This is one of the simplest of hydriatic measures. It is a valuable skin and nerve tonic, and is particularly adapted for chil dren and women. It consists in the application of water to the body at a temperature of 50° 60° F., from the hollow of the hand, or by means of a bath-glove or wash-cloth. The entire body is gone over, one part after another being systematically treated. One to two minutes' application followed by vigorous rub bing with a coarse towel or flesh brush is suffi cient. Ablution is particularly valuable for reducing temperature, often bringing about quiet, restful sleep in tossing and fretful children.
In this treatment a volume of water from a pitcher or a pail is poured over the entire body, or upon certain parts, the patient sitting or standing erect in a tub or bath. The temperature should be 50°-60° F., and the whole procedure should not consume over 10 or 15 sec onds. The reaction is obtained by rubbing. In certain muscular tremors, in neurasthenia, etc., this procedure is of service.
Packs or Compresses.— These may be dry or wet, general or local. The dry and wet packs are applied in the same manner. The patient is placed on a narrow bed or couch with a rubber sheet, a blanket and a linen sheet beneath him, the blanket and sheet falling on each side of the couch. The sheet is then brought up and, with the arms to the side, wrapped thoroughly about him, the face alone being exposed. The blanket is then wrapped about the patient in a similar manner. Cloths wrung out in cold water may be applied to the head. In a wet pack the sheet is first wrung out in cold water; in the dry pack it is frequently warmed. The object of the application is to bring about free perspiration, and this is the usual result. Hot drinks may be administered freely. The time given to the ap plication will depend largely on the conditions to be met. If reduction of temperature alone is desired, the patient may remain in the pack until the perspiration is free, and he may then be wrapped up in a dry blanket. In certain urwmic states, and in infantile convulsions, a longer period may be necessary. The wet pack is an
excellent procedure in the treatment of alcoholic excesses. The initial effect of a cold pack is constriction of the blood-vessels; this is soon followed by a dilatation which continues throughout the application and is the main cause of the free perspiration. The pulse-rate is re duced and the arterial tension falls. The stress of elimination is taken from the kidneys, the amount of blood within the brain diminishes and sleep is encouraged. In the hot general pack a blanket only is used. This is wrung out in water at 140°-150° F., the temperature at the time of application not being over F. Local packs or compresses are of inestimable service in a variety of conditions. These are usually made of pieces of heavy muslin, canton flannel or linen, varying in shape according to the site of application. They are wrung out in cold or hot water and applied to the head in headache, to the neck in. sore throat, ton silitis, diphtheria, earache; to the chest in pleurisy, pneumonia, neuralgias; to the heart in rapid overacting heart-action; to the stomach in indigestion; to the joints in sprains, rheuma tism and gout; to the abdomen in gastroduode nal catarrh., irritable bladder, catarrhal appendi citis, colitis, peritonitis. Hot applications are particularly serviceable in painful menstruation. Hot water-bags have largely taken the place of hot compresses since they have been made so handy in shape and size and so reasonable in price.
The This application is one of the best tonics, but requires special rooms for its use. These are found in the best appointed hydropathic institutes. The douche consists in the application of hot and cold water delivered through a hose. It combines the elements of the water, heat, cold and force. The regula tion of the pressure and temperature is an im portant feature in the scientific use of the douche. See BATH.
Cohen, 'Physiologic Ther apeutics Hydrotherapy) (1902) ; Baruch, The Principles of (1900) ; Kellogg. `Hydrotherapy) (1902).