Definition:
A cloth wrung from cold or ice water which may be applied to any part of the body surface.
Effects:
- Relieves pain due to edema or trauma.
- Prevents and relieves head congestion.
- Slows heart rate if applied over the heart.
- Constricts blood vessels, decreasing local blood flow.
- Decreases tendency to bleed due to vaso-constriction.
- Lowers body temperature when applied over at least one fourth of body surface, or when applied on the forehead or nape.
- Stops nosebleed when applied on the nasal area.
Things Needed:
- 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.
- A basin of ice water, 2/3 full.
- One bath towel.
Procedure:
- Wring compress cloth from ice water. Be sure it does no drip.
- Apply snugly on the area to be treated.
- Change or renew compress every 2-3 minutes.
- Treatment time: for decongestion—20-30 minutes; for fever, continuously, or as long as there is fever.
- At the end of the treatment, dry body part thoroughly with the towel and avoid chilling.
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