Modes of Applying Heat. 7 



MODES OF APPLYING HEAT. 



POULTICES OR CATAPLASMS.— Poultices are 

 compositions for the local application of heat and moisture. 

 They are made of flaxseed meal, bran, oatmeal, bread, pota- 

 toes and carrots. One or other of these is stirred up in 

 boiling water until a thick, pasty consistency is reached. 

 This mass may then be applied, while very hot, directly to 

 the parts, and the whole is covered by a heavy cloth. Or 

 spread the mass on a piece of bagging (do this very quickly 

 so as not to cool the mass) and while steaming hot, apply. 

 Keep the poultice from drying by occasionally wetting it 

 with warm water. A very hot poultice acts as a counter- 

 irritant in contracting blood vessels in more remote parts, 

 besides its effect in abating pain. A warm, moist poultice, 

 softens broken down and dead tissues, and aids suppuration 

 and sloughing. 



CAUTION. — In poulticing a horses foot, always apply 

 the poultice to the sole of the foot. Never in any instance 

 apply the poultice around the hoof, for if you do, in the ma- 

 jority of cases, the hoof will fall off. 



FOMENTATIONS.— Are simply local baths, applied 

 by means of a sponge or cloth. Usually, water alone is used, 

 but Laudanum, Vinegar, Saline, and other remedies suit- 

 able to the ailment are sometimes added. They may be used 

 to cleanse wounds or parts O'f dried discharges. The tem- 

 perature must be regulated to the nature of the disorder, 

 and the portion of the body where it is situated. When ap- 

 plied to the eye, the degree of heat should not go beyond 

 lOO degrees Fahr. For external inflammations, bruises, etc. 

 the water can be as hot as can be borne by the hand, and 

 for internal inflammations as in pleurisy, inflammation of 

 the bowels, bladder, etc., should have a greater heat. When 



