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

CHANGING CLOTHING.

Before raising up a patient to put on a chemise or night dress, pull up the soiled one towards the neck, and as soon as the head and shoulders are raised, the soiled garment can be slipped off over the head and a clean one put on; then pull this down smoothly under the back before laying the patient down.

If two garments are worn one can be slipped inside the other, and they can be slipped on as one.

CHAPTER VI.
SURGICAL NURSING.

Before I dwell particularly upon surgical cases and wounds of all kinds, I will refer to some general duties of the nurse who attends during a surgical operation.

Generally the patient to be operated on should have a bath the previous night, and perhaps an enema on the morning of the operation; if the operation is on the female genital organs a warm douche should be given.

Prepare the room by having it well cleaned and aired and of a temperature of about 85°. Such things as are likely to be needed; for example, vaseline, carbolic acid, basins, sponges, towels, scissors, needles, pins, ice, hot and cold water, should be provided. If you have to make bandages, an old cotton sheet is good material from which to tear the strips. To join the strips lay two ends flat on each other overlapping for an inch, and baste together all four sides. A roller bandage may be from two to twelve yards long; it must be rolled as tightly as possible; the selvage and all loose threads must be trimmed off.

The proper cleaning and preparing of sponges is important. If one has been used it should be well washed and left in a solution of sal soda, and then kept for several days in a five per cent. solution of carbolic acid. New sponges should be prepared with twice as much care.

In a case where there is to be an operation upon the female genitals, a T bandage may be required; this should be put on before the ether is given, at least the part above the hips, the other part may be left free till after the operation, to be then brought between the thighs and attached to the other in front.

Only a little light food should be taken for three or four hours before etherization. Prepare the patient for going to the room by having her hair combed and braided, artificial teeth must be taken out, and all tight bands loosened. Arrange the clothing so that it will be protected, and so that it can be changed afterwards easily. See that she passes the urine the last thing before taking her place for the operation.