FOMENTATIONS FOR THE SICK

New Zealand Mail, 17 September 1902, Page 27

FOMENTATIONS FOR THE SICK

The following are directions for applying fomentations: —There is probably no other application that will give relief from extreme pain in a greater variety of cases than the fomentation, and every family should have a sot of cloths for that purpose, and know how to use them. A single flannel bedblanket quartered and a panful of boiling water furnish all the apparatus necessary. Fold a cloth into thirds, then gather the ends into your hands, and dip the middle of the, cloth into the water to within four or five inches of tho end. Take out the cloth and twist the ends in opposite directions until tlie cloth is wrung as dry as possible, then quickly untwist the cloth and' fold large enough to cover well the part to bo treated, and wrap in a dry flaunel, leaving ono thickness of dry flannel between the wet one and the patient’s skin. The treatment should always be finished by sponging tho part with a cloth wrung from cooi

water, or, if the patient is perspiring freely, by a cool sponge bath, or, better still, by putting him into a batli-tub-ful. of water at -ninety-eight degrees and gradually cooled to eighty degrees or eighty-five degrees. ' To remove soreness or relieve pain in cases of cold on the lungs, acute inflammation of the stomach or In-wels, lumbago and backache, a cloth should be folded into thirds as above, the ends folded to meet at the middle, then applied over tlio part, and changed every three or four minutes until iclief is obtained.

The fomentation applied to the throat is a valuable aid in cases of sore throat or tonsilitis. Applied to the spine every fifteen or twenty minutes, it is very quieting to tho nerves, and often gives sleepless people a good night’s rest. It should bo about six inches wide, and reach the entire length, of the spine. Never remove one until you have another ready.