[ad. late L. fōmentātiōn-em, n. of action f. fōmentāre to FOMENT. Cf. F. fomentation.]
1. Med. The application to the surface of the body either of flannels, etc., soaked in hot water, whether simple or medicated, or of any other warm, soft, medicinal substance. Dry fomentation (see quot. 1882).
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 252. Þer upon þou schalt make a fomentacioun wiþ hoot water.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Formul., X j b. Fomentacyon with oyle and terebentyne medled & warmed.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, I. xxxiv. 50. In manner of a fomentation or a warme bathe.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 289. Biting of field spiders are to be cured by constant baths, the decoction of the bituminous trefoile and oile, fomentation with sponges in vineger.
1702. J. Purcell, Cholick (1714), 133. Flannel, or a Thin Woollen Cloth worn next to the Skin, and covering all the Belly, is a lesser kind of perpetual Fomentation, recommended by Galen and others.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., s.v., A Dry Fomentation.
1801. Med. Jrnl., V. June, 578. By fomentations with water, heated to 96 or a 100 degrees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer.
1882. M. Beck, in Quain’s Dict. Med., s.v. The term ‘dry fomentation’ is sometimes applied to bags of salt, hot bran, or chamomile flowers; or pieces of flannel toasted before a fire and applied hot.
b. concr. The remedial means so applied.
1546. Phaer, Bk. Childr. (1553), R j a. Ye may make a fomentacion of hoate and moist herbes.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exp. Chyrurg., xv. 58. Boyle them in the Broth of the head and feet of a Weather, for a Fomentation.
c. 1720. W. Gibson, Farrier’s Dispens., xi. (1734), 249. Fomentations are made only with aqueous Menstruums whereas Embrocations consist of [etc.].
1789. W. Buchan, Dom. Med. (1790), 311. Flannels wrung out of warm spirituous fomentations should likewise be applied to the region of the stomach.
1886. Fitzwygram, Horses & Stables, § 314. Hot water makes the best fomentation.
fig. 1593. Q. Eliz., Boeth. (E.E.T.S.), 30. Because the fomentations of my reason haue entred in the, I suppose I must vse som stronger remedies.
† 2. The action or process of cherishing with heat or warming. Obs.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. iii. 42. In this discription of Moses, Gen. I. 2. we have the Spirit’s Motion, Fomentation, and Formation of althings out of this Chaos … or by the Fomentation of an Hen, that sets abrood.
3. fig. The action or process of fomenting, fostering or stimulating; encouragement, instigation.
a. 1612. Donne, Βιαθανατος (1644), 39. Now although it be possible to sinne and transgresse against this sensitive nature, which naturally and lawfully is inclined upon bonum delectabile, by denying to it lawfull refreshings, and fomentations; yet I think this is not that law of nature which these abhorrers of Self-Homicide complaine to bee violated by that Act.
1670–1. Marvell, Corr., Wks. (1872–5), II. 373. I am in the meanetime well pleasd to find him and Mr. Whittington jealous of one another, which shall not want fomentation.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., v. 743.
| Fruit, on which mortals feeding, turn to gods: | |
| And dive in science for distinguish’d names, | |
| Dishonest fomentation of your pride! |
1861. Times, 29 Aug. The fomentation of Hungarian discontent by foreign intrigues.
b. A means of fomentation, an influence that foments, a stimulus.
a. 1631. Donne, Serm., viii. 79. They [our works] cleave to us; whether as Fomentations to nourish us or as Corrosives to gnaw upon us.
1659. C. Noble, Inexpediency of Exped., 5 Unless the … slie Redarguings … be a rise and fomentation to such a Dispute.
