Pack

Wrappings of wet fabric applied to a patient. A cold pack consists in wrapping the patient in a sheet wrung out in cold water, then envelop him in a dry blanket and mackintosh, and leave for thirty minutes, or the prescribed time. An ice pack consists in wringing out towels in ice water and applying them to the patient, perpetually changing them as they get warm. This last is to lower the temperature, and the temperature should be taken every few minutes while it is in progre . Hot packing is sometimes used in dropsy cases: wring out a sheet in water at 100 degs., wrap round patient, put on blankets and mackintosh, and leave about forty minutes. Of course the patient’s body clothing is removed before a pack is given; and care must be taken to avoid chill, particularly after the pack, when the patient must be carefully dried. Packing the vagina, often done before obstetrical operations, with the help of the speculum and antiseptic wool.