This is a procedure in which the whole body is wrapped in a wet
sheet, which in turn is wrapped in a dry blanket for regulating
evaporation. The blanket should be spread on the bed with its edges
hanging over the edge of the bed. The upper end should be about
eight inches from the head of the bed. Then spread a linen sheet
wrung out in cold water over the blanket so that its end is slightly
below the upper end of the blanket. The patient should lie on the
bedsheet with his shoulders about three inches below the upper age.
The wet sheet should be weekly wrapped round the body of the patient,
drawn in, tightly tucked between the legs and also between the body
and the arms. The sheet should be folded over the shoulders and
across the neck. Now the blanket should be drawn tightly around
the body and tucked in along the side in a similar manner, pulling
it tightly. The ends should be doubled up at the feet.
A turkish towel should be placed below the chin to protect the
face and neck from coming into contact with the blanket and to exclude
outside air more effectively. The head should be covered with a
wet cloth so that the sculp remains cold. The feet should be kept
warm during the entire treatment. If the patient's feet are cold,
place hot water bottles near them to hasten reaction. The pack is
administered for half an hour to one hour till the patient begins
to perspire profusely. He may be given cold or hot water to drink.
This pack is useful in cases of fever especially in typhoid and
continued fevers, and benefits those suffering from insomnia, epilepsy
and infantile convulsions. It is useful in relieving chronic cold
and bronchitis and helps in the treatment of rheumatism and obesity.
The full pack consists of a wet sheet enveloping the body, with
a number of dry blankets packed tightly over it, including a macintosh
covering or not. In an hour or less these are removed and a general
bath administered. The pack is a derivative, sedative, sudorific
and stimulator of cutaneous excretion. There are numerous modifications
of it, notably the cooling pack, where the wrappings are loose and
scanty, permitting evaporation, and the application of indefinite
duration, the sheet being rewetted as it dries; this is of great
value in protracted febrile conditions. There are also local packs,
to trunk, limbs or head separately, which are derivative, soothing
or stimulating, according to circumstance and detail.
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