According to the Council of International community of medical hydrogeology therapeutic muds (peloids) are substances, which are formed in natural conditions under the influence of geologic processes and have fine-particle state. In combination with water they are used in medicine by means of baths and applications.

The places of peloid formation are different water-bodies (seas, bays, lakes, ponds, river washes), swamps, as well as areas of earth crust, in which due to tectonic processes appear zones where grinded mudstones, underground waters and gases come out onto the surface. All this causes formation of knoll peloids and volcanic occurrence area, which is the place of hydrothermal peloids formation.

According to peloids’ origin, composition and properties they are classified as peat peloids, sapropels, sulfide silt peloids, freshwater clayey peloids, knoll and hydrothermal peloids.

The following physicochemical features are chosen as the criteria of present state of peloid deposits: indicators of acid-base and redox power of brine, pollution by particles with diameter (0.25-5.0)∙10^-3m (on dry matter), decomposition degree (for peat), content of hydrogen sulfide, С_оrg (on dry matter), environmental condition of deposit, quantity of calculated balance reserves.

The main property of peloids, which differentiates them from clay, is their high mass fraction of moisture. The higher mass fraction of moisture is the higher content of heat in it and the better thermal effect of medical procedure will be.

One of the main characteristic features of peloids, from balneological point of view, is shear stress, which determines yielding properties.

One of the main characteristics of peloids, from the point of view of their usage for medical purposes, is the degree of pollution by particles with diameter (0.25-5.0)∙10^-3m, which mustn’t exceed 3%.

The main characteristic feature, which conditions the possibility of peat usage in medicine, is its decomposition degree. Peat of 40% and higher decomposition degree including other specifications is considered to be medical.

Hydrogen sulfide in silt bottom sediments is the product of reduction processes, which occur because of the oxygen redundancy. In anaerobic environment hydrogen sulfide reduces because of reduction of peloid solutions’ sediments. The minimization of pH environment will lead to the change of hydrosulphites into hydrogen sulfide.

The identification of С_оrg in peloids gives an idea about quantitative content of organic matters, which have biologic properties.

In the process of studying of silt peloids’ chemical composition the comparative studying of ionic composition of brine and mud solution is of large value, especially in sediments, which contain hydrogen sulfide. In this water bodies mud solutions differ from brine according to both cationic and anionic composition, and reaction of environment. These changes in mud solutions’ composition take place due to a number of processes, among which the most important are the processes of biochemical sulfate reduction, which occur in anaerobic conditions.

Mineralization is one of the characteristics of peloid deposits. It is taken into consideration in the process of peloid classification according to a degree of mineralization of mud solution.

The presence of such typical toxicants as heavy metals, pesticides, petrochemicals, phenols will be taken into consideration in the process of environmental state determination of deposits.

It is well known that microorganisms of peloids form the last section in peloidogenesis. They participate in the cycle of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, iron and other elements. 

Table 3.3.1. Therapeutic muds (peloids) requirements (natural and ready for treatment).

Indexes	Quantity	Rate for peloids
		Peat	Sapropelic	Silt sulfide		Knoll
Mass fraction of moisture	%	50-85	60-90	25-75		40-80
Pollution by particles with diameter (0.25-5.0)∙10-3m, not more	% from natural substance	2	2	3		3
Hard mineral spots with diameter more than 5.0∙10-3m	% from natural substance	absence	absence	absence		absence
Degree of decomposition (for peat peloids)	%	Not lower than 40
Shear stress (for peloids ready for treatment)	Pas	150-400	100-200	150-400		150-250
Sanitary-bacteriologic indexes
Total microbial quantity	Bacteria in 1g	500 000	500 000	500 000		500 000
Titre-LKP	g for 1 bacterium	10 and more	10 and more	10 and more		10 and more
Titre-B.perfringens	g for 1 bacterium	0,1 and more	0,1 and more	0,1 and more		0,1 and more
Pathogenic staphylococcus	Bacteria in 1g	Absence in 10g	Absence in 10g	Absence in 10g		Absence in 10g
Blue pus bacillus	Bacteria in 1g	Absence in 10g	Absence in 10g	Absence in 10g		Absence in 10g
Virulent form B. perfringens	Bacteria in 1g	absence	absence		absence	absence

 In order to judge about the maturity of the peloid substance one has to determine the group of the microorganisms in it. As a rule the microflora of the mature peloids is usually presented by various taxonomic groups which are strong chemical reagents with their inherent diversity of biochemical functions and high metabolic activity. They are able to transform and disseminate biologically active elements very fast, making in that way therapeutic active peloids.

