560. A patient, after delivery, usually feels shivering and starved; it will therefore be necessary to throw additional clothing, such as a blanket or two, over her, which ought to envelop the body, and should be well tucked around her; but the nurse ought to be careful not to overload her with clothes, or it might produce flooding, fainting, etc.; as soon, therefore, as she is warmer, let the extra clothing be gradually removed. If the feet be cold, let them be wrapped in a warm flannel petticoat, over which a pillow should be placed.
561. A frequent change of linen after confinement is desirable. Nothing is more conducive to health than cleanliness. Great care should be taken to have the sheets and linen well aired.
REFRESHMENT.
562. A cup of cool, black tea, directly after a patient is confined, ought to be given. I say cool, not cold, as cold tea might chill her. Hot tea would be improper, as it might induce flooding.
563. As soon as she is settled in bed, there is nothing better than a small basin of warm gruel.
564. Brandy ought never, unless ordered by the medical man, to be given after a confinement. Warm beer is also objectionable; indeed, stimulants of all kinds must, unless advised by the doctor, be carefully avoided, as they would only produce fever, and probably inflammation. Caudle is now seldom given; but still, some old-fashioned people are fond of recommending it after a labor. Caudle ought to be banished the lying-in room; it caused in former times the death of thousands.
BANDAGE AFTER A CONFINEMENT.
565. (1) This consists of thick linen, similar to sheeting, about a yard and a half long, and sufficiently broad to comfortably support the belly. It ought to be put on moderately tight; and should be retightened every night and morning, or oftener, if it become slack. (2) Salmon’s Obstetric Binder is admirably adapted to give support after a confinement, and may be obtained of any respectable surgical-instrument-maker.
566. If there be not either a proper bandage or binder at hand—(3) a yard and a half of unbleached calico, folded double, will answer the purpose. The best pins to fasten the bandages are the patent safety nursery-pins. The binder requires no pins.
567. A support to the belly after labor is important: in the first place, it is a great comfort; in the second, it induces the belly to return to its original size; and lastly, it prevents flooding. Those ladies, more especially if they have had large families, who have neglected proper bandaging after their confinements, frequently suffer from enlarged and pendulous bellies, which give them an unwieldy and ungainly appearance.