The Home.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 March 1896, Page 7

The Home.

TYPHOID FEVER. BY A. W. On the first symptoms the patient should be packed in hot, soapy blankets. For an adult two blankets tolerably thick are necessary. The method to be pursued is as follows : \\ ring the blanket, folded in two, out of boiling water in which soap has been boiled. In this, as hot as it can be borne, the patient should be wrapped. Over it wrap dry blankets to keep in the heat One hot soapy blanket will be required for the upper portion of the body and one for the lower. If one part of the blanket cools rapidly have ready a water bag filled with boiling water and apply it between the blankets to the place where the heat is wanted. It may be changed as occasion demands to any part which may have become cool. After the patient has well perspired the body should be sponged with vinegar and water. The blanket should be removed gradually and deftly, so that in the sponging of the body only a small surface should be exposed at a time. Another plan to adopt if the soapy blanket is not easily available, is to give the patient a steam bath, directions for which have already appeared in this paper. After the steam bath the body should be cooled by means of the cold sitz bath. The patient’s feet, while in the sitz bath, should be placed in a basin of warm water. The whole body should be well laved with the cold water for the space of ten minutes, or more if agreeable.

While in the steam bath it may be necessary to apply cold clothes to the head if there is pain in the head, and to the heart if there is palpitation. The patient should then be placed in bed and gently rubbed if there is any sense of cold. When the fever runs up again, as it probably will in a few hours, apply cold towels, wrung out of vinegar and water, to the spine the abdomen, the neck and chest, and the head. Of course the bed must be protected by sheets or large towels from becoming wet. Any clever, loving nurse can manage that quite easily. As fast as one towel grows heated change it for another cold one. It means hard work for about an hour, but if the disease is persistent the nurse must be pefsistent, and we will back the nurse. At the same time the feet must be kept warm. This may be effected by covering a damp flannel over a hot-water bag or bottle. Frequently, after the application of the wet cloths, and a cold bandage has been placed over the eyes, sleep ensues. Let nothing, if the patient feel inclined to sleep, prevent the realisation of this blessing. If, again, the fever reiurns, boil some barilla soap in water, and place the patient in a warm bath to which the soapy water has been added. While in the bath sponge and lave the patient unremittingly. After leaving the warm soapy bath, the body should be sponged with tepid vinegar and water. In sponging only one part of the body should be exposed at a time. If there is great pain in the head, the following plan is exceedingly effective in giving relief. Well soap the head with barilla soap, and wash it in as hot water as can be borne; repeat the operation again and again. Then have ready a can of warm water and a can of cold, and pour alternately over the head from each can. Then sponge the head with vinegar and water, and finally gently rub with rough towels till the bead is dry. At intervals sips of water containing acetic acid (about a tea-spoonful of acid tQ a tea-cupful of water) should be given. No food is needed till the patient feels inclined for it. A warm injection of about a pint or a pint and a half of water should be likewise given to relieve and cleanse the bowels. Probably recourse to these methods will be necessary for a few days; for the rest the patient needs but rest and quiet to recuperate.