The composition of peloids is different and it depends on the natural conditions of their formation. However, the general principle of the structure is typical to all of them, since they are the heterogeneous physicochemical system which consists of the liquid and solid phases which exist in equilibrium. The liquid phase is the mud solution and the solid phase consists of two parts: coarsely dispersed or crystalline skeleton and fine-particle hydrophilic colloid complex.

25-97% of the peloids mass is the mud solution. As the derivative of the brine, which covers the sediment, the mud solution by its ionic composition shows its structure. The total mineralization of the mud solution varies from 0.01-0.05 (for peat peloids) to 250-300 g/dm³(for sulfide silt peloids).

The content of colloids in silt peloids is 4-20%, in peat and sapropelic it is up to 80%. The charge (positive or negative) of the colloid is able to adsorb on its surface positive or negative ions, colloids can coagulate or resolve (the change in the form of ashes into solution).

Thus, peloids are the homogeneous mass of the dense, plastic consistence, which is characterized by the high mass fraction of moisture, high thermal capacity and low heat conduction, great adsorptivity. Therapeutic peloids (natural and ready for treatment) requirements are shown in the Table 3.3.1.

The deposits of silt sulfide peloids are mostly exploited in Ukraine, peat is less exploited, and knoll is rarely exploited. Sapropels are not used in medical treatment at all.

According to “The order of carrying out of medicobiologic estimation of quality and value of natural medical resources and determination of methods of their usage” (the order of Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine of 02.06.2003 No.243, registered in the Department of Justice of Ukraine 29.09.2003 No.752/8073).

Therapeutic muds (peloids) are peat, sapropelic, silt, sulfite, freshwater clayey silts, and knoll hydrothermal silts composed of the mineral and organic matters, which underwent complicated transformations as a result of physicochemical, chemical, biochemical processes and represent homogeneous fine-particle plastic mass, which is used in a heated state to perform mud cure. The main types of therapeutic muds are stated in the Supplement 2 of the order indicated below.

THE MAIN TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC MUDS.

Peat peloids are the swamps’ peat formations which are mainly made of decomposed organic matters and plant residues which had accumulated after the plants’ dying off under the excessive moistening and the lack of oxygen. The degree of decomposition of peat represents the basic balneal importance which is the correlation of the quantity of decomposed and intact remains. The peat with the degree of decomposition over 40% can be used for medical purposes. The peat with the lower degree is less plastic. In Ukraine the peat deposits are mostly concentrated in the forest and forest-steppe medicogeographical zones.

Sapropels are the sediments of the silts (mostly organic), which form as a result of the decomposition of tanks’ flora and fauna under the influence of microbiological activity. They consist of organic and mineral matters and they are characterized by neutral reaction of environment (Ph - 7), low mineralization of solution (under 1 g/dm³), high mass fraction of moisture (up to 97%), color gamma from brown to black. According to the species composition of organic remains and the character of mineral matters the low-ash sapropels are divided into algal and zoogenic, humic and peat (according to the peat character). High-ash sapropels are divided into lime and clayey.

In Ukraine sapropels are mostly concentrated in the forest medicogeographical zone but they are not studied as the medical tool. At present time several sapropel deposits have been studied in the Western region of Ukraine. However not all peloids are conditioned and as a result they don’t have balneal value and so the problem of usage of high-quality and high-performance curative natural peloids in the sanitary resort practice stays relevant.

Silt sulfide peloids are organic mineral fine-particle sediments of the silt in the salt tanks which form as a result of the decomposition of flora and fauna by microorganisms and contain hydrogen sulphide and sulphury gold. Silt sulfide peloids can be found in lacustrine, continental, maritime and sea tanks. Since the content of organic matters in them is usually low (1-3%), then the main difference of silt sulfide peloids’ subtypes, which are distinguished by genesis, is in the content of sulfides, mineralization of mud solution and its ionic structure. Because of the different thermodynamics of formation of peloids in different native zones their organic matters are essentially different according to both group composition and properties of the separate groups of matters, which should be taken into consideration in the process of estimation of therapeutic effectiveness of peloids and preparations on the basis of peloids. To lacustrine-spring silt sulfide peloids there belong deposits which are connected with the coming out of the underground mineral waters – Ukrainian lakes Ripne and Slipne (Donetsk region).

