56
loose motions, cases of so-called nervous debility,
and all those in which there is obstinate heat in
the interior abdominal organs. But when there is no
acute discomfort which needs to be relieved
immediately/ and in the case of persons with low
vitality, and particularly, in the cooler hours of the
day/ the stimulating wet pack will be more
suitable.
The abdominal wet bandage is a broad bandage
of wet cloth worn round the abdomen. The cloth
used should be soft thick and capable of absorbing
water easily. Cloth washed with soap will not
satisfy the last condition and hence unsuitable for
our purpose. The cloth may be folded two or three
times so that its width is 9 " and thickness about \!*
Drench the cloth in water, wrap it round the
abdomen and pin it up as shown in the figure.
If the patient is weak and feels chill, cover the
wet pack with a coarse woollen wrapper so that the
pack may get warm with the internal heat, while1
the water slowly evaporates and escapes through
the meshes of the wrapper. Oil cloth/ rubber
cloth/ or plastic sheet should not be used in the
place of wool, for obvious reasons* If the person is
robust, and the season hot, the outer woolen
covering may be dispensed with.
The bandage may be memoved when an itching
sensation arises or after 3 to 6 hours. A short"
spinal bath, or the abdominal wet message, will be ,
a good finish for this treatment-
No case can be considered hopeless until this
has been tried long enough. Where the lungs are,
diseased or malformed, this bandage, should,
alternate with stimulQHng wet bandages for
neck and chest