Bran Poultice
Sources: Papers On HealthGet a sufficient quantity of good bran in an ordinary
washhand basin. Heat the basin before beginning operations. Have also
a boiling kettle at hand. Pour the boiling water by little and little
into the bran, and mix and stir it up until it is all a moist mass, but
not wet. The thing is to avoid putting in more water than the bran
can easily absorb and hold. Then have ready a flannel bag of the size
and shape required
ready. The skin to which it is applied should first be oiled with olive
oil. The poultice may be fastened on with flannel bands. In any case it
must lie tightly on the skin. The patient must lie on it, if it be
applied to the back. One or two tablespoonfuls of mustard may be added
if great power is required, not otherwise.
Instead of this poultice, an india-rubber bag full of hot water may be
used, with two or three ply of moist flannel between it and the skin.
Our only reason for recommending bran is that many could not afford the
india-rubber bag.
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