After presenting historical data on the use of natural carbon dioxide in balneotherapy for dry carbon dioxide baths the authors deal with the effects of carbon dioxide baths on the human organism. They describe ful carbon dioxide baths and deal in detail with different methods of partial carbon dioxide baths incl. carbon dioxide showers. The evaluation of effects of one partial carbon dioxide bath on the upper or lower extremities in peripheral vascular diabetic syndrome was focused on changes of the blood pressure, changes of the pulse rate and skin temperatures at various sites on both extremities and changes recorded by ultrasonographic measurement of the systolic pressure at the ankle. The authors compared the effects of partial carbon dioxide baths on the upper extremities with the reflex response to Hauffe-Schweninger baths on the upper extremities. In the conclusion the authors submit indications for carbon dioxide baths.

        Key words: natural carbon dioxide , full and partial carbon dioxide baths, immediate effects of partial carbon dioxide baths on the extremities, ischaemia of the lower extremnities indications for carbon dioxide baths