in Medicine, is a fluid externally applied, usually as warm as the patient can bear it, and in the following manner. Two flannel cloths are dipped into the heated liquor, one of which is wrung as dry as the necessary speed will admit, then immediately applied to the part affected; it lies on until the heat begins to go off, and the other is in readiness to apply at the instant in which the first is removed; thus these flannels are alternately applied, so as to keep the affected part constantly supplied with them warm. This is continued 15 minutes or half an hour, and repeated as occasion may require.

Every intention of relaxing and soothing by fomentations may be answered as well by warm water alone as when the whole tribe of emollients are boiled in it; but when disinfectants or antiseptics are required, such ingredients must be called in as are adapted to that end.

The degree of heat should never exceed that of producing a pleasant sensation; great heat produces effects very opposite to that intended by the use of fomentation.