fomentation

Noun

fomentation (plural fomentations)

1. The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain by relaxing the skin, or of discussing (dispersing) tumours.
   • Twenty leeches were ordered to be applied round the nose every two days; frequent emollient fomentations; the local vapour bath; general bathing; stimulating pedilavia; a strict regimen; vegetables, milk, white meats; demulcent or acidulated drinks; avoidance of exposure to the sun or to cold air...1827 May 1, “XXVI. Spreading Ulcer of the Nose.”, in James Copland, John Darwall, John Conolly, editors, The London Medical Repository and Review, volume XXVII, number 161 (New Series, volume IV...
   • We have already spoken of the great utility of hot fomentation to the stomach and bowels, as a means of relieving intense suffering in any internal organ of the body, or in the extremities.1849 August, “Symptoms of Disease and Treatment. Hydropathic Treatment Proper for the Debilitated.”, in The Journal of Health: A Monthly Magazine, Devoted to the Illustration and Advocacy of the True...
2. A lotion or poultice applied to a diseased or injured part of the body.
   • […] I purged him with our Quintaeſſencia Solutiuo, eight dayes together, that being done I made him a fomentation, that cauſed him to ſweate well, and to ſpitte aboundaunce, […]1580, Leonardo Phioravanti [i.e., Leonardo Fioravanti], “A Cure of Vlcera Putrida, the which was in the Arme”, in Iohn Hester, transl., A Short Discours of the Excellent Doctour and Knight, Maister...
   • If too much milke be the cauſe, then the Nurſe ſhall not give the childe ſucke ſo often, nor in ſuch plenty: If it proceed from wind, and that doe cauſe the childe to be thus troubled, it ſhall be diſcuſſed with Fomentations applied to the belly and navell; and with Carminative Cliſters, which...1635, James Guillimeau [i.e., Jacques Guillemeau], “Of Gripings and Fretting in the Belly, which Trouble Little Children”, in The Nvrsing of Children. Wherein is Set Downe the Ordering and Government...
3. Encouragement; excitation; instigation.
   • [T]he Catholick King complained very much thereof, upbraiding the moſt Chriſtian King how ill this did correſpond to the ſo many aſſiſtances which were given by Spain to France ſince that from thence ſo great a fomentation was now preparing to his Rebels in Flanders.1678, [Guido] Bentivoglio; Henry, Earl of Monmouth [i.e., Henry Carey, 2nd Earl of Monmouth], The History of the Warrs of Flanders: Written in Italian by that Learned and Famous Cardinal Bentivoglio...
   • [I]n remote situations, physical and moral phenomena being divested of adventitious attractions, and presented to the mind in their true colours and real relations, are likely to attract its energies in proportion to their importance: at least, in this medium, many objects almost invisible in a...1802 September 30, James Sylvanus McLean, “From James Sylvanus McLean [letter]”, in Thomas Jefferson, edited by Barbara B. Oberg, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, volume 38 (July to November 1802)...