After you apply some wrapping around wet plaster, you might notice that the patient’s limb feels warm.

Is this simply a product of insulation?

No, it’s not just this reason.

It’s primarily because plaster and water form an exothermic reaction, so heat is released.

People can be burned by this!

References

1. Burghardt, R. D., Anderson, J. G., Reed, R. A., & Herzenberg, J. E. (2014). Exothermic properties of plaster–synthetic composite casts. Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics, 8(2), 193-201. doi:10.1007/s11832-014-0563-6