Cold Tub Bath
HYD
from Hydrothermic Remedies...
For Production Fever or when temperature is above 40°C. Better to use a Brand Bath
Procedure
Water 13-21°C. Followed by a Heating Wet Sheet Pack in bed or Cold Mitten Friction
Effects:
"The cold bath is one of the most powerful means of improving nutrition through its influence upon the sympathetic nervous system. The impression made by a cold bath upon the many millions of sensitive nerve endings in the twenty square feet of the skin surfaces reacts upon the whole body in a most powerful manner. Every nerve center, every living cell in the body receives a thrill and responds with increased activity to such an application." J.H. Kellogg, "Baths" The American Journal of Physical Therapy.
Definition
The immersion of the whole body in cool water (21-27°C) or cold water (13-21°C).
Physiologic Effects
- When used with normal temperature it's effect is stimulant and tonic.
- When used with fever it is antipyretic.
Indications
- Colds
- Flu
- Production Fever or when temperature is above 40°C. Better to use a Brand Bath
Contraindications
See Fevers
Often it is tempting to use general cold to reduce fever, these conditions are best treated otherwise:
- Do not use when patient is cold or is chilling. Wait until the entire body is warm.
- Sweating - indicates the body has beaten the fever, or everything that the body can do is being done. Treat by cold mitten friction or simply wiping off the sweat.
- Goose bumps - indicate chills, or toxins causing peripheral vasoconstriction. Use hot mitten friction or cold after heat to the spine.
- Cyanosis - indicates cardiac weakness, treat with short hot tub bath, enema or fomentations to the spine followed by Cold Mitten Friction.
- Cardiac Weakness - often seen by areolar cyanosis. Use precordial compresses, Hot and Cold Sponge to the spine and general Cold Mitten Friction.
- Myocarditis - endocarditis, and pericarditis often occur in continued fevers. Treat as for cardiac weakness
- Intestinal Perforation - as with cardiac weakness
- Peritonitis - treat with prolonged tepid bath or short hot bath followed by Cold Mitten Friction
- Pleurisy and Pneumonia - Cooling Chest Compress with fomentations every 3 hours otherwise as for peritonitis
- Tuberculosis - Wet Sheet Pack and Cold Mitten Friction and cooling chest compress.
Equipment
- Tub bath
- Hot Foot Bath or Russian Bath if patient is cold
- Bed prepared with sheets and blankets
- Towels and cold friction mitts
Procedure
Important Considerations
- Make sure the person is warmed thoroughly before getting into tub.
Preparation for Treatment
- Explain procedure
- Have patient void
- Hot Foot Bath taken 5-10 minutes and if necessary, apply a cold compress to head. The feet and entire body should be warm.
- Ensure the bed is ready
- Fill tub 2/3 full of water 21-27°C.
Treatment
- Undress
- After getting into tub, rub vigorously with mitts
- At least 30 seconds but leave the duration up to the patient's preferences
- When finished, while dripping wet, climb into bed between the sheets. Cover quickly with blankets.
- Remain at least 2 hours or even overnight
- Upon rising, finish with Cold Mitten Friction
Completion of Treatment
- If finishing with a Cold Mitten Friction, make sure patient is warm and dry.
JHK
from Dr JH Kellogg's Hydriatic Techniques...
15, 10-20°C cool 24, 21-27°C
- Bathe head, neck and chest in water 5°C below that of the bath before entering.
- Protect head with very cold wet towel.
- Enter quickly
- Vigorous rubbing during entire bath
- Leave as soon as good reaction is obtained
Rarely indicated - the Cold Plunge or other Tonic cold are usually far superior
As an Antipyretic use Graduated Tub Bath
Contra-indications
same as for Cold Plunge and also:
- Heart Disease - especially ischaemic
- The very young and old
- Pregnancy
- Fevers due acute inflammations
- Haematuria