footbath

noun

1. The act of soaking or washing the feet.

   “Besides the above auxiliaries, our author occasionally recommends topical bleeding, exercise, friction, footbaths, &c.”

   “[…] I [William Cowper] have been constant in the use of a hot foot[-]bath every night, the last thing before going to rest.”

   “Apply eight leeches to the top of the sternum and use a foot bath at bed time and repeat the castor oil on the following morning.”

   “The foot-baths are very useful in all cases where vigorous and cold remedies cannot well be used on account of weakness, fragility, want of vital warmth, etc.; as little or no reaction takes place, i. e. the cold water cannot produce sufficient warmth for want of blood.”

   “Foot baths aren't just for tired, achy feet. Alternating hot and cold soaks is great for relieving swelling in the feet and legs. By diverting blood away from the affected areas, hot foot baths are used to relieve head and chest congestion and even menstrual cramps.”

2. A small basin or bath designed for soaking or washing the feet.

   “[T]he portion [of the nail] which projects beyond the fingers or toes should be excised, so that it may not prevent the motions of the hands or feet. If the nail has no very considerable thickness, this may be done wit a pair of strong scissors, after it has been softened by the employment of the footbath.”

   “A footbath is a handy tool to help you practice backyard biosecurity. […] Ask visitors to walk through the footbath, wiping their feet on the mat. The mat scrubs their shoes a bit as they wipe them and applies the disinfectant.”

3. A liquid mixture, often medicinal, for soaking or washing the feet with.

   “Rosemary essential oil can be used alone or in combination with thyme oil and sage tea in a deodorizing footbath that also helps relieve aching feet.”

   “A 5 per cent formalin foot-bath is often recommended for the control or prevention of foul-in-the-foot, but it is important not to exceed that strength or to put the cows through it too often.”