THE THREE-QUARTER PACK (27)
Next to the abdominal pack the three-quarter pack is one of the best applications, especially for children.
A piece of woollen cloth, or a single blanket, as long as the patient and sufficiently wide to reach all around him, is placed on the bed in such a way as to be level with the arm-pits of the patient. A bedspread of about the same size as the blanket is then dipped into cool vinegar-water, wrung out well, and placed on the blanket so that the upper edge of the latter protrudes. The patient is now laid on the bedspread so that it reaches to the arm-pits. The moist spread is then turned up on both sides, part of it is tucked between the legs, and the protruding lower end is laid on or between the feet. Thus the body, from the arms down, is completely wrapped in the wet spread, and the woollen blanket is covered over it as usual and fastened with safety pins. The patient's shirt is then adjusted. The head, the neck, the uppermost part of the breast and back are not packed. Another blanket is placed over the patient and well fastened on all sides. A pillow must be placed between the feet and the lower edge of the bed. To avoid cold feet the wet spread should reach only to the ankles, and the feet be covered with the woollen blanket, or a hot bottle placed near them.
The three-quarter pack is very valuable in feverish diseases, since it takes effect on so large an area of the skin. It is also very helpful in case of meningitis and other inflammations. It should, however, not be applied by a layman, except with the greatest caution.
The inflamed parts must be covered with compresses, as in case of pneumonia and inflammation of the heart.
If three-quarter packs excite children too much, they must be replaced by abdominal and leg packs.
The patient should remain in the pack as long as he does not become too hot or restless. This may occur after 20 to 30 minutes, in case of severe fever; otherwise, the pack may last an hour or longer. The pack is very useful with children when indications of disease appear. In many cases it will develop and cure disease, such as measles, if it is properly applied for 2 to 2½ hours, and followed by a bath at 77 degrees or an ablution at 64 degrees.
When fever and inflamation begin to slacken, and also during convalescence, three-quarter or whole packs applied daily or every second day, followed by an ablution, are very useful for the purpose of solution and excretion.
In such cases the moist heat should be conserved by applying additional blankets or comforters to the limit of endurance.
THE HALF PACK (25)
The half pack is applied like the three-quarter pack, with the exception that it reaches only from the arm-pits to the knees.
It is especially necessary to close it carefully around the legs. The half pack allowing the body more freedom, it may be kept on all night.
It is most effective on the thighs in cases of sciatica. It is, however, also applied in case of febrile disease.