While most people understand the cooling effect of a pack, the important diverting, dissolving and excreting effect is rarely understood. Few people understand why ablutions, abdominal and leg packs are prescribed in case of inflammation of the eyes; why, in case of ulcers, besides compresses on the part affected, nightly abdominal packs and ablutions in the morning, are considered indispensable; and why, in case of inflammation of one leg, the healthy leg is also subjected to a pack.
And yet the explanation is very simple, rational and logical.
In limiting packs, in case of inflammation, to the inflamed part only, the blood current would be directed mainly to the one place, and the excretion of autotoxins from the body would only occur in the inflamed place. The blood would carry all diseased matter principally to the diseased spot and deposit it there. The inflamed organ would thus be burdened with work which it simply would not be able to perform. The effect is far otherwise when the pressure of blood into the diseased part is moderated, if the dissolution and excretion of the matter that causes the disease, takes place, not in one spot only, but is distributed over the entire body. If the entire skin comes into action, the entire body participates in the healing process. In biological hygienic-dietetic practice it is, consequently, not sufficient to treat the one diseased organ only. In all diseases the co-operation of the entire body in a general treatment, remains the main issue of the biological, hygienic therapy. It regards the human body, as so often stated, purely as a unit, and knows neither specialist nor special cures. This is the key to its success.
IMPORTANT GENERAL ADVICE.
For use in packs take coarse, previously used and loosely woven linen, which readily absorbs water and clings closely to the body.
After each pack the linen must be rinsed well and boiled and the woollen material or blanket must be thoroughly aired. From time to time the woollen covering must be washed, or chemically cleaned, if possible.
Raw silk is an excellent substitute for linen. It clings well to the body, does not cause any discomfort, and has an excellent absorbing quality for water and other substances.
The proper application of the pack is of course of great importance. Adults can easily apply many of the packs without assistance, but generally speaking a third person is necessary, whether in the case of children or patients. It is consequently advisable for every mother to become thoroughly familiar with the methods of applying packs, and she should always have the necessary material on hand. It should be cut to the proper size, and there should be duplicates of each piece for the necessary changes. The approximate measurements for adults are:
| Width | Length | |
| Neck pack | 5" | 40" to 60" |
| Shoulder pack | 10" | 40" |
| Abdominal pack | 28" | 40" to 60" |
| Breast or stomach pack | 16" | 52" to 60" |
| "T" pack | 16" | 52" to 60" |
| Cross piece alone | 5" | 24" |
| The shawl | 32" to 40" | 32" to 40" |
| Scotch pack (undivided) | 16" | 80" to 100" |
| Same for children | 10" to 16" | 60" to 80" |
| Calf pack | 24" | 26" |
| Leg pack | 24" | 30" |
| Three-quarter pack | 56" | 52" to 60" |
| Whole pack | 68" | 80" |
| The measurements for children are accordingly shorter and narrower. | ||
As to the application of packs, a mother can learn a great deal by experimenting on her own body. Packs at night are by no means detrimental to adults, and the application of a regular abdominal pack, a three-quarter pack, and a whole pack once a week or once every two weeks is decidedly advantageous. Three-quarter and whole packs should be occasionally tried on the body of children with dry linen so that in case of disease the mother will be a well trained nurse, at least in this respect.