Moist heat, in the form of plasters, poultices, and stupes, is more penetrating than dry heat, and is often employed in cases of severe inflammation.

Mustard plasters are in such common use that it seems unnecessary to mention their value as counter-irritants.

To Make a Mustard Plaster.—For an adult, mix together in the proportion of 1 tbsp. mustard and 3 or 4 tbsp. flour, and rub into a smooth paste with warm water—not hot or cold water.

For a child, use from 4 to 6 tbsp. flour to ½ tbsp. mustard.

Spread the paste on muslin, turning each edge over about an inch. Cover with gauze or a piece of thin muslin.

To prevent blistering, it is well to add beaten white of egg in making the plaster, and to anoint the skin with vaseline or olive oil before applying the plaster.

After removing plaster (in about fifteen minutes), cover skin with thin muslin.

If much inflamed, apply olive oil or vaseline.

Flaxseed is the favorite material for making a poultice, because the oil in the seed retains heat longer than most other materials.

To Make a Flaxseed Poultice.—Into a cup of boiling water, stir as much ground flaxseed as it will “take up.” Spread on muslin; fold edges over one inch or more, and cover with one layer of gauze. Poultice is applied as hot as possible to the surface. Replace in one hour.

A bread poultice is made by laying a slice of bread in a sieve, and pouring hot water over it. It is placed on muslin and applied direct.

Poultices are not used as much as they were a number of years ago, but stupes give such relief to pain in the abdomen that mention should be made of the

Turpentine Stupe.—To 1 pint boiling water, add 2 tsp. oil of turpentine. Dip a large piece of flannel into this. Wring out by twisting in a towel—lay wet flannel in center of towel, fold edges of towel over the flannel and twist ends of towel until the flannel is quite dry. Apply hot! Cover with a large dry towel. Watch that it does not blister. Anoint with vaseline or olive oil before applying stupe if skin is very sensitive.

An easier method is to mix together equal parts oil of turpentine and olive oil. Heat by setting the cup containing the mixture in very hot water. Apply by rubbing. Cover with woolen cloth wrung out of hot water, as described above.