Cold is applied either by means of the cold bath or by compresses, pack, sponging, coils or ice.

Cold Compresses are made by using two or three thicknesses of lint or linen wrung out of cold water or ice water and applied over the inflamed part, and changed frequently.  A little vaselin may be rubbed on to prevent the skin from becoming irritated.  They are very useful where little weight can be borne.  If iced compresses are used a small block of ice partially wrapped in flannel is placed in a basin; there should be two compresses, one of which is kept on ice while the other is on the patient.

Compresses are very good in the early stage of tonsilitis, quinsy, sore throat, laryngitis and croup.

Ice-bags (India Rubber).—­With these, cold can be best applied and with less trouble.  These are made in different shapes.  For instance helmet-shaped to fit the head and long and narrow for the spine.

Crush the ice in small pieces and mix in it a little common salt,—­never fill the rubber bags more than half full; expel the air as much as possible by pressing before screwing on the top.  Always place a layer of lint, cotton or thin cloth between the skin and the bag.  The extreme cold is not only painful but liable to irritate the skin, and may cause frost-bites.  Its effect should be watched carefully.  Sometimes the weight causes discomfort.  In such cases suspend the bag.  For the head, fasten a bandage to the neck of the bag and pin the two ends to the pillow just high enough to allow the cap (bag) to barely touch the head.  Care should be taken to refill the ice-bags before the ice has melted.  At times a piece of ice is wrapped in moist lint or old linen and passed gently over the head in order to cool the head.

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For Appendicitis.—­There should be quite a thickness of cloth between the ice bag and the skin.  The latter must not become too cool.  In this disease this bag is a great reliever of the pain and generally used.

Ice Poultices.—­In some cases these are better than the ice bag for the reason that they fit the body better.  They are usually made of two parts of crushed ice to one of linseed meal or bran, together with a small amount of salt.  Make two bags of oiled silk,—­one should be smaller than the other.  Close all sides but one, with adhesive plaster.  Fill the smaller bag two-thirds full of ice, close and slip it into the larger bag.

Ice Water Coils.—­These can be bought.  They can also be made from rubber tubing.  Sew this upon a piece of rubber cloth in circles about one inch apart for five or six rounds; leave a yard or two of tubing at each end to be used as a siphon, A large pan of ice water is raised above the patient into which one weighted end of the tubing is placed, with a funnel inserted into it, covered with gauze to prevent clogging, while the other end is laid in a second basin on the floor which receives the water.  The upper pan must be kept filled.  This is very good for delirium in brain fever, etc., when applied to the head and also good for bleeding from the bowels in typhoid fever.  The stream of water can be regulated if necessary by a stop-cock.