The doctor at home and nurse's guidebook / edited by George Black.

Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The doctor at home and nurse's guidebook / edited by George Black. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    nervous system and to promote sleep. This sponging must not be undertaken unless by the advice of the medical attendant. Spong- ing of the chest and trunk is most valuable in those who have a tendency to asthma or other chest affections, in infants during denti- tion and in those who are rather delicate. It may be performed while the patient is in bed and brisk friction should be afterwards em- ployed so as to cause a glow upon the surface. When salt and water or vinegar and water are used instead, the friction need not be had recourse to, as we wish merely to remove the water, which can be accomplished by soaking it up with a soft towel. The proportion of either salt or vinegar to be em- ployed should be about four table- spoonfuls to every pint of water. These spongings should be used just before the patient leaves bed in the morning, and may be em- ployed during winter as well as during summer. In conjunction with open-air exercise and proper attention to diet, this proves a valuable remedy. BATH, SPONGE, IN BED When a sponge bath is given in bed, the chief things to care for are that the bed be protected with a rubber-cloth and draw sheet ; that the patient’s arms are slipped out of his sleeves and that a dry night- shirt is always put on after the bath. Take up as little water as possible, but return the cloth to the basin frequently and change the water three times at least during the bath, having a jug and slop-jar by the bed for the purpose. Everything needed must be at hand before the bath begins. Wash and dry only a part of the body at a time. Dry with soft towels in quick, gentle strokes, enveloping the part in the towel as soon as it is washed, so avoiding exposure, BATH, TEPID Tepid baths are used to promote perspiration and increase the action of the skin when the latter is hot and dry. It is necessary when these baths are employed to main- tain the temperature of the water uniform throughout and, in order to ensure this, the water should be tested from time to time with the ther- mometer and hot water added when necessary. The period of immer- sion varies from a quarter of an hour to half an hour. These baths are of great Service in the diseases of children. If the child is too feeble to sit erect, a sheet may be spread from one side of the bath to the other and the child lowered to the necessary depth. BATH, VAPOUR The vapour bath is very useful in promoting perspiration and is employed as follows : the patient being seated on a chair, a bucket or jar filled with boiling water is placed at his side and the whole enveloped in a blanket. Friction may be employed, if necessary, while the patient is in the bath. The simplest way of giving a vapour bath is to undress the patient, put a thin flannel or woollen cloth about him, seat him in an arm-chair, stand by his side a pail of boiling water, into which, as it cools, you put bricks made very hot and cover the patient, chair and pail with a large blanket, fastened securely at the neck. The steam will soon produce the perspiration required. The greatest care will be necessary to see that the bed, bed-clothes, towels and night-shirt are made hot before the patient uses any of
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