Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore safer and effective usage of hot-water bottles filled with various temperature of water (60 and 80℃).
To do this, we measured the change over time of temperature in the bed. Specifically we measured quantity of thermal insulation ; range of thermal insulation ; when a comfortable temperature was reached and its duration. In bottles filled with water whose temperature was 60 and 80 ℃, the temperature in the bed increased rapidly for 10 minutes from the start of the experiment. After that it decreased slowly.
Results indicated that the temperature in the bed decreased with distance from the circumference of the hot-water bottle, as did the quantity of thermal insulation. In addition, a comfortable bed temperature (32 -34℃) was obtained by putting a hot-water bottle of 60 ℃ for 20minutes at a position of 5cm from the soles of the feet. The comfortable temperature continued for approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. With a 60℃ hot-water bottle the surface temperature of the bottle rose to a maximum of 44.5℃ and continued above 43℃ for 110 minutes, so we thought there was a risk of a low temperature scald. It is important to consider changes in bed temperature to explore safer usage of hot-water bottles.
