ith a bandage or
towel used as a binder. The doctor will tell how often the stupes are to
be applied, but if the skin becomes irritated they must be stopped until
its appearance is again normal.

[Illustration: FIG. 27.--WRINGING STUPE. (_From "Elementary Nursing
Procedures," California State Board of Health._)]

Great care must be taken in applying fomentations. They do little good
unless very hot, but if applied too hot the patient is likely to be
scalded. They must be wrung as dry as possible; but it is difficult to
wring them without scalding the hands unless stupe wringers are used.
Stupe wringers are heavy pieces of cloth, like roller towels or pieces
of ticking, long enough to extend over opposite sides of the basin in
which the stupe is to be boiled, and wide enough to hold the stupe
easily. The wringer should be placed in the basin with the stupe
arranged upon it. Boiling water should then be added, or the water,
stupe, and wringer may be boiled together in the basin. After the stupe
is ready, the wringer with the stupe upon it should be removed from the
water by grasping the dry ends of the wringer. Then the ends should be
twisted in opposite directions until the stupe inside is as dry as
possible. Wringing is made easier if the wringer has wide hems into
which sticks such as pieces of broom handles are inserted. By twisting
the sticks in opposite directions the stupe may be wrung out easily.

COLD APPLICATIONS

DRY COLD.--Cold, like heat, may be used either dry or moist. Bags of
rubber or of Japanese paper filled with small pieces of ice are used to
apply dry cold. When weight is to be avoided, the bag should not be
completely filled. After the bag has been filled and the air has been
expelled, it should be stoppered securely and wrapped in a towel or
piece of flannel, since it is possible for an uncovered ice bag to
freeze the skin. Ice bags are easily punctured, and care should be taken
not to bring pressure upon them especially when filled with sharp pieces
of ice. An ice bag not in use should be thoroughly dry inside and out;
it should be put away with enough absorbent cotton inside to keep the
surfaces from adhering. Bags of Japanese paper are less costly than
rubber, but less durable. To close them one should roll the top over and
then tie it tightly with string.

MOIST COLD.--Cold compresses for the head are often used for patients
with fever or headache; they sometimes quiet a patient who is re