Wilhelm Winternitz was born in Josefstadt (now Jaromer or Josefov, in the Czech Republic). In 1898 he was appointed full professor of hydrotherapy at the University of Vienna. He was the founder of scientific hydrotherapy based on clinically proven physiology. He published his findings and theories in the Wissenschaftlichen Hydrotherapie (1890-1892), a two volume book which has been translated into many languages. From 1891 Winternitz was the publisher of the Blaetter fuer Klinische Hydrotherapie.
Wilhelm Winternitz was the owner of the much favored, magnificently located, institute for water-cure at Kaltenleutgeben near Vienna.