Instructions for Operation and Care of Dickson Paraffin Baths
WHITEHALL MANUFACTURING
• P.O. BOX 3527 • City of Industry, CA 91744-0527 U.S.A
Phone (800) 782-7706 • (626) 968-6681 • Fax (626) 855-4862 • Web: www.whitehallmfg.com
7
DIRECTIONS FOR ADJUSTING
THE MAINTENANCE OR TREATMENT
CIRCUIT THERMOSTAT
ON MODELS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS
9809 AND HIGHER
Remove the four screws holding the name plate and timer
switch with a small screwdriver on units PB-104 and
PB-105. For units PB-101 and PB-107 Thermostat
adjustment is located in the rear of unit.
To lower the operating temperature, turn the adjusting
screw
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE
– about 5 minutes on a
clock dial for a 6°F (3.3°C) change. Since the bath cools
very slowly, about 1°F (0.55°C) in 10 minutes, allow plenty
of time for the temperature to settle to the desired point
before further adjustment.
To raise the operating temperature, turn the adjusting
screw
CLOCKWISE
.
Because these thermostats are in continuous operation,
much like an automobile going uphill, they do occasionally
malfunction. In such an event, please call for replacement
instructions.
DIRECTIONS FOR TREATMENT
The appendage to be treated should first be thoroughly
washed with a antimicrobial soap and dried. The
appendage should then be placed in the bath and quickly
removed so a thin coat of paraffin congeals and adheres to
the skin. This procedure should be repeated until a “glove”
of paraffin is of sufficient thickness to allow the patient to
keep the member immersed in comfort.
After this glove is formed, the member should be constantly
immersed in the bath for 10 to 20 minutes or longer.
The glove of adhering paraffin should then be removed,
discarded and massage and re-education of the member
instituted.
The skin remains soft, pliable and moist when this
treatment is used and a characteristic hyperemia results
which is not obtainable in any other way.
Continuous immersion is the recommended procedure
for the fastest relief. For new patients, it is suggested the
following times be considered:
10 minutes for fingers
10 to 15 minutes for hands
15 to 30 minutes for arms
30 to 45 minutes for the feet
Because of the high heat input of the paraffin, the bath must
be used judiciously in treating old, weak or debilitated
individuals. If circulatory and sensory changes are present,
the application of paraffin should be made cautiously.
For such patients, we suggest the glove be allowed to build
up and the member removed from the bath until the paraffin
is cool. The member in the paraffin glove then should be
again immersed for as long as possible.
Also, when there is insufficient time to allow the member to
soak, a thick glove should be developed on the member
and the glove wrapped in “Saran Wrap” or an equivalent to
obtain the longest possible benefit from the heat.
For some patients, particularly those younger and in good
health, a higher bath temperature can be used. For these
patients it is suggested that the bath temperature be raised
to 130° or 135°F (54.4° or 57.2°C)
Many operators of paraffin baths, in an effort to keep the
bath as clean as possible, are now discarding the paraffin
gloves after use rather than returning them to the bath. This
practice has been facilitated by the advent of DICKSON
Refill Kits, which economically provide small blocks of
paraffin, which can be used to maintain the bath level.