352 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



cold water, or alternations of hot water and cold water 

 may be used. The alternate douche is the most stimu- 

 lating; the hot douche is sedative, and is especially 

 useful as a means of relieving pain. When the hot 

 douche is employed, there should be a dash of cold 

 water at the end. The cold douche is a powerful tonic. 

 The patient may administer this to himself by means 

 of a rubber tube attached to the water faucet. 



Local Fomentations.— Wlien great local irritation 

 exists, with considerable pain and spasmodic muscular 

 action, the application of hot fomentations to the peri- 

 neum will be found the most effectual means of giving 

 relief. The hot douche and hot sitz bath are useful 

 under the same circumstances. 



In some cases, alternate hot and cold applications 

 are more effectual in allaying local irritation than hot 

 fomentations alone. 



Local Cold Bathing.— The genital organs should 

 be daily bathed in cold water just before retiring. Sim- 

 ply dashing water upon the parts for two or three 

 minutes is insufficient; more prolonged bathing is nec- 

 essary. A short application of cold occasions a strong 

 and sudden reaction, which increases local congestion; 

 hence the bath should be continued until the sedative 

 effect is fully produced, which will require at least fif- 

 teen minutes. The water must be cold; about 60° is 

 the best temperature. Ice should be used to cool the 

 water in warm weather. It should be applied thor- 

 oughly, being squeezed from a sponge upon the lower 

 part of the abdomen, and allowed to run down. 



The Enema.— The use of the enema is an impor- 

 tant means of aiding recovery; but it has been much 

 abused, and must be employed with caution. When 

 the bowels are very costive, relieve them before re- 



