684 GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



the controlliug areas over which the heat is applied. In this 

 manner inflammatory conditions of the throat, chest, and 

 abdomen are said to have been aborted, and internal haemor- 

 rhage effectually arrested. Conversely, cold may be used 

 over the spine to dilate distal arterioles. 



Fomentations are simply local baths. As technically 

 employed, the word refers to bathing parts with plain or 

 medicated hot water, by means of sponge or cloths. They 

 may be used to cleanse wounds or parts of dried discharges ; 

 they act as counter-irritants if very hot, or as mild, stimulat- 

 ing, soothing and softening applications if warm. In order 

 to produce much effect, besides a mere detergent one, they 

 should be applied for a considerable length of time — one 

 half hour at least — and be followed by drying and bandag- 

 ing. Fomentations reduce swelling and pain, and hasten 

 repair in bruises, strains and local infljimmatory lesions. 



Injections of hot water are employed to cleanse wounds, 

 stop bleeding and relieve pain and spasm. Injections may 

 be thrown into the rectum or vagina at a temperature of 

 115° to 120° F. In the vagina, hot water may stop post 

 partum haemorrhage, pain and congestion in the pelvis, by 

 producing uterine contractions, and atonic constriction of 

 vessels in neighboring parts, which lasts for several hours 

 following its use. Hot rectal injections (115° F.) subdue 

 -abdominal and pelvic pain or spasm, as intestinal or renal 

 colic and spasm of the neck of the bladder. The heat per se 

 in such injections may be invaluable in shock and collapse 

 as noted above. 



The water may either be led off through a rubber tube, 

 from a stop-cock in a pail or reservoir, placed a few feet 

 above the patient, or else siphonage may be done off-hand 

 through a bit of small-sized hose. Having hung a pail filled 

 with water three or four feet above the patient, the hose is 

 filled with water, and, closing the ends to keep it full, the 

 upper part is put in the pail, while the lower, smooth and 

 greased, is passed into the rectum or vagina ; or water may 

 be poured through a large tin funnel into the upper end of 



