Hygienic Treatment of Typhoid Fever.

White Ribbon, Volume 8, Issue 96, 1 May 1903, Page 11

Hygienic Treatment of Typhoid Fever.

Dk. Elmer Lee, who did good service during the cholera epidemic in Europe in 1892 in treating cases by cleaning the bowels with soap and water and then disinfecting them, has been experimenting with several hundred cases in the treatment of typhoid fever by a similar method. Without waiting for the development of all the features of the disease, as is often done,

he first makes the bowels clean by drenching them with a copious douche of soapy water made to pass into and out ot the low r er l>owel until all contents are cleared away and the returning fluid is as clear as it entered. The temperature of the water used for the injections should depend on the temperature of the patient. If he is chilly, water of about 100 degrees is preferable. If highly feverish, then as low’ as 75 degrees may be used. This cleansing process is very comforting to the patient. During the first week of the disease the bowels should be washed out morning and evening ; after this, once a day is sufficient It is important that the water go past the rectum and deluge the colon. External bathing should be used to keep down the heat and also to cleanse the skin and open its pores.— Good Health.