whirlpool bath

bath (bath)

1. a medium, e.g., water, vapor, sand, or mud, with which the body is washed or in which the body is wholly or partially immersed for therapeutic or cleansing purposes; application of such a medium to the body.

2. the equipment or apparatus in which a body or object may be immersed.

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colloid bath  one containing gelatin, starch, bran, or similar substances.

contrast bath  alternate immersion of a body part in hot and cold water.

emollient bath  one in an emollient liquid, e.g., a decoction of bran.

half bath  a bath of the hips and lower part of the body.

hip bath  sitz b.

sitz bath  immersion of only the hips and buttocks.

sponge bath  one in which the body is not immersed but is rubbed with a wet cloth or sponge.

whirlpool bath  one in which the water is kept in constant motion by mechanical means.

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whirlpool bath

[(h)wurl]

the immersion of the body or a part of the body in a tank of warm water agitated by a jet of equally hot water and air, often used to clean infected wounds.

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whirlpool bath

see whirlpool bath.