Foment a’tions

(fo-men-ta’-shuns). Flannel, or spongio-piline, wrung out in some hot fluid and applied for the alleviation of pain. The spongio-piline should be put into the centre of a towel in a basin and boiling water poured on to it; then quickly close the towel over it, take one end in each hand, twist opposite ways till the spongio-piline is well wrung out, apply as hot as can be borne, and cover with a dry flannel bandage. For a turpentine fomentation, sprinkle half an ounce of turpentine on the soft side of the spongio-piline immediately before application; for an opium fomentation, sprinkle an ounce of laudanum on in the same way. Fomentations need frequent changing, every hour or oftener.