are applied. In
all of these cases it is more expedient and comfortable to use "knit"
packs. Cotton stockings of suitable length from which the foot has been
removed, should take the place of the linen or towel in the packs
previously described. They are moistened and covered with woollen
stockings of corresponding length. The foot parts are to be used only
for foot packs in a similar way. The woollen stocking should be as loose
and comfortable as possible. In case of bent legs (through gout or
otherwise) the moistened linen is wrapped around the leg like a
bandage, and then a woollen bandage is wound over it.

In cases of severe fever the wrists are also packed, no woollen cover,
however, being necessary in this case.

The leg pack has, in the first place, a diverting and consequently a
calming effect. It is, therefore, of the highest value, next to the
abdominal, cross, neck and shoulder packs, in all feverish and
especially all chronic cases of disease where congestion in the head and
breast, with consequent dizziness, headache, insomnia, pains in the
lungs and heart, must be removed; moreover, in chronic cases, they
assist in the effects of the abdominal pack.

Foot packs, that is, wet stockings, have a very favorable action upon
headache, toothache and earache, and are best applied during the night.
If they excite the patient too much, they may easily be taken off during
the night; otherwise they should be followed by a cold ablution of the
feet in the morning. Nervous patients are usually unable to stand the
wet stockings, which only work well if the feet become warm quickly,
which, as a rule, is not the case in feverish illnesses.

Patients who suffer from cold feet should take a steam foot bath before
applying cold foot packs.

Since the legs and the feet develop less heat than the abdomen, leg and
foot packs do not require as thick material as abdominal packs, and are
changed less frequently. They are best applied when the fever is at its
height, in the late afternoon and at night. In case leg packs are
continued for a long while, the legs show decreasing inclination to grow
sufficiently warm. Whenever this occurs, leg packs must be discontinued,
or the packed legs must be warmed in an artificial manner.

The diverting wrist packs are of special value, especially in all acute
diseases of the lungs (inflammations, bleedings, hemorrhages) and the
heart.

NECK PACK (26)

This is made by folding a piece