UNTIMELY WASHING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26693, 12 February 1948, Page 2

UNTIMELY WASHING

Sir, —Your collection of comments in Monday’s “ Forum ” was interesting, but all those who were interviewed seem to have misunderstood Bernard Shaw’s statement: “Hospital nurses kill most of their patients by untimely washing.” The elderly gentleman was not talking of the time of day (or night) for ablutions, and it is grieving to know that there is a very great deal of truth in his assertion. Hearsay is not always reliable, and general knowledge is not convincing, so I will quote three specific cases: (1) I was a hospital patient in a special ward recovering from an operation. The sister and nurses were kindly persons, but what filled me with apprehension was the opening of the window at critical times when the bodily resistance was at a low ebb after the operation. Fortunately, I got away with it. (2) My wife was in hospital; the sister in charge was the very essence of kindness, but at the time oi the daily ablution she could not restrain herself from the recognised procedure of opening the window. My wife’s resistance was at zero; she went down with pneumonia and nearly lost her life. Urgent medical help and skill alone saved her. (3) My daughter was in hospital only five days; following a weakening operation, the nurse opened the window at the time of ablutions. My daughter immediately contracted pneumonia, and in less than 24 hours was dead. It is these “ untimely washings ” following operations, and when the patient’s resistance is very low, and the thoughtless opening of windows at critical times, or leaving a patient insufficiently covered, that bring on pneumonia, so often with fatal results. The matron gives her version to the doctor, and he has no alternative but to accept it—the fact is, he does not get to know the real cause of the pneumonia. I am a firm believer in fresh air and plenty of it, and no coddling, but “ untimely ” is the word, and “ kill ” is the result—honours to Mr Shaw. If this letter should be the means of saving precious lives, it will be worth the space, Sir, which you accord it.—l am, etc., A Layman.