Handbook for the instruction of attendants on the insane / prepared by a Sub-committee of the Medico-Psychological Association appointed at a branch meeting held in Glasgow on the 21st February, 1884.
- Date:
- 1885
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Handbook for the instruction of attendants on the insane / prepared by a Sub-committee of the Medico-Psychological Association appointed at a branch meeting held in Glasgow on the 21st February, 1884. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.
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![^TttendTng' Management of the Bodily Condiiioii. Among the insane, just carefully to umong tlic sauc, the mental condition is very largely affected *'heaito^ by the state of the body, by its well-being and comfort or by its derangement and discomfort; and everything that tends to pro- mote the bodily welfare has a direct and beneficial influence in promoting the mental health. Hence in all cases, and more especi- ally in those in which the mental condition is such that the Patient cannot take proper care of himself, everything possible should be done by the Attendant or nurse, under the direction of the Doctor, to preserve the bodily health,—to improve it if necessary, and to keep it up to a proper standard. In studying the bodily functions (first section of the Handbook) we saw the necessity of good ventilation, cleanliness, warmth, sufficient clothing, good and sufficient food, regular open-air exercise, undisturbed sleep, &c., for the proper discharge of these functions ; and it is necessary to attend to all these matters in the interest of our Patients. The Attendant should keep the day-rooms and the sleeping-rooms scrupulously clean, tidy, well-ventilated, and sufficiently warm ; he should have the bed-clothing thoroughly aired at proper times, and kept clean and dry ; and he should see that the Patient wears clothing suitable and sufficient for the season of the year. Clean- liness, both of person and of clothing, is absolutely essential. The Attendant should be very particular in seeing that the instructions of the Doctor as to the amount of exercise or work to be done by the Patient, the taking of medicines, and any other details of treatment, are accurately and punctually carried out. Sufficient time should be allowed for the taking of food; there should be no undue haste in removing the dishes; and the Attendant should see that each Patient takes his food in sufficient quantity and in a proper way, duly masticating it. Attention to the bowels is necessary ] and this is especially important in cases of Epilepsy and General Paralysis, for in them derangement of the bowels is often the cause of an increase in the number and severity of the fits, or brings on the congestive attacks. During the night all noise or other source of disturbance should, as far as possible, be prevented in the sleeping-rooms. All the The various conditions which bear upon tha bodily health have been already fully indicated in previous pages of the Handbook; and it is therefore unnecessary to enlarge further upon them here. In the second section of the Handbook instructions are given for Insane are patients.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21444729_0054.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