The continental silt sulfide peloids can be found in the salty lakes of the continental origin in the provinces of salt accumulation – Ukrainian lakes Hopry, Slenyi Lyman (Salt estuary) and Prokofyevske.

Maritime silt sulfide peloids can be found in the maritime lagoon-estuaries. The biggest content of sulfides and mineralization of solutions is their characteristic feature. Their ionic structure is close to the seawater, but it is much more concentrated. They can be found near the shores of the southern seas: lakes Saky and Chokrak (the Crimea), Odesa’s estuaries – Kuyalnik, Hadjibey, Shabolat, Tiligul.

Sea sulfide silt peloids are the sediments of sea bays which are protected from the influence drifts and tides. Ionic structure and mineralization of their mud solution is almost similar to those in the seawater, the content of sulfides is relatively small. The deposits are in the Berdyansk, the Obytichna, the Novoazovska, the Tahanrog and the Yalta bays.

Knoll peloids form on the areas of tectonic movements which contain oil and gas and covered with sections of clayey sediments. They form as a result of coming out on surface of carbohydrate gas and water of grinded clayey material in the form of diluted mass under pressure.

Table 3.3.2. The main types of therapeutic muds.

Types and variety of therapeutic muds		Mineralization of mud solution, g/dm3	Sulfide content, % for native mud	Ash content, % for dry substance		pH
Peat peloids
Freshwater
Sulfideless:
Low-ash		< 1	< 0.01	< 5
Medium-ash		< 1	< 0.01	5∙20		3.5∙7.6
High-ash		< 1	< 0.01	> 20		4.4∙7.6
With low content of sulfide
Low-ash		< 1	0.01∙0.15	< 5
Medium-ash		< 1	0.01∙0.15	5∙20
High-ash		< 1	0.01∙0.15	> 20		6.8∙7.3
Low-mineralized
Sulfideless:
Low-ash		1∙15	< 0.01	< 5
Medium-ash		1∙15	< 0.01	5∙20		7.2∙7.4
High-ash		1∙15	< 0.01	> 20		7.0
With low content of sulfide
Low-ash		1∙15	0.01∙0.15	< 5		4.0∙7.5
Medium-ash		1∙15	0,01∙0,15	5∙20
High-ash		1∙15	0.01∙0.15	> 20		6.8∙7.3
Silt sulfide peloids
Low-mineralized
Low-sulfide		1∙15	0.01∙0.15	> 90		6.0∙9.0
Medium-sulfide		1∙15	0.15∙0.50	> 90		7.0∙9.0
High-sulfide		1∙15	> 0.50	> 90		7.0∙9.0
Medium-mineralized
Low-sulfide		15∙35	0.01∙0.15	> 90		7.0∙9.0
Medium-sulfide		15∙35	0.15∙0.50	> 90		7.0∙9.0
High-sulfide		15∙35	> 0.50	> 90		7.0∙9.0
High-mineralized
Low-sulfide		35∙150	0.01∙0.15	> 95		7.0∙9.0
Medium-sulfide		35∙150	0.15∙0.50	> 95		7.0∙9.0
Salt-containing
Low-sulfide		> 150	0.01∙0.15	> 95		7.0∙9.0
Medium-sulfide		> 150	0,15∙0,50	> 95		7.0∙9.0
High-sulfide		> 150	> 0.50	> 95		7.0∙9.0
Knoll peloids
Medium- and high-mineralized
Sulfideless		15∙150	< 0.01	> 95		7.0∙9.0
Sapropelic peloids
Freshwater
Sulfideless
Low-ash	< 1		< 0.01		< 30	7.0∙9.0

They are grey. They contain very few organic matters, but they have enhanced concentration of microelements (iodine, bromine, boron). They are seldom used for medical purposes because of the clastic materials in them (Kerch peninsula, Bulganatsk knoll field).

The popularity of certain types of peloids during some centuries formed unevenly. This led to the recognition of silt and peat peloids which were the most widely spread in nature while knoll peloids were still little-studied. At the same time these peloids are unique not only owing to their origin, but also because of the rate of physicochemical characteristics and methods of application despite their natural state.

