An Effective Pain Killer by Mrs. Elsie M. Shannan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

An Effective Pain Killer

By Mrs. Elsie M. Shannan

The Fomentation

MRS. ELSIE M. SHANNAN

The majority of people know of no other means of relieving pain than the taking of opium, laudanum, or some much-advertised “pain killer,” all of which in many homes may be found in the family medicine-chest. In the absence of these drugs a doctor is usually sent for, and the sufferer remains in agony until his arrival; whereas the application of a simple remedy, the fomentation, would give almost instant relief in the majority of cases. The opiates do relieve pain for a time by benumbing the nerves; but they do not remove the cause of the trouble, and so can not be regarded as a cure. Then, too, we must remember that opium and other “pain-killing” drugs are highly poisonous.

The fomentation, or local vapor-bath, is used in place of the old-fashioned poultice, and has the advantage of being clean, light, and quickly prepared. Its uses are many. It is beneficial in all cases of local pain, such as colic, indigestion, sore throat, neuralgia, pleurisy, swellings, bruises, sprains, and injuries. It also quickly relieves deep-seated congestion by drawing the blood from the affected part to the surface. If the local pain is accompanied with great heat, and there is evidence of acute inflammation, the cool compress may give greater relief than the hot. Experience teaches that there are few painful affections which are not benefited, if not entirely relieved, by the fomentation. A weak stomach, a sluggish liver, and inactive kidneys are all stimulated to activity under its influence.

In the application of fomentations but few articles are required, and these such as are found in every household. They include boiling water, two pieces of thick, soft flannel, and one or two Turkish towels. An ordinary single blanket makes four large fomentation cloths. Prepare the patient for the treatment by removing all the clothing from the affected part. The feet should be thoroughly warmed before the treatment is begun. Then have the patient lie down on a bed or lounge. A good plan is to place a blanket, or in very warm weather a sheet, on the bed, and wrap it about him, bringing it over the fomentation after it is applied. Now place one of the pieces of dry flannel (one or two thicknesses) on the skin over the affected part. This is to allow the heat of the fomentation to reach the skin gradually, and to prevent burning. Take the other cloth and fold it lengthwise into about eight thicknesses, grasp the two ends, one in each hand, and dip the middle portion into the boiling water, holding it there for a few seconds until hot and well saturated. Now wring out as dry as possible by twisting, the ends in opposite directions, and by pulling out lengthwise. Repeat the process of twisting and stretching until the cloth is wrung quite dry. If the cloth is not wrung as dry as possible, there is danger of burning the patient, also of making the bed damp. This wringing of the fomentation cloth should take only a few seconds. Quickly open out this wet flannel to the desired shape, and enfold it in the dry piece, covering it well and folding up the ends. A piece of oilcloth or of rubber sheeting makes a good covering to prevent the escape of steam; it also helps to keep the bedclothes dry. If the room is cold, the bed covers should be drawn up and tucked in snugly at the patient's shoulders.

The water from which the cloth is wrung must be kept at the boiling-point until the last cloth has been applied. Water that is cool enough to bear the hands in is of no use. A small oil-stove in the patient's room will save many steps.

Ordinarily, the fomentation will require renewal at the end of about five minutes. When it is renewed, the dry cloth should be left in place, while the other is again wrung out and replaced as quickly as possible to avoid cooling. A better plan is to provide two sets of cloths, having the second fomentation ready before the first one is removed. Usually three or four changes will be sufficient for one treatment, though it may need to be repeated several times in the day. Sometimes continuous applications for several hours are necessary in cases of acute pain, or when the symptoms return as soon as the fomentation is removed. In such cases it is

well, every half-hour, to replace the fomentation with a small towel, wrung out of cold water, for a minute or two.

After the removal of the last fomentation, the part treated should be wiped with a cloth wrung out of cold water; then well dried, and rubbed briskly with a little oil. If the patient is perspiring, he should be given a cool sponge-bath all over, or dried well with a towel, and allowed to cool off before leaving the bed or going outside. If the cold sponging aggravates the pain after the hot treatment, as it does at times in cases of rheumatic joints, gout, and neuralgia, avoid it; but dry well, and cover the part with cotton-wool, or with warm, dry flannel, to exclude air.

The patient's feet should be kept warm during the fomentation, and the head cool; otherwise the good effect of the treatment may be lost.

In case of emergency, or where one is unable to get boiling water, the flannel may be wrung from cold water, and placed in the oven or on a sheet of iron over an open fire, or between two folds of newspaper on the top of the stove, turning it over occasionally. The wet cloth will protect the paper from burning, and the paper keeps the cloth clean, and holds the steam, which collects and heats the cloth to boiling heat. A second cloth should be heating, ready to apply when the first is removed. Or the wet cloths may be wrapped around a hot stovepipe, or placed in a steamer, or wrapped around hot stove-lids, pieces of hot iron, bottles of hot water, or rubber bags. Moist heat is usually much more effectual than dry heat. If flannel can not be procured, cotton cloths may be used, such as Turkish towels, but they are not so satisfactory.

While the cloths must be decidedly hot, great care must be taken not to blister the skin. This is especially important with children and aged persons, also with the insane or paralyzed. Blistering can always be prevented by oiling the parts well before applying the first fomentation, and by occasionally slipping the hand underneath the fomentation, and raising it from the skin for a few seconds. In order to accomplish good, the fomentation must be as hot as can be borne, and large enough to more than cover the affected part.