Definition:
A cloth wrung from cold or ice water which may be applied to any part of the body surface.

Effects:

1. Relieves pain due to edema or trauma.
2. Prevents and relieves head congestion.
3. Slows heart rate if applied over the heart.
4. Constricts blood vessels, decreasing local blood flow.
5. Decreases tendency to bleed due to vaso-constriction.
6. Lowers body temperature when applied over at least one fourth of body surface, or when applied on the forehead or nape.
7. Stops nosebleed when applied on the nasal area.

Things Needed:

1. Washcloth or lace towel or any clean piece ot cloth. The size should be proportionate to the area to be treated. For convulsions use bath towels.
2. A basin of ice water, 2/3 full.
3. One bath towel.

Procedure:

1. Wring compress cloth from ice water. Be sure it does no drip.
2. Apply snugly on the area to be treated.
3. Change or renew compress every 2-3 minutes.
4. Treatment time: for decongestion—20-30 minutes; for fever, continuously, or as long as there is fever.
5. At the end of the treatment, dry body part thoroughly with the towel and avoid chilling.