The deposits of knoll peloids are often in the state of more or less problem-free anthropogenic load which is in contrast to the ground type peloids doesn’t stand on the verge of peloidogenesis degradation and further exhaustion because of the constant replenishment out of the bowels of the earth.

The origin of knoll peloids is closely connected with deposits of oil and gas. This peculiarity makes peloidogenesis dependent on the deep bowels of the earth. The formation of the chemical composition of these peloids is connected in many ways with the variety of rocks that can be met along the road and the level of migration of the “buried” organic matter, afflux of waters stratums and carbohydrate gases which make pressure during the peloids’ migration causing size reduction of their colloid complex down to the fine-dispersed state.

Artificial peloids. They are made by means of mixing clay, organic matter, water with the dissolved salts (in definite proportions) and the vital functions of the specially selected microbial “ferments”. However they are not used because of the sufficient quantity of natural deposits. The quality of peloids can be influenced purposefully by means of their enrichment with radon, hydrogen sulfide, humic substances.

In order to solve the problem of rehabilitation of Ukrainian population and rational usage of peloids at mud cure resorts the expansion of works concerning regeneration of used peloids is necessary. Among different types of peloids, which are used in medical practice, the most widely spread in nature and the ones that gained general acceptance are sulfide silt peloids. Sulfide silt peloids are mostly presented by maritime peloids of different mineralization (firths Kuyalnyk, Hadjibey, Shabolat, Tiligul and lakes Saky, Chokrak), the deposits of lake Hopry and resort “Sloviansk”, which contain continental peloids.

Under the influence of transportation, heating, impact with the skin of patient during peloid procedure these peloids undergo the number of changes, which have to do with their chemical structure, properties, microbal population etc. So, before the second usage they undergo the process of regeneration.

According to the works of A.M. Malakhova and G.O. Navrayeva (1969) the term “regeneration” means the process of peloids’ preservation under the layer of water, which composition is close to the mud solution, with dense stowing and constant positive temperature over a certain period of time. It means that these conditions are similar to the natural when the access of oxygen to the sediments is very complicated and they almost don’t have water cycle. Under these conditions the recovery of peloids of sulfide compounds, which oxidized during the process of usage, and oxidated iron takes place. Also it leads to autopurification of peloids from microflora in them together with heterogeneous and pathogenous microflora.

In 1920-30’ss the problem concerning the possibility of recovery of sulfide silt peloids’ properties, which have been lost during their usage, was raised for the first time by Odesa and Pyatigorsk institutes of balneology. It was discovered that conditions, directivity and duration of regeneration is very mach dependent on conditions and duration of transportation, time and temperature of peloids’ heating, their possibility to come in contact with the oxygen, the possibilities of intrusion of microflora, storage conditions (temperature, illumination, ventilation of the room). Peloids that are washed off the patient’s body can be infected with sanitary-revealing microflora. Additional organic matters forms within them, the aeration takes place. All these leads to microbial imbalance, which formed and under the certain ecological conditions provided tank’s relative steadiness of peloids’ chemical structure. Any outer influence on peloids, even simple concitation, leads to imbalance and causes the activation of microflora activity.

It was found out that the duration of the period of preservation of used peloids is determined by the moment of extinction of biochemical processes, activated by agitation and heating, and by the terms of their autopurification. For silt sulfide peloids this terms are 4-6 months and more.

Thus, the total and fast regeneration of peloids is directly connected not only with their chemical composition and properties but also with the profoundness of changes, which they underwent during the process of transportation, preservation, usage etc. In addition, samples, taken on different spots of the deposit and at different depth, often can be very unlike.

During the process of studying of regeneration a great deal of attention is fixed on development of more rapid methods of regeneration of peloids of different genesis and physicochemical composition. The analysis of literary data points out the number of factors, which influence on the duration of regeneration. These are the optimal conditions of usage during peloid procedures, the elevated preservation temperature, addition of the natural, organic matters and sulfates to the used peloids.

In connection with it in 1984-87’ss Odessa research institute of balneology studied the mechanisms of recovery of initial properties of used peloids in the process of preservation by means of application of geochemical, physicochemical, microbiological methods of research in order to determine optimal terms of regeneration. They made the comparison of the content of separate components, physicochemical properties, biological structure, and also the directivity and duration of regeneration processes of sediments of both deposits. Used peloids, from the explored deposits, after one-time usage should be regenerated without any additions; sediments of lake Gopri in winter period – 5 months, in summer period – 2 months; sediments of firth Kuyalnitskiy after one-time usage (winter laying) – more than 5 months until the recovery of conditioned parameters, in summer period – 5 months.

