Wet Sheet Pack
Wet sheet pack is one of the most effective of all means for quieting the general nervous system, which is accomplished by lessening the blood supply of the brain, slowing the respiration and heart beat, lessening the reflex irritability and activity of the cerebral ganglia, increasing the quantity of lymph in the brain, and thus supplying a condition essential for sleep. It consists in enveloping the body with a wet sheet and preventing evaporation by careful protection with dry blankets. This treatment is adaptable to a great variety of conditions.
Tonic Stage (a little less than stimulating) - 15 minutes
- Fever
- Chronic toxemia – (distribution throughout the body of poisonous products of bacteria)
- Chronic disorders of the liver
- When the person cannot tolerate a cold bath
- Tonic
Neutral Stage - 30 minutes
- Anemia
- Nervous indigestion
- Neurasthenia (nerve related weakness)
- Chronic gastritis (inflammation of GI tract)
- Hypopepsia (impaired digestion due to lack of pepsin)
- Constipation
- Paresis (partial or incomplete paralysis)
- Insomnia
- Acute mania (mental disorder characterized by excessive excitement)
- Chorea (muscular twitching of limbs or face)
- Tetany (spasms, cramps, numbness & tingling of extremities)
- Neurasthenia with nervousness & depression
- Cerebral irritation
- Tranquilizing
Heating Stage - One Hour
- Preparation for a tonic treatment (cold douche, cold plunge)
- Cerebral congestion
- Liver & spleen congestion
- Constipation with hemorrhoids
- Abdominal dropsy
- Early stages of eruptive fevers when the skin is hot, dry & congested
- Measles
- Scarlet fever
- Smallpox
Sweating Stage - 1 ½ Hour
- Elimination of poisons
- Tobacco habit
- Drug addiction
- Chronic bronchitis with dry cough
- Chronic pneumonia
- Pleurisy
- Leathery, dry, hide-bound skin
- Alcoholism
- Gout
Items Needed
- Material for a cold compress
- 2 large wood blankets (with others-as many as needed)
- 1 large sheet
- 1-2 Blankets
- Bucket of cold water 55° - 70°
- 1 bath towel
- Plastic sheeting – if doing treatment on a bed
Treatment Procedure
- Have a word of prayer
- Explain the procedure
- Warm the person (warm shower)
- Have the person void
- Place 2 large wool blankets on the treatment table or bed. The pillow for the head should go under the blankets.
- Wring the sheet as dry as possible of cold water and spread it out on the blankets so that the upper edge will be a little above the upper edge of the blanket.
- The person then lies down upon the wet sheet.
- Both arms should be raised while one side of the sheet is wrapped quickly around the body. Draw the sheet smoothly in contact with the skin in all places; tuck under on the opposite side.
- Below the hips, the sheet is wrapped around the leg on the same side.
- The arms are then lowered and the opposite side of the sheet is drawn smoothly over the body, tucked in and folder over the shoulders and across the neck.
- Tuck in at the shoulders and neck. Pull the remainder of the blanket over and tuck under the body and feet.
- Do the same as above with other side of the blanket.
- Additional blankets may be laid over the person and tucked along the sides and about the feet.
- A bath towel, folded lengthwise into thirds is placed around the neck to exclude air.
- Cold compress to forehead, if heating the patient.
- Duration according to the effect desired.
- Remove person from pack.
- Warm shower and 20-minute rest for Stages 1-2. Cold procedure for Stages 3-4. Cold shower and 20-minute rest.
Special Notes
- Never leave the person alone while in the wrap.
- A hot water bottle can be used at the feet to help warm the person in the Wet Sheet Pack.
Cautions
- When person is too feeble to warm the wet sheet.
