Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine

Indications

• Relieves pain and tension
• Elevates body temperature to mild or high fever
• Mobilizes white blood cells in the bloodstream
• Stimulates production of antibodies
• Sweats out many body wastes and disease toxins
• Flushes the glands and organs

Contraindications

• Advanced age or debilitated condition
• Grave physical defects or illness
• History of heat stroke or hyperpyrexia‍

Procedure

1. Make sure of a recent good bowel movement even if an enema is required.
2. Lay 3 blankets on the bed, the top one extending well up over the head, to be used as a hood.
3. Cover the top blanket with a plastic sheet, then put down a set of heavy fomentations — three or four may be needed to extend from the patient's neck to his thighs. Cover well with three to five thicknesses of towels. An electric blanket turned high may be substituted for the steam packs if preferred. Blanket pack. One side of the pack is left open to show the layers, towels, fomentations, plastic sheeting, and blanket. An ice bag is at the patient's head and the nurse is taking the pulse at the temple.
4. The patient, wrapped in a sheet with a towel around the neck, lies on the fomentations which are then tucked up along both sides.
5. Next, a fomentation is laid over the abdomen, and another wrapped around the feet. Check to make certain the skin is not overheating.
6. Cover the patient with the plastic sheet, then the top blanket, well tucked in to hold the packs close. This blanket is brought over the head as a hood, leaving the face out. The second and third blanket may be used as needed.
7. Take the temperature and pulse every 15 minutes.
8. The patient remains in the pack from 45 minutes to several hours, determined by the level of the temperature required. The mouth temperature may be held at 102° F by loosening the blankets, or may be taken up to 104° F if needed. When the oral temperature is over 103° F, take readings of both pulse and temperature every five minutes. If the pulse approaches 160 or the temperature goes over 105° F, terminate the treatment.
9. Sweating should be profuse. If the treatment lasts over an hour or the temperature goes over 102° F, uncover the head and keep the face sponged with cool cloths. Place a cold compress on the forehead.
10. Give a minimum of one pint of saline per hour when the temperature is over 102° F. Patients who take a sufficient amount of fluids tolerate a long treatment much better than those who do not take fluids well. Offer water every 5-10 minutes.
11. Remove the patient from the pack, and finish with a shower or sponge bath.