Abstract: A medical compress for hot or warm moist heat treatment. The compress is a multi-layered structure having a body of absorbent material sandwiched between a porous, liquid permeable layer and a liquid impermeable, heat-retentive layer, and a plurality of adhesive tabs disposed about the periphery of the compress. The heat-retentive layer maintains the compress at a desired temperature for the period of a treatment cycle. The compress is preferably biodegradable and microwavable to eliminate the bulky equipment now used in hydroculator therapy.