Next to the abdominal pack the three-quarter pack is one of the best
applications, especially for children.
A piece of woollen cloth, or a single blanket, as long as the patient
and sufficiently wide to reach all around him, is placed on the bed in
such a way as to be level with the arm-pits of the patient. A bedspread
of about the same size as the blanket is then dipped into cool
vinegar-water, wrung out well, and placed on the blanket so that the
upper edge of the latter protrudes. The patient is now laid on the
bedspread so that it reaches to the arm-pits. The moist spread is then
turned up on both sides, part of it is tucked between the legs, and the
protruding lower end is laid on or between the feet. Thus the body,
from the arms down, is completely wrapped in the wet spread, and the
woollen blanket is covered over it as usual and fastened with safety
pins. The patient's shirt is then adjusted. The head, the neck, the
uppermost part of the breast and back are not packed. Another blanket is
placed over the patient and well fastened on all sides. A pillow must be
placed between the feet and the lower edge of the bed. To avoid cold
feet the wet spread should reach only to the ankles, and the feet be
covered with the woollen blanket, or a hot bottle placed near them.
[Illustration: No. 8]
The three-quarter pack is very valuable in feverish diseases, since it
takes effect on so large an area of the skin. It is also very helpful in
case of meningitis and other inflammations. It should, however, not be
applied by a layman, except with the greatest caution.
The inflamed parts must be covered with compresses, as in case of
pneumonia and inflammation of the heart.
If three-quarter packs excite children too much, they must be replaced
by abdominal and leg packs.
The patient should remain in the pack as long as he does not become too
hot or restless. This may occur after 20 to 30 minutes, in case of
severe fever; otherwise, the pack may last an hour or longer. The pack
is very useful with children when indications of disease appear. In many
cases it will develop and cure disease, such as measles, if it is
properly applied for 2 to 2-1/2 hours, and followed by a bath at 77
degrees or an ablution at 64 degrees.
When fever and inflamation begin to slacken, and also during
convalescence, three-quarter or whole packs applied daily or every
second day, followed by an ablution, are very useful for the purpose of
solution and excretion.
In such cases the moist heat should be conserved by applying additional
blankets or comforters to the limit of endurance.