This efficient means of producing the good effects of cold-water applications consists in wrapping the body in a linen sheet wrung out in cold water. The appliances are these: An ordinary single bedstead; a hard mattress covered with several thicknesses of blankets or comforters; a linen sheet. The sheet is dipped in cold water, and, when thoroughly wrung out, is laid smoothly on the bed. The patient reclines on the sheet, his head supported by a pillow. One side of the sheet at a time is then drawn over the patient's body and neatly tucked under the opposite side, the feet and legs being lifted up and the sheet made to entirely envelop them. Some blankets or comforters are now closely applied around the body of the patient. There is at first experienced a disagreeable sense of chilliness and discomfort, which is soon succeeded by a delightful glow. When reaction is fully established, the wet-pack should be removed, and the body be well rubbed with dry towels. The duration of this application should be from fifteen minutes to an hour. When active diaphoresis is the object to be accomplished, the patient must be well enveloped in blankets, and continue in the bath for the longest period mentioned above.

The Rubbing Wet-Pack

This is a convenient mode of taking the morning bath as a hygienic measure, and also of procuring more speedily some of the good effects of the wet-pack as applied above. It consists in enveloping the body with a sheet dipped in cold water, and rubbing vigorously with the sheet to induce reaction quickly. The patient stands up during the application, and an attendant rubs those parts inaccessible to the patient. When the sheet is removed the skin is dried by the vigorous application of coarse towels, and the patient immediately puts on his clothing.

When it is not advisable to apply the wet-pack to the whole body, or when local diseases require limited application of the wet-pack, the sheet may be wrapped around the trunk only, or be confined to the region of the affected organ. In cases of extreme debility, or in very susceptible persons, the sheet may for the first applications be wrung out in tepid water, and subsequently the temperature of the water be lowered to that of the air (40° to 70° Fahr.).