The SPONGE BATH or washing can be done partly under the bed clothes, and but a small part of the body need to be exposed at a time. Do not bathe immediately after a meal.
Always have a bath of the temperature directed by the doctor. The following terms are used to indicate different temperatures:
| BATH. | WATER. | VAPOR. | AIR. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold, | 32° to 65° Fahr. | ||
| Cool, | 65 to 75 | ||
| Temperate, | 75 to 85 | ||
| Tepid, | 85 to 92 | 90° to 100° | 96° to 106° |
| Warm, | 92 to 98 | 100 to 115 | 106 to 120 |
| Hot, | 98 to 112 | 115 to 140 | 120 to 180 |
To put a feeble patient in a bath wrap her in a sheet and lower her gently down in it. When she is taken out wrap her in a warm dry sheet and over this fold a blanket. After a few minutes’ rest and a little wiping with a soft dry towel the clothes may be put on.
Do not give a cold bath when the patient feels chilly, when there is perspiration, or there is inflammation or congestion of an internal organ.
The temperature of the body may be lessened by means of the wet pack in cold water, or by means of a sheet wrung out of cold water wrapped around the patient, and changed every ten or fifteen minutes, or by applying towels from the neck downwards, wrung out of cold water.
For the wet pack the sheet may be wrung out of either hot or cold water. Spread a comforter and two blankets on the bed and over these a sheet wrung out of the water. Remove all the patient’s clothing, lay her in the middle of the sheet, then draw over one side after another of the blankets and comforter, wrapping her from the neck to ankles; apply something to the feet to keep them warm, give plenty of drink, and put a wet compress on the forehead. If this is intended to induce perspiration or repose, the patient may remain in the pack two or three hours.
A BLANKET BATH is used as a means of sweating. A blanket is wrung out of hot water and wrapped around the patient. She is to be packed in three or four dry blankets and allowed to rest quietly for thirty minutes. Then the surface of the body must be well rubbed with warm towels, and the patient made comfortable in bed.
Cold or tepid sponging is sometimes directed when there is a fever. Commence at the head and sponge downwards, then wrap in a blanket and leave her undisturbed for an hour or more.
The effect of the HOT BATH if long continued is to induce languor and weakness. Watch by the patient while she is in the water, and take her out if there is any sign of fainting. Do not give a hot bath during a menstrual period.