000 Hydrotherapy 46 61.000 807.000 Total 261 702.000 8.017.000 The table shows the numbers of German spa stations as grouped after the local farms of applications: mineral springs natural peloids climatic factors and hydrotherapy according to KNEIPP. Most of the stations are based an local natural springs. Table 2 gives an overview of the numbers of Kurorte and Heilbäder which have different indications for cure treatment. Table 2 Range of indications number of stations locomotor system 126 heart & circulatory system 68 gynecology 64 respiratory system 50 digestive & metabolic system 41 dermatology 29 neurology 24 pediatrics 21 urology 21 ophtalmology 5 In Cermany as in other European countries mineral spring waters are used for bathing drinking and inhalation. Cure treatment is applied to curative and rehahilitation purposes mainly whereas preventive indications unfortunately have been decreased by financial reasons during the last years. The Standard duration of cure treatment also offered by the social insurance amounts to 4 weeks. In enout 5-10% of the patients it can be lengthened up to 6 weeks. . . .

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