Poultices.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 867, 12 October 1888, Page 5

Poultices.

On taking up private nursing, the Hospital says, many a hospital nurse has been surprised to learn that the ordinary method of poultice-making does not please all doctors. For instance, Dr Lauder Brunton always instructs his nurses who have charge of medical oases to make linseed-meal poultices iu the following way : Make a flannel bag 12 inches long by eight wide, open at one end with a flap to turn over. Fir a tape at each of the four corners. Mix your liuseed very moistly, pour it into the bag, sew down the flap, wrap it in another piece of flannel, apply, and keep in position by tapes. Other doctors have a fancy for poultices clad in muslin, and some stick fast to the familiar tow all through their private practice. But, -at least, it is wise for a nurse, when she has charge of a private case, and is ordered to apply a poultice, to ask what method the doctor favours. Many nurses think it beneath them to inquire about sueh a simple thiDg as a poultice, and henoe often have the annoyance of having their handiwork severely criticised by the doctor.