Tropical home nursing / by R.J. Blackham.

  • Robert J. Blackham
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tropical home nursing / by R.J. Blackham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    _ oa CONVALESCENCE, A nurse’s capabilities have the fullest scope during convalescence. The patient’s body and mind are exhaus- ted, and to restore them to strength and vigour constant foresight and care are required. The following points require special attention :— 1. Food. 2. Clothing. 3. Amusement of the patient. 4. Rest. 1, Food.—More food is required during convalescence from, acute diseases than in a state of health, as the body has not only to be kept at a particular weight, but has actually to increase in weight. At the same time the digestive system is weak, and so the food must be such as can be easily digested. Soups, milk, puddings, bread and butter, and similar light foods should be given every three or four hours, and indigestible foods should beentirely avoided. Itis important not to leave too long an interval between meals, as exhaustion so soon comes on: but at the same time, continued ‘‘nibbling’’ at food must not be allowed. JBeef-tea and meat extracts are not suffi- ciently nutritious to be of much use im convalescence. Remember that beef-tea is only a stimulant, not a food. Here is what Dr. Milner Fothergill says of it— - ‘‘ Beef-tea has an infinitesimal food value, though it is an excellent vehicle for what is really food—viz., biscuit powder, baked flour, or any of the numerous baked
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