Fractures of the neck of the femur / by H.O. Thomas.

  • Hugh Owen Thomas
Date:
[1884?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fractures of the neck of the femur / by H.O. Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/26 (page 13)
    supports the sacrum, and a tliird grasps the top ring of the saddle opposite the sternum and carries the trunk portion of the patient, who is now placed in bed—which should be a feather one or made of some material that does not form a very hard mattress. After this the person who is to nurse the patient is shown how to use the bed-pan when required, so that the patient may not be much pained nor further injured. When there is occasion for the use of the utensil, the mode of a.ssisting the patient is thus the attendant stands by the bed- side and, passing an arm under the lower end of the hip- appliance and a corresponding part of the sound limb, raises the lower extremities and pelvis of the sufferer to any height that permits of the bed-pan being slipped under. This position, which is that of an incline from the feet to the head, if in any way advantageous, can be easily main- tained until the act of nature is complete. After prac- tically demonstrating this to the attendant, I give some instructions relative to the quality of food to be used, and that the patient must be inspected occasionally to avoid bed-sores; further, should the linen under the patient become moistened or stained by excretions, that any such offense can be removed by the method used to pass the bed pan under the patient. The same plan can also be resorted to when dressing any bed-sores that should form. The parts where bed-sores are prone to appear are over the sacrum and at the upper ring of the saddle; if they appear at the latter part, then they can be dressed by rolling the patient over on to the