Volume 1

The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others].

Date:: 1908-1909

Credit: The standard physician : a new and practical encyclopaedia of medicine and hygiene especially prepared for the household / edited by Sir James Crichton-Browne [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

342/430 (page 316)

$Chlldblrih Chloroform Till’: STANDARD PHVSK'IAN cleaning in all corners, and to hang new curtains. The lloors shoiikl be scraped and washed with chloride of lime. A large sn])])lv of body-linen, bed-linen, and towels shonld be kc])t in an accessible and dry place ; and the nurse or midwife shonld be shown in good time the arrangement of the room and the wardrobes. In addition to general bodily hygiene, mental rest is essential to the ])atient during jn'egnancy and childbirth, as well as during conhnement and throughout the entire period of nursing. Sudden excitement may cause severe luemorrhages and permanent, relaxation of the })elvic organs, in conse- (jiience of disturbances in the circulation of the blood. The same applies to bodily and mental exertions. The pro])er time for the patient to get up depends upon her pulse and temperature, as well as upon the character of the lochial discharge (whether bloody or otherwise), and upon her general condition. In all cases the family-physician should decide, as in this wav threatening accidents (as thrombosis, etc.) may be guarded against. It is not as burdensome for the patient to take mild exercise as it is to assume the full control of the household ; and at least two weeks should elapse ])efore taking up these duties. Women who cannot get the necessary care and attention in their homes ought to go to a Iving-in hospital. CHILDBIRTH.—See Parturition. CHILDLESSNESS.—See Sterility. CHILDREN, CARE OF.—See Health-Care of Children. CHILLS.—See Malaria. CHLORAL.—A compound drug which occurs in whitish or colourless transparent masses or in little crystals. It is volatile, cpiite soluble, and lias a burning taste. It should be kept in a dark ]:)lace, tightly corked. It is one of the commonest hypnotics, or sleep-producers. Locally, it acts as a powerful irritant. \Mien taken internally it depresses all the func- tions of the body, acting perhaps most powerfully on the nervous system, but also depressing the heart and breathing-apparatus. In moderate doses the only effect usually seen is what appears to be a dee}), normal sleep from which the ])atient can be aroused. After a })oisonous dose the sleep is deeper, and may })ass into profound unconsciousness. The })U])il of the eye becomes dilated ; the breathing is shallow and slow ; the ])ulse is rapid and irregular, or may disap})ear altogether ; the body is absolutely relaxed ; and the skin is pale and clammy. In case of an over-dose, a doctor should be summoned at once. Wdiile waiting for his arrival, the patient should be made to vomit, if })ossible, by administering large draughts of warm salt water or a couple of tables})oonfuls of mustard in a glass of water, hie should be wrapped up warmly in bed with the feet higher than the head, and kept awake if })ossible. The habitual taking of the drug may cause mental and ])hvsical weakness, ])al})itation of the heart, shortness of breath, or skin eru})tions. (diloral is used for any form of sleeplessness not due$