foot bath, doing forgotten things, getting herself chilled, and losing all the good effects.

A foot bath may be given easily to a patient in bed. Bring to the bedside a blanket, a towel, the tub filled with water, and something with which to protect the bed; this may be a rubber sheet, bath towel, old blanket folded, or several thick clean newspapers. Loosen the upper covers at the foot of the bed, fold them back above the patient's knees, and cover her legs and feet with the extra blanket making it overlap the bed clothing so that it will not slip. Flex the patient's knees, put the bed protector under her feet, place the tub on the side of the bed, raise the legs and feet with one hand and arm, and slide the tub into place with the other, raising the elbow in such a way that it keeps the blanket out of the water. Lower the feet slowly into the water, fold the towel, and place it over the edge of the tub in order to protect the patient's knees from the cold rim; then tuck the blanket closely about the tub and legs and proceed as before. After the bath use the towel, unless it is wet, to receive the feet when they are withdrawn from the tub. Remove the tub, dry the feet thoroughly, cover them warmly, and remake the bed.

Cool Sponge Bath.

—For feverish patients doctors often order cool sponge baths. In order

to give a cool sponge bath, first protect the bed thoroughly, but leave the patient uncovered except for a towel laid over the hips. Use cool water, or cool water and alcohol, and have the wash cloth as wet as it can be without dripping. Bathe the body without friction, using long, light strokes, and leave each part wet until the bath has been completed. Do not use soap. Sponge in this way the arms, legs, chest, and back, but not the abdomen, for ten to twenty minutes, giving special attention to the neck and inner side of the arms and legs, because in those places large blood vessels lie nearer the surface of the body. After finishing the bath dry the body by patting it gently with towels.

Take the patient's pulse occasionally during the bath, and stop the bath at once if the patient's pulse grows weaker, if she shivers violently, or if her face, fingers, or toes turn a bluish color. Babies react rapidly to cool sponging; for a baby use tepid water, sponge for five minutes only, and watch the child closely during the bath.

EXERCISES

  1. What may a bath be expected to accomplish in addition to cleansing?
  2. In giving a tub bath, what precautions should be taken to avoid chilling the patient? to avoid tiring the patient?
  3. What symptoms would lead you to think that a tub bath was not agreeing with a patient? What should you do in such a case?
  4. Name six essentials of a skillfully given bed bath.
  5. What preparations should be made and what articles assembled before beginning a bed bath?
  6. Describe the method of bathing a patient in bed.
  7. What care should the mouth and teeth of every sick person receive? How should such care be given to a patient who is helpless?
  8. Describe the daily care of a patient's hair, and tell how a shampoo may be given to a patient in bed.
  9. How should you give a mustard foot bath to a patient in bed?
  10. When and how should you give a cool sponge bath?

FOR FURTHER READING