Effects

• Stimulates muscular, glandular & metabolic activities of internal organs and blood vessels
• Increases circulation
• Increases sweating
• Increases bactericidal antibody production
• May increase WBC count to 4 x normal
• Increases cellular oxidation
• Increases cellular elimination of bacteria toxins
• Increases rate of enzymatic activity (increases the ability of the WBC's to fight disease)
• Equalizes circulation throughout the body (relieves congestion of internal organs)
• Increases acidity of mucous membrane secretions (enables lysozymes to kill more bacteria)

Useful Treatment for:

• General respiratory conditions (chest colds, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia)
• To make expectoration more productive
• Abdominal conditions (pancreatitis, hepatitis)
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• To relieve post-op pain and help prevent complications
• Nervous conditions (depression, insomnia, anxiety, exhaustion, etc.)
• General toning up of systems and circulation.

Contraindications

• Severe vascular disease and obstructive circulatory disturbances
• Heart diseases
• Diabetes (HFB no hotter than 100-102)
• Some malignant diseases
• Unconsciousness
• Appendicitis
• Bleeding ulcers
• Loss of sensation

Equipment

• Bed and pillow
• 2 sheets and 1 pillowcase
• Plastic sheet (old shower curtain, etc.)
• Blanket
• Foot tub
• Basin (filled with icy cold water)
• Pitcher (filled with very hot water)
• 4 fomentations
• 8 fomentation covers
• 8 or more bath towels
• 2 or more washcloths
• Water to drink

Procedure

1. Cover bed with plastic sheet then cloth sheet.
2. Place fomentation on bed parallel to spine with top edge reaching to the top of the patient's cervical spine (do not place under the head).
3. Put about 3" of 102 degree water in the foot tub. Place a towel and hot foot bath (HFB) on area of bed where feet will rest (with knees bent).
4. Place a sheet and blanket over the bed (over HFB and fomentation).
5. Have the patient lie down (under top sheet) on fomentation and place feet in foot tub (be sure to preserve the patient's modesty).
6. Tuck the cover around the patient to avoid any air currents.
7. Place the patient's arms down by their sides but out from the body somewhat.
8. For a chest treatment, place two bath towels and the fomentation on the chest area, tucking it in snugly around the sides of the body to cover as much lung area as possible (the top of the fomentation should come just under the armpit). If the throat is sore the fomentation can be placed over the arms and neck. Cover the fomentation with another towel to hold in heat and leave on for 3-5 minutes. [For an abdominal treatment, cover the chest area with a bath towel for warmth and modesty. Cover the abdomen with two bath towels and the fomentation. Cover the fomentation with another towel and leave on for 3-5 minutes.]
9. Pull the cover back up over the body and tuck around the shoulders and neck as soon as possible. Uncover the patient only as necessary to change the fomentations.
10. While waiting to change fomentations, add hot water from the pitcher to HFB. To do so, raise the blanket and sheet in one motion over the HFB and tuck behind the knees to avoid drafts. Have the patient leave their feet in the water, placing one foot on top of the other and moving them to one side. As you pour, place your hand between the hot water and their feet, mixing the water. Keep adding hot water until the patient indicates it is as hot as he/she can take (use water no hotter than 100-102 degrees for diabetics).
11. Place a cold compress (wash cloth wrung from ice water) to the forehead and wipe the face with another one. Change the compress frequently.
12. Squeeze out a bath towel or terry cloth mittens from ice water. Remove the chest/abdominal fomentation and towels quickly, replacing them with the cold wet towel. Begin friction immediately (avoiding the breasts) and continue for 30 seconds.
13. Repeat steps 8-12 two more times.
14. When the last fomentation has been removed give the last CMF (cold mitten friction) to the chest/abdomen, then friction with a dry towel and leave the towel covering the chest/abdomen.
15. If the patient is small, the final CMF can be given to the chest and abdominal areas at the same time. If the patient is large, CMF and dry these areas separately after the final fomentation. Pull the cover up snugly around the patient's neck after the CMF.
16. Have the patient hold one arm up. CMF and dry it, then replace it under the cover. Repeat for the other arm.
17. Pull the blanket and sheet up over the HFB and tuck behind the knees. Supporting the feet above the bucket with one hand, pour cold water over the feet with your other hand. Remove the HFB. Dry and cover the feet. Be sure to dry well between the toes.
18. CMF and dry one leg, keeping the cover tucked around it for modesty and protection from drafts. Repeat for the other leg.
19. Have the patient sit up or roll to one side. CMF and dry the patient's back. Remove the back fomentation.
20. If the sheets are damp from the CMF or the patient's sweating, carefully change the sheets guarding the patient from drafts.
21. Keep the patient warm and resting for 20-30 minutes.