Learning Objective

• Introduction to poultices, their types and applications

Poultice, which is also known as cataplasms, is a soft, viscous, and wet or moist mass to be heated and medicated. This has to be spread on cloth over the skin for the treatment of an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body. It can be used on wounds such as cuts. It can also be a porous solid filled with solvent used to remove stains from porous stones such as marble or granite.

The word “poultice” comes from the Latin puls or pultes, meaning “porridge.”

Many ready-made commercial poultices are also available. Some of these may be labeled as “drawing salves.” Poultices may also be heated and placed on an area where extra circulation is desired.