1 nail file.
Nurse’s outfit consists of the following: Nail file, surgical scissors, catheter (silver is best), hypodermic syringe with tablets of morphine, strychnine, and digitalis; two fever thermometers, one for mouth and one for rectum; a pair of tissue forceps and a razor.
Some time before the labor, the nurse should call on the patient and establish a working acquaintance. It adds greatly to her authority and to the patient’s confidence in her. Her advice will be sought on a multitude of subjects, partly real and partly to try her out.
Fig. 31.—Abdominal binder with crosspiece to hold vulvar pads.
Fig. 32.—T-binder, used in all cases after the fifth day post partum.
Sterilizing may be done in a hospital, or, if this is not feasible, the nurse should go to the house two or three weeks before the expected labor and sterilize in an Arnold or Rochester sterilizer the following articles:
½ doz. sheets.
3 doz. towels.