FOMENTATIONS 707 



an accessory measure in tympanites, parturient coma of 

 the cow, and partial paralysis of the horse. 



Continuous irrigation with cold water, or an antiseptic 

 solution, is employed in the treatment of open and closed 

 arthritis, synovitis of tendon sheath, foot injuries, 

 quittor, abscess cavities, fistulous withers, and accidental 

 wounds of the limbs. It modifies inflammation, lessens 

 pain, and hinders the development of bacteria ; but as it 

 somewhat restricts local nutrition, healing is slightly 

 retarded. 



Topical baths or fomentations usually consist of water 

 alone, but antiseptics, anodynes, vinegar, salines, and other 

 substances are often added. Unless otherwise specified, 

 they are applied hot. The temperature at which they are 

 used must be determined by the purpose to be served, by 

 the nature and extent of the malady, and the part of the 

 body to which they are applied. For the eye, they should 

 not exceed 100 Fahr. ; for contusions, abscesses, strains, 

 and lymphangitis, they should be as hot as the hand can 

 bear. Up to 110 Fahr. they generally soften and soothe. 

 At higher temperatures they irritate. To produce active 

 counter-irritation, as in bronchitis, pleurisy, or enteritis, 

 they are used at temperatures ranging from 120 Fahr. 

 upwards. For such cases, pieces of flannel or horse-cloth 

 saturated with boiling water, are partially dried by a wringer, 

 or by being rolled and pressed between dry coarse towels, 

 and are laid over a considerable extent of surface contiguous 

 to the parts affected. The hot, wet woollen cloth should 

 be covered with oilskin or a piece of mackintosh to retard 

 evaporation and cooling. The pained part to be soothed, 

 or the surface to be stimulated is sometimes covered with 

 several folds of woollen cloth on which hot water is poured 

 at short intervals. Jets of steam mixed with air, to prevent 

 scalding, used either plain or medicated, may be substi- 

 tuted for the ordinary stuping with water. Fomentations 

 are generally made with a sponge, tow or lint. When there 

 is pus or septic discharge, sponges should not be used, as 

 they are apt to retain and convey infective germs, while 

 the piece of lint or tow is thrown away as soon as done 

 with. 



