Page:The American improved family physician, or home doctor.djvu/17

This page has been validated.
INTRODUCTION.
11

five to twenty minutes, used cold or warm as indicated; never forget your friction after all bathing.

Bandages or Wet Cloths.—These must be linen or if linen cannot be had cotton will answer; fold these cloths up about five to ten folds; then dip them into the water, cold or warm, as indicated, and apply them to the parts affected, always remember a dry flannel or the same kind must cover the wet perfectly tight, and be perfectly dry on the outside, when both applied: this wet cloth must in some cases, where the inflammation is great, be changed every ten, fifteen or twenty minutes, (every time the dry over it, and if this dry one is damp, another one must be substituted,) till the inflammation has subsided, then it need not be repeated so often. In all Chronic Visceral diseases the Hydropathic wet Abdominal bandage ought to be worn; take toweling two yards and a half for an adult, this bandage wetted to reach once wet around your waist, and twice or three times dry, and pin tight, repeat after every bath, which is three or four times a day.