appropriate part of the body. The moist linen cloth
is in turn wrapped with a dry cotton or linen cloth.
The patient is then usually wrapped in a blanket or
another cloth and rests for 45 to 60 minutes or, if
the intention is to induce sweating, for up to three
hours. If the wrap does not feel warm after 15 min-
utes, a hot water bottle or hot tea may be offered.
If the patient feels ill or uncomfortable, the wrap
should be removed immediately. Various wraps
include neck (for sore throat), chest (for neuralgia
and upper respiratory disease), body from the
costal arch to the pubic bone (for inflammatory dis-
eases, ulcers, fever, cramps), trunk (for high fever),
hip (for prostatitis, vaginitis, hemorrhoids, anal
eczema, inflammation in the pelvic cavity), calf (for
lymphostasis, edema, withdrawal of heat in fever
and phlebitis; in varicose veins the effect can some-
times be amplified by applying earth or loam poul-
stices), and joint wrap (for rheumatoid arthritis and
arthrosis).
Wraps also employ water as a healing method. A
wrapping cloth is soaked in a hot infusion or decoc-
tion of herbs, wrung out, and applied to the
patient’s body. Alternatively, the wrap may receive
a coating of hot mud mustard flour, or fango. As a
further alternative, hayseed may be placed in a
sack and steamed. This wrap may aid the treatment
of painful chronic diseases such as arthrosis, renal
disease, or cystitis and may stimulate blood flow.
Always make certain that the temperature of the
wrap is tolerable before applying it. For a cool
wrap, cooled cataplasm is spread onto the wrap-
ping cloth and placed on the affected body area.
Crushed ice in a plastic bag may also be repeatedly
applied for one minute, then removed for four.
This may be therapeutic for various inflammatory
arthropathies, sprains and strains, and pleurisy. Ice
packs can also be used for headaches. When using
ice packs, place a thin cloth between the pack and
the skin to prevent frostbite. In addition, any appli-
cation of cold is not indicated for individuals who
have Raynaud’s disease.
General hydration of the entire body—a
response to thirst and loss of water through elimi-
nation and perspiration—is extremely important.
Experts suggest drinking eight glasses of water per
day.
See also HUMORS, THE FOUR.
hyperthermia Various types of heat treatment
geared toward increasing blood circulation and
extensibility of soft tissues, extracting toxins from
cells, increasing tissue-cell function, and inducing
muscle relaxation and pain relief. The two main
types of heat treatments are superficial and deep.
Superficial heat treatments involve applying heat
topically—to the outside of the body. Deep heat
treatments through ultrasound or electric current
direct heat toward specific inner tissues and struc-
tures. Heat treatments are beneficial before exer-
cise, when warming the soft tissues makes muscles
more flexible and prevents the possibility of injury
to “cold” muscles. Different ways to convey heat
include conduction—the transfer of heat from one
object to another, with objects in direct contact
with each other; conversion—turning another
form of energy into heat; radiation—the transmis-
sion and absorption of electromagnetic waves to
produce heat; and convection—creating heat when
a liquid or gas moves past a body part.
Hot packs, a popular form of heat treatment, use
conduction as the medium of heat transfer. Moist
heat packs are readily available in hospitals, walk-in
medical care centers, physical therapy centers,
sports training facilities, and elsewhere. With a ther-
apeutic temperature not exceeding 131°F (55°C),
the hot pack is placed over several layers of towels
or pads for not more than 20 or 30 minutes to pro-
duce comfortable warmth for the patient. Some
commercially prepared hot packs may be warmed
in a microwave before being applied to the patient.
Hot-water bottles have long provided superficial
heat treatment. A vinyl or rubber bag with a stop-
per at the opening forms the “bottle,” which is half-
filled with hot water ranging between 115°F and
125°F (46.1–52°C). Covered by a towel or other
protective cloth or pad, the hot-water bottle is
placed on the treatment area until the water has
cooled. Electric heating pads may also be used,
although safety issues are to be considered.
Melted paraffin wax containing mineral oil con-
ducts superficial heat and is often the topical heat
treatment of choice for uneven surfaces such as the
hands. Paraffin placed in a small bath unit solidifies
at room temperature and is used as a liquid heat
treatment when heated at 126–127.4°F (52–53°C).
In what is commonly known as the “dip and waxhyperthermia 61