The use of fomentations is often less convenient or desirable than dry
applications of heat, which may be made in a variety of ways. Bottles,
jugs, or rubber bags, filled with hot water, hot bricks or stones,
wrapped in papers or cloths, hot cloths, bags filled with hot sand,
salt, or corn meal, are all convenient methods of applying dry heat.
A few suggestions with reference to the manner of using hot applications
may be useful. In applying heat to the feet when the circulation in
those organs is defective, it is frequently insufficient to apply the
heat to the bottoms of the feet, only. For this reason, jugs or bottles
and stones are often applied without effecting any satisfactory results.
A much more efficient method is the following: Heat to a suitable
temperature two or three pounds of corn meal or salt. Place the salt or
meal in a bag sufficiently large to envelop the feet. After distributing
it evenly through the bag, wrap the latter about the feet and cover them
with a woolen blanket. A rubber bag partially filled with hot water is
an excellent appliance for use in cases of neuralgia, toothache, and
nearly all acute pains in the region of the head, as it will conform so
perfectly to the shape of the part to which it is applied, and may be
used as a pillow.
As a general rule, hot applications should not be continued more than an
hour or two, at longest, without, at least, a transient application of a
lower temperature. Too prolonged an application may result in injury to
the part.