In 1994-96’s Ukrainian research institute of medical rehabilitation and balneology made research concerning the determination of optimal terms of regeneration of silt sulfide peloids from Berdyanskiy deposit after usage of mud-dissolved baths in winter and summer conditions.

The materials of this work showed that stability of physicochemical parameters of peloid “mash” in conditions of summer and winter preservation begins after 4 months of regeneration.

Even if the addition of 30% of freshly made peloid “mash” to the used one does not make the process of regeneration faster, still owing to the bacteria and yeast saturation made peloids more qualitative after regeneration. Especially it can be seen in peloid “mash” of summer laying, in which the bactericidal action concerning golden staphylococcus is restored.

Thus, microbiological factor of sulfide silt peloids of resort “Berdyansk” makes conclusive influence on the process of mud creation and regeneration process. It also influences specifically on the mineral and organic matters of the deposit of peloids.

The character of changes of the number of conditional factors (small accumulation of hydrogen sulfide, increasing of content of oxidized form of iron in peloids and decreasing of content of sulfate ions in mud solution) points to the presence of sulfate reduction process.

Collected data confirm the existence of the slow process of restoration of properties of used peloids. But over a period of 6 months regeneration with the help of discovered method the physicochemical properties of natural peloids haven’t been achieved. The addition of 30% of natural peloids does not considerably accelerate the process of regeneration.

The problem of protection of peloids from contamination has its own specific peculiarities. It is connected with the fact that the deposits of peloids are less movable than atmosphere, waters of rivers and seas. That’s why temporary oscillations of concentrations of toxic substances in peloids are not always as significant as in the atmosphere or water. However, even small contamination of peloids can influence on a person negatively in the process of treatment. According to the Law of Ukraine “About Resorts” (2000) – the deposits of peloids must be protected as the areas of medical value. The three zones of sanitary control, in which the sanitary routine must be preserved, are usually established around them. The protection of peloids’ deposits against different kinds of contamination (outer influence) must presuppose the complex of actions which take into consideration both sources, ways of contamination and natural protective properties of the deposits.

The defined notions “deposits’ protectability” and typification of them according to the level of protectability require concrete determination of natural properties of the objects themselves, on which protectability is dependent.

The natural protectability of peloids’ deposits is mostly determined by their ability to resist any kind and way of outer influence (contamination). But there are some sources, the contaminations which cannot be resisted even by the most steadfast deposits of peloids. For example, any lake can be forever ruined by means of covering with sand of its bed silts, total or lasting drying, drastic salification or , on the contrary, desalination. Peat deposit can be totally ruined because of the dumping of industrial waste in it, the components of which are well cumulated by peat. Even knoll peloids, which come out of the subsoils, can be contaminated in case the wastewaters are directed at the peloid field. The only way of protection against such, from the first point of view, not very malicious sources of contamination as the usage of peloid tanks for bathing and household purposes (washing, poultry breeding) is prohibition. And finally, irrevocable changes happen to those peloid deposits, the ecology of which is directly influenced by a man (removal of waters from supply drains, slopes’ ploughing, reduction of growth etc.) So, the notion “protectability” is relative, there are no peloid deposits that are totally and reliably secure. But the above-mentioned examples of irreversible harmful influences on the deposits of peloids belong to exceptional and rare cases. At the present time, in the practice of studying and exploitation of peloid deposits the are such episodic, periodic or even permanent contaminations which are mostly resisted and self-purified by the peloid deposits themselves. As the analysis of materials shows according to the characteristics of the sources of contamination of peloids the main types of their contamination are chemical (pesticides and mineral additives) and bacteriological (causative organisms) and the main ways of their spreading are waters. In connection with this character of peloid tanks’ water supply can serve as the one of the most important features of determination of their natural protectability.

In accordance with the sources of water supply and also the character of waters’ inflow and outflow which, under another circumstances, is generally determined by hydrogeological conditions and geomorphological location of peloid tanks, the latter can be inclined to contamination in different degree. It means that they have different degree of protectability against these contaminations, which spread with the help of water. Different peloid tanks react in a different way to contamination, which has already covered them. The immunity of peloid tanks against this contamination is in their ability to self-purify.

