l is generally used. The poultices when ready should be
applied without delay, therefore all preparations should be made in
advance. To prepare a poultice, first provide a piece of gauze or thin
old muslin about two inches wider than you wish the poultice to be when
finished, and about two inches more than twice as long. In a shallow
saucepan boil water, varying in amount according to the size of the
poultice desired; about equal parts of water and meal will be needed.
When the water is boiling briskly add the meal gradually, beating
constantly with a spatula or knife. The poultice is done when the
mixture coheres and is thick enough to drop from the spatula leaving it
clean. Quickly spread a layer of the hot flaxseed from a quarter to half
an inch thick on one-half of the muslin, leaving a margin on three sides
of about an inch (Fig. 25). Fold in the margins of the cloth (Fig. 26)
and then bring the other half of the cloth over the flaxseed so that the
top of the poultice is covered. Tuck the free end of the upper half of
the cloth under the turned in edges of the long sides.

[Illustration: FIG. 25.--Turn the edges of the muslin over the flaxseed
by folding first on the line _AA'_, and then on the lines _BB'_ and
_CC'_.]

[Illustration: FIG. 26.--Fold on the line _EE'_, bringing _FF'_ up over
the flaxseed and tucking it under at _D_ and _D'_.]

Carry the poultice on a hot plate, or rolled in a newspaper or hot
towel. Test it carefully with the back of the hand, apply it to the skin
gradually, cover it with cotton batting, oiled muslin, or several
thicknesses of flannel, and keep it in place with a bandage or towel.
Remove it as soon as it has become cold, and unless the skin is much
reddened apply a fresh poultice. If the skin is much reddened, anoint it
with vaseline or sweet oil, wrap it warmly, and apply the next poultice
as soon as the appearance of the skin is normal.

_Stupes_ or _hot fomentations_ are cloths, preferably of flannel or
flannelette, wrung out of boiling water and applied to the skin. Each
stupe should be three or four times as large as the area to be covered.
Two are needed, so that one may be prepared before removing the other.
To prevent escape of heat and moisture the stupe should be covered after
it has been applied, first with a piece of rubber cloth or oiled silk or
muslin, and next with several thicknesses of flannel, or cotton batting
made into a pad. The whole should be kept in place w