Beware Quack Remedies.

[Canary42]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-61257378

[jno]

I don't think swimming counts as a quack remedy, but clearly it has dangers. All the same, I wonder if it was in any way foreseeable. I have friends who bathe in the sea every morning all year round. I think they're mad; but they've come to no harm.

[douglas9401]

As with most things, it's just your Donald.

[Peter Pedant]

// I don't think swimming counts as a quack remedy,//
erm yeah and no
called hydrotherapy in victorian times
Gull was very keen on it
Didnt work - but here today it harmed the patient

I suppose it depends on whether you think dancing around a patient going "gooba gooba gooba" is a quack remedy. It does harm if the proper stuff ( the true remedy ) is omitted

Gull described Gulls disease - low T4 I think - and water didnt work there either. Now known ( wiki) for knowing Jack the Rippers identity and not saying. well I didnt learn THAT in med sch !

[Buenchico]

Cold water immersion, as a treatment for anxiety and depression, is being trialled by the NHS:
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/news/drlc-works-in-partnership-with-chilluk-to-offer-cold-water-swimming-course

[237SJ]

I remember watching a programme donkey's years ago about people in Sweden that jumped into really cold water. They were wearing heart monitors at the time and the results were scary. There is a reason people die in very cold water.

[barry1010]

Many people practice cold water therapy or just swim outdoors in rivers and the sea all year round without coming to harm.

[New Judge]

//Mr O'Neill told The Sun: "I am heartbroken. I've not slept and I'm finding it hard to process.//

Why is he finding it difficult to process? A "patient" of his took his advice and plunged into cold water and she died. What's to process? He should be aware that people doing as he advised can suffer "cold water shock" and should have warned them of the possibility.

I also recall that programme to which 237SJ refers. The results were truly alarming. Going into cold water is not good for you. Most people survive (providing they don't stay in long enough to lower their core body temperature too much). But some don't. Frankly, if the NHS is "prescribing" cold water therapy it is irresponsible. But I suppose it might have benefits - in most cases having anxiety or depression will be the least of the patients' worries.

[tomus42]

I'd avoid jumping into both very cold and very hot water.

I'm no expert, but to do either seems a bit silly for creatures that exist at room temperature.