Self-purification of a tank is the group of all processes, which lead to recovery of its initial condition, balance in the composition of water, microflora, aquatic vegetation, fauna etc, i.e. of the whole biocoenosis that formed in the natural conditions. The concept “self-purification of a tank” also deals with the composition of its bed silts including peloids. Self-purification of a tank becomes possible due to instability of the majority of components pollutants, which after various processes detach from the sediments and then decay or neutralize. The main role in the process of self-purification belongs to a great number of microorganisms, which can be found in it. The processes of self-purification help to preserve the natural state of tanks during small episodic contaminations. However, the self-purification phenomenon is not boundless; for every tank there is its own particular limit, exceeding of which makes the process of contamination irreversible. Quantitatively the processes of tanks’ self-purification are still not enough studied. The reason of it is in their dependence on a great number of factors, the main of which are the persistence of pollutants and the amount of water mass. The conditions of flowage of water speed of stream, depth, wind motion, temperature conditions, chemical composition and microbiological peculiarities of water and bed silts, including peloid sediments, are also of great importance in the process of self-purification. The above-stated information proves that the notion of protectability of tanks, including peloid ones, is relative and can be applied only to their persistence against some types and ways of contaminations. In connection with it we can give another definition of that notion: protectability of peloid deposits is the relative notion, which means their natural ability to self-purify and resist against the most widely spread (chemical and bacteriological) kinds of contamination which are aregenerally spread with the help of waters. The protectability of peloid deposits is defined by many factors: conditions of bedding, structure and regimen of the deposit itself, peculiarities of composition and properties of peloids, which accumulate in them. That’s why different genetic types of peloids and peloid deposits have different protective attributes. The main elements, which should be taken into consideration in the process of organization of sanitary control of deposits, are:

• the places of formation of peloids: water bodies (lakes, wash of rivers, seas and their bays, firths); swamps, territories where knoll peloids form under the influence of geological processes.
• water-collecting areas of peloid deposits.
• surface channels as well as sources and elevations of underground waters, which participate in water-salt balance of deposit.

The preservation of reserves of fresh peloids and the restoration of the used ones can take place in natural environment or in containers (regeneration tanks of open or closed type), which are used for these purposes.

The tanks of open type are set:

1. on the outdoor areas, allotted for building of these constructions;
2. on the coastal parts of peloid water bodies, the area of which is fenced off into special sections which are divided into separate tanks.

Besides there is the system with the help of which peloids after usage go back to the specified, specially detached areas of the tanks, where they can be over a long period of time. The extraction of peloids out of virgin areas of deposit and storing of the used ones in already produced areas can last until the whole deposit will be produced and there will be total replacement of the virgin sediments by the used ones.

The tanks of closed type are usually placed within buildings, which should be illuminated by daylight or electric light in order to provide the process of control observations of the course of regeneration. Also these buildings should have safe ventilating equipment. It is desirable to heat them when it is cold keeping the temperature within 5-20°С.

Peloids in the tanks must be covered with lacustrine brine, which should be not less than 20 cm thick or 5% sodium chloride solution.

Peloids in the tanks must be under controlled of specialists in chemistry and microbiology. This specialist must have special journal where the register detailed data about movements of each group of peloids in the process of their storage, usage, regeneration and the condition of tanks. This control must be performed according to the following parameters: рН, Еh, mass fraction of moisture, shift voltage, stickiness, volume weight, Н₂S, Fe²⁺, С_org, general mineralization and content of sulphite-ions in mud solution, the total number of saprophytes, coli titers, titre-В.perfringens, and bactericidal action.

Peloids, which are used for medical purposes, should meet all the requirements set for each deposit.

PELOTHERAPY (MUD TREATMENT)

Mud treatment is the medical usage of natural mud. Different types of mud are used in medicine. Therapeutic muds (peloids) are homogeneous natural formations mainly of unctuous consistency, which have fine-dispersed structure and consist of water, mineral and organic matters. There exist silt, sapropelic, peat and knoll peloids. Mechanism of action: influence of therapeutic muds on the organism, which conditioned by temperature, chemical and mechanical stimuli. Physical properties of therapeutic muds give the opportunity to use comparatively high temperature in the process of treatment. Mechanical action is conditioned by pressure of mud mass and friction between body and mud particles. Chemical action depends on different chemical substances of mud, which penetrate into organism through skin. Therapeutic muds’ effect leads to palpitation and increasing of respiration rate, improvement of sanguimotion and activation of metabolism. The stimulation of the great number of skin receptors leads to intensification of inhibitory processes in brain cortex. Characteristic features: anti-inflammatory, trophic, neurohumoral, desensitizing, resorption, immunomodulatory, local antimicrobial, astringent. Kinds of mud treatment: bath, wrapping, application, compress, vaginal and rectal mud treatment.

