A cooling assembly is provided for cooling selected parts of the body of a patient to treat hyperthermia or to induce mild hypothermia in the treatment of strokes. The assembly includes a self-contained cooling unit containing a water supply, a battery operated refrigeration unit and circulating pump. A cooling member is connected to the cooling unit and is adapted for receiving cooled water and contacting selected parts of the patient to cool the patient. The cooling member can be a vest, wrap, blanket, chair, hood or cap.