Home > Hydrotherapy Techniques > Local Applications > Compresses and Packs > Fomentations

Fomentations

Large wet, hot applications, usually wool-mix cloths to produce skin hyperaemia. Cloths are changed as they cool SYN: foments

from Hydrothermic Remedies...

Procedure is found in:-

• Simple Remedies on page 8
• Hydrotherapy on page 6

EFFECTS:-

• Derivative
• Enhances the Immune System
• Sedative
• Analgesic
• Sudorific

from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...

• Follow with short cold
• use vaseline before daily treatments

Preparation for cold

• 10 minutes to abdomen before Cold Tub Bath
• or cooling Wet Sheet Pack - during Cold Enema
• Alternate with Cold Compress if difficult to get sweating
• prevents shivering and abdominal cramps and pain

Derivative, Revulsive, Antiphlogistic and Analgesic

• Directly over part, as hot as possible, 20min then
• Cold Compress or Heating Compress over area in interval, repeat 1-2hrs in...
  • acute Visceral Inflammation in
    • Pulmonary Congestion
    • Visceral Congestion
    • Hepatic Congestion
    • Acute Gastritis
    • Chronic Gastritis
    • Portal Congestion
    • Splenic Congestion
    • Gastroenteritis
    • Peritonitis
  • Pelvic Inflammation and Pelvic Congestion in
    • Orchitis
    • Kidney Inflammation
    • Rectal Pain
    • Vaginitis
    • Ovaritis
    • Chronic Metritis to hypogastrium, thighs and perineum,
    • Prostatitis to perineum
  • Abdominal Pain in
    • Constipation
    • Indigestion
    • Colic
    • Dysmenorrhoea
    • Gallstones
    • Kidney Stones
    • Hepatic Pain
    • Hepatitis
    • Neuralgia
    • Childbirth and Pregnancy
  • Haemorrhoids, Irreducible Rectal Prolapse - apply direct then reduce after heat, if unreduced repeat every hour 10min
  • Muscle Inflammation, Osteoarthritis
  • Throat Inflammation of larynx, Tonsillitis, Diphtheria
  • Syncope in Haemorrhages often fatal, prevention: moderately hot Fomentations to neck and top of head
  • Dislocations and Fractures, 20min before and after setting then Heating Compress lightly covered in dislocation
  • Headache of any sort - over spine, head, neck or stomach in Anaemic Headache,
  • Joint Pain 4x daily with Heating Compress at night
  • false and true Croup to throat with Heating Compressafter
  • Mustard Fomentation: powerful skin stimulation see Mustard Bath

Analgesic Excitant

5-10 min every 2hrs, as hot as the patient can bear, wrung very dry, Cooling Compress or Heating Compress in interval in:

• acute Local Skin Inflammations, early Erysipelas, Boils
• Swollen Painful Joints, Articular Effusions, Exudate,
• Muscle Spasm, Sprains, muscle tears, Trigger Points,
• Visceral Anaemias, local Infections
• Neuritis Pain in
  • Intercostal Neuralgia, Pleuritic Pain,
  • Backache, Sciatica
  • Nervous Headache or Neuritis in Toxaemia
• acute Neuralgia, acute Rheumatoid Arthritis - no cold, leave the fomentation on till skin temperature (15min) then remove, dry, cover
• Active Chest Congestion in
  • Lobar Pneumonia, Pleurisy, Bronchitis
• Heart Failure or Collapse in
  • Surgical Shock, Opium Poisoning

Cooling Compress or Ice Bag to heart in interval

• Hepatic Inactivity, irreducible Hernia
• Retention Fevers to spine followed by Cold Mitten Friction
• Renal Inactivity in Renal Congestion or Acute Nephritis - over whole lower back, follow by Cold Mitten Friction 1min then Heating Compress 30min and repeat
• Cerebral Hyperaemia, Nervous Headache, Sensation of Coldness, Numbness or Pressure - light fomentation to neck, back, top of head and face, change 2-3min
• Cerebro-Spinal Congestion of Meningitis
• Gastric Pain in Hyperpepsia - when pain or 30min after meals
• Toothache, Migraine, Earache - on face only Ice Bag or Cold Compress below jaw or on the neck
• Spinal for Urine Incontinence in Chorea - over anus
• Tympanitis in Typhoid Fever, Celiac Irritation and all its Reflex Irritations to abdomen

Contra-indications

• Paralysis or reduced sensation
• Hyperaesthesia of the skin
• intense Flatulence with Gas distention of intestines

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

Precautions:

• Avoid burning when sensation is not intact
• Place gauze next to skin when given to face
• If general sweating use Cold Mitten Friction
• Protect bony prominences (ilia, costal arches, clavicles and scapula) with extra towels
• In fever or if danger of cerebral congestion apply cold to neck and head
• If rapid pulse use Precordial Compress

Effects:

• Analgesic: as hot as possible renewed as soon as it becomes comfortable
• Derivative
• Preparation for cold treatment
• Stimulating - brief and hot followed by cold
• Sedative - prolonged moderate application