Mother, Nurse and Infant / A Manual Especially Adapted for the Guidance of Mothers and Monthly Nurses, Comprising Full Instruction in Regard To Pregnancy, Preparation for Child-birth, and the Care of Mother and Child, and Designed to Impart so Much Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Midwifery, and the Proper Use of Medicines as Will Serve Intelligently to Direct the Wife, Mother and Nurse in All Emergencies.

by S. P. Sackett

A hot foot bath is one of the best means of revulsion to relieve the head. Let the water come nearly to the knees, cover both the patient and tub with a blanket, keep the feet in the hot water for about twenty minutes.

If a HOT AIR BATH or a VAPOR BATH is given, some device should be used to keep the blankets from pressing upon the patient. Two half hoops may be tied together so that they answer the purpose. By the same means steam may be diffused around her, if hot bricks wrapped in wet flannel and put on dishes are placed in the bed beside her, or steam can be conducted from a boiling teakettle under the blankets. Or place the patient in a large cane seated chair, and surround both completely with blankets, letting them extend to the floor and be secured about the patient’s neck. Under the chair, place a basin of hot water with an alcohol lamp beneath it; bring the water to boiling, and the patient will soon be in a perspiration which may be carried to any extent.

For a BRAN BATH, boil two pounds of bran in a gallon of water and add to the bath.

For a SALT BATH, add one pound rock salt to every four gallons of water.

For a SULPHUR BATH, add twenty grains sulphuret of potassium to a gallon of water. Used for skin diseases and rheumatism.

In cases where there is a high fever, especially in children, the warm water bath is given to reduce the temperature. If a child that has a temperature of 104° is immersed in water heated only to 98° for fifteen or twenty minutes, it will part with some of its heat.

BATHING OF INFANTS.

The bath for very young infants should be quite warm—about 97°. Some nurses ascertain if it is an agreeable warmth by dipping an elbow in the water. The temperature may from week to week be lowered gradually to 85° or 80°. Two baths a day may be given. The evening bath should be warmer than the morning. A brisk, gentle rubbing after the bath is beneficial. If a child gets blue and shivers the bath is too cold. The warm bath will often serve to put a restless and feverish child to sleep.

To bathe an infant support its head on your hand and arm, dip the baby into the bath; then rub the whole surface of the skin rapidly with a soft sponge or piece of flannel soaped; next again immerse the body in the water, then quickly and thoroughly dry with a fine warm towel.

Before giving a bath have every thing likely to be needed at hand, and the room warm.