Indications: locomotorium diseases (inflammatory diseases of joints, diseases of backbone, bines, muscles and ligaments), diseases and results of injuries of central and peripheral nervous system, diseases of digestive and respiratory apparatuses, peripheral tubules, female genitals, skin, eyes, ENT-organs and urological diseases.

Contra-indications: general for mud treatment.

THERMOTHERAPY.

Paraffinotherapy. Paraffin, which can be got during oil refining, is the mixture of high-molecular carbohydrates. Only purified paraffin without admixtures, with low heat conduction, high thermal capacity and ability to act on tissues with pressure (when reducing in its volume while getting cold) can be used in the process of medical treatment. The white paraffin with density 0,9 and melting temperature 45-52°С is used for medical purposes. Mechanism of action: paraffin warms the tissues under it and influences on them by pressure, which leads to better warming up. Rise of temperature of skin intensifies circulation of the blood and lymph, increases sweat secretion, tissue metabolism, trophism. Characteristic features: antispasmodic, vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, trophic. Indications: chronic and acute diseases of joints and muscles, impacts, cicatrices, sluggish wounds, cholecystitis, ulcer, neuritis, neuralgia, chronic inflammatory gynecologic diseases, urological diseases, dermatoses, diseases of eyes, ENT-organs, respiratory organs, peripheral tubules. Contra-indications: general for thermotherapy, bronchial asthma, multiple bronchiectasis, dysfunctional uterine bleedings, nephritis and nephrosis, marked thyrotoxicosis, full-blown state of exhaustion.

Ozoceritotherapy. Ozocerite is the mineral wax, which consists of mixture of ceresin, paraffin, mineral oils and tars. Only ozocerite with melting temperature 52-55°С, which is free from water, alkalis, acids, sometimes gums is used for medical purposes. Mechanism of action: therapeutic action of ozocerite lies in its physical and chemical properties. It has high thermal capacity and low heat conduction; some chemicals can penetrate into tissues through skin. Under the influence of ozocerite expand skin capillaries and open additional ones, increases blood and lymph flow, disappear stagnant phenomena, which lead to resolution of infiltrates. It also has anti-inflammatory effect. Characteristic features: antispasmodic, vasodilating, resorption, anti-inflammatory, trophic, antimicrobial. Indications: arthritis, periarthritis of traumatic and metabolic origin, radiculitis and diseases of peripheral nervous system, inflammatory gynecologic diseases. Contraindications: general for thermotherapy, kidney cirrhosis, mental diseases.

Bischofitotherapy is the usage of bischofite for medical purposes. Poltava bischofite is the natural brine of magnesium chloride and iodide-bromine (mineralization – 300-400 g/l) with the considerable content of microelements. It is thick transparent liquid with light tint of yellowish or greenish, without smell or with smell of ether-aromatic compositions, which dissolves well in water and spirit. It is extracted from Poltava deposit (Ukraine) by means of dissolution of underground strata at 2.5 km depth. Therapeutic effects: anti-inflammatory, regeneration, resorption, vasoactivatng, antiseptic, analgesic, general-metabolic. Application methods: clinical medicine, cosmetology, home physiotherapy. Procedures: local (fomentation, compresses, baths), general (baths – dissolution 1:50), mixing – massage, ultrasound, electrotherapy, thermotherapy, heliotherapy. Indications: locomotorium diseases, diseases of central and peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and dysbolism. Contraindications: general for thermotherapy.

Naphthalanotherapy. Naphthalan is a natural substance, variation of oil. Mechanism of action: taking into consideration a great number of aromatic and naphthenic carbohydrates, naphthalan influences on reconstruction of immunobiological defense reactions of organism. Characteristic features: anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic, desensitizing, regenerating, resorption. Indications: locomotorium diseases, skin diseases, gynecologic disorders, diseases of peripheral nervous system. Contraindications: general for thermotherapy.

O.M. Nikipelova