the fever, if possible, without the use of drugs. The following means
are often adopted. It is desirable that the mother should know just how
to carry out these methods:

Ice-Cap.--An ice-cap is used to protect the brain when a child or
adult is running a very high fever. It is put on when the fever is above
103 deg. F. It may be used in other conditions--brain disease, or disease of
the meninges or cord--in which case the physician will be in attendance
and will direct what should be done.

Ice-bags are procured in the drug stores. The best one is the flat
French ice-bag. Fill it three-quarters full of finely chopped ice, put
the ice-bag in a towel, and place on the patient's head. There should be
only one thickness of the towel between the ice-bag and the head.

It will be necessary to keep a record of the fever so that the ice-bag
may be withdrawn when it falls below 103 deg. F.

When the ice melts the bag must be at once refilled. This is often
overlooked by careless mothers.

Cold Sponging.--Cold sponging is used to reduce fever or to allay
nervous irritability. Equal parts of alcohol and water or vinegar and
water are used. The temperature of the water should be 80 deg. to 85 deg. F.

Infants to be sponged should be completely undressed and laid upon a
blanket. The sponging should be done for about fifteen or twenty
minutes, after which the child is wrapped in a dry blanket without
further clothing except the diaper. To be effective it must be done
frequently.

Cold Pack.--The cold pack is used to reduce fever. It is one of the
simplest and one of the best means we have. The child is undressed
completely, and laid upon a blanket. It is completely covered with a
small blanket (except its head) wrung out of water at 100 deg. F. Outside
of this the child is rubbed with a piece of ice, front and back, for a
sufficiently long time to render the surface cool, but not cold.
Children take kindly to this means of reducing fever; there is no shock
and they are quieted by it.

Just how long one will rub with the ice depends upon circumstances. From
five to thirty minutes may be employed. The head should be sponged with
cold water while this is being done and it is a good plan to have a
hot-water bottle at the child's feet.

The Cold Bath.--To reduce fever the cold bath is used in the following
way: Water at a temperature of 100 deg. F. is put into the bath and the
child is first put into this water, then the water