For many purposes fomentations are superior to poultices, the chief difficulty being in keeping up the heat to the desirable standard.

A pad of thick flannel should be planned, and this soaked in boiling water, then wrung dry in a roller.

To assist in maintaining the heat, a piece of mackintosh sheeting ought to be put over the pad, and a dry flannel above all.

For difficult breathing, pain in the belly, or local pain, etc., moist warmth is exceedingly beneficial, and quite harmless under any circumstances.

In animals, it is a general custom to bathe the seat of disease with the hot water.

Perseverance is essential to success, and more harm results from hot fomentations applied in a half-hearted manner than where they are not used at all.