Fomentations are applied externally, and as warm as the patient can
conveniently bear, in the following manner: Two flannel cloths are
dipped into the heated liquor, of one which is wrung as dry as the
necessary speed will admit then immediately applied to the part
affected. The flannel lies on, until the heat begins to go off, and
the other is in readiness to apply at the instant in which the first
is removed:—thus these flannels are alternately applied, so as to
keep the affected part constantly warm. This is continued fifteen or
twenty minutes, and repeated two or three times a day, or as often as
occasion may require. The degree of heat should never exceed that of
producing a pleasing sensation; great heat sometimes produces effects
very opposite to that intended by the use of the fomentation.