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This bath requires a suitable receptacle for the feet, and a supply of very hot water, with cold water for tempering. (See also “Herbal Baths” below.)

The hot foot bath should be of as high a temperature as can be borne, so as to redden the skin of the immersed parts effectually. Ideally the vessel used should be sufficiently deep to allow the legs to be immersed in the water nearly to the knees. The temperature required for most positive effects is 104° to 122° F. The foot bath should begin at a temperature of 100° to 104° F., and should be gradually increased until 115° to 122° F., reached in about three minutes. The duration of the bath may be from 5 minutes to half an hour. The feet should be completely immersed in the water, and the effect may be intensified by increasing the depth of the water up to the knees. To produce the true revulsive effect (drawing the blood from one part of the body to another), the feet should be dipped in cold water after the hot soak. This sudden cooling of the skin will encourage a tonic circulatory reaction. At a temperature of 103° to 110° F. the hot foot bath is very useful for balancing the circulation, by the dilation of the blood vessels of the legs, relieving congestion of the brain and other organs in the upper half of the body. The very hot foot and leg bath (as well as cold applications to the feet) stimulate the involuntary muscles of the uterus, intestines, bladder, and other pelvic and abdominal viscera. The hot foot and leg bath are well used in the treatment of insomnia, lung congestion, dysmenorrhea, suppressed menstruation, ovarian congestion, and pelvic pain from other causes. It is a simple and valuable remedy in the early stages of mucous membrane congestion and local congestion of the head, chest, or abdomen. It may be made more stimulating by the addition of common salt or mustard powder. In foot baths, mustard relieves headaches and cerebral and other internal congestion, especially uterine congestion that is accompanied with dysmenorrhea.

Foot and Leg Bath

The very hot foot bath is exceedingly useful in a case of sprained ankle joint—to be employed the day after a cold application is used first to subdue inflammation and swelling. (See below, “Cold/Cool Foot Bath”; also see above “Partial Body Baths—Employing Cold Water.”)

A hot foot bath is contraindicated in any sensory loss to the feet or in cases of peripheral vascular disease.

COLD FOOT BATH (45° TO 55° F.)

The cold foot bath is of great service in producing reflex, revulsive, or counterirritant, and other effects. The sole of the foot is one of the most important areas in the body, having direct connection with the nerve centers that control the circulation of the pelvic and abdominal viscera. The reflex effects cause contraction of the vessels and muscles of the uterus and the organs connected with it. The blood vessels of the brain, the stomach, the liver, the bladder, and the intestines are made to contract at the same time. Intestinal peristalsis and contraction of the bladder are also excited.

The revulsive effects of the cold foot bath are very strong and continue for a long time—longer than those obtained from hot foot baths. The short cold foot bath (duration of 20 to 60 seconds only, for it is only the primary effect that is desirable) is useful in cerebral congestion and uterine hemorrhage.

COOL FOOT BATH (60° TO 70° F.)

The prolonged cool foot bath is well used as an anti-inflammatory measure in cases of injury to the feet and ankle, such as sprains, strains, and inflamed bunions. The feet must be well warmed by rubbing or by heat before the application is made.

THE ALTERNATE FOOT BATH

This foot bath is a more highly excitant measure than the cold foot bath.

In cases in which the feet are constantly cold and in cases of persistent sweating of the feet the alternate foot bath is most helpful. The feet are placed in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes, then in cold water for 20 seconds to 1 minute. They are then returned to the hot water for 2 minutes, then replaced in the cold water, this