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in relieving congestion and inflammation.

THE WET SHEET PACK. As this remedial appliance will be frequently
recommended in the pages following, its mode of application is here
described. Take a pail half filled with cold water, gather together one
end of a common cotton sheet, and immerse it, allowing it to remain
while preparing the bed, which may be done as follows: remove all the
bed-clothes except a coverlet and the pillows, then spread upon it, in
the following order, two ordinary comforters, one woolen blanket, one
woolen sheet, (or two woolen sheets if a woolen blanket is not at hand);
then wring out one-half or two-thirds of the water from the wet sheet,
spread it smoothly upon the blanket, and the patient being undressed,
places himself on the sheet, with his arms extended, while an assistant
wraps him closely and tightly with it, as quickly as possible. Each arm
may be thus covered by the wet sheet, or may lie outside of it, and be
covered by wet towels, prepared in the same manner as the sheet. Then
quickly and tightly cover with the blankets and comforters, tucking
snugly from head to foot. The head should also be covered with a wet
towel, and a bottle of warm water placed to the feet, or near enough to
keep them warm.

After the first shock of the chill is over, the pack is very pleasant
and refreshing, and the patient should go to sleep, if possible. The
ordinary time for a patient to remain in a pack is about sixty minutes.
Thirty or forty minutes is sufficient, if he is in a feeble condition.
Never wring the sheet out of warm water, for one of its principal
benefits comes from the vigorous reaction induced by its cold
temperature. After remaining in the pack from thirty to sixty minutes,
allow the patient to stand on his feet, if he is able, and have the
whole surface of his body bathed. Rub briskly, and dry with towels, or
by throwing over the body a dry sheet and then rubbing him. The dry
sheet retains the bodily warmth and is more comfortable, but interferes
with the completeness and vigor of the rubbing of the body. Be sure and
establish full reaction, which may be known by the warmth of the
surface. Frequently, when the patient is released from the pack, and is
being bathed, rolls of scales, scurf, and _skin-debris_ come off, thus
giving palpable evidence of the utility of the pack in freeing the
myriads of pores of the skin of effete matter. It is efficient in
fevers, and for breaking up colds