[NURSING DEPARTMENT 641]
Turpentine enemata for distention may be given according to the following formula:
Mucilage of Acacia 1/2 ounce
Spirits of Turpentine 10 drops
This should be administered high up in the bowel.
Astringent Enemata. To check diarrhea.—They should be given slowly and injected high up, and they should be retained as long as possible.
Starch and Laudanum.—Boil the starch as if to be used in the laundry and dilute with luke-warm water, until it is thin enough to pass through a tube. Take of this three ounces. This can be given alone in mild cases; but if there is much pain and straining add ten to fifteen drops of laudanum to the starch water or thirty to forty drops of paregoric. This dose is for an adult.
Stimulating Enemata. 1. Black coffee.—One-half to one pint of strong coffee, injected as hot as possible. It should be strained before using. This is frequently given in poison cases.
2. Salt Enemata.—Two teaspoonfuls to one quart of hot water is mildly stimulating; one-half to one ounce of brandy or whisky may be added.
DOUCHES.—By this term is generally meant a jet of fluid directed with a certain amount of force upon a limited external or internal surface, for cleansing, stimulating purposes and to relieve inflammation. Three common douches are the ear (aural), the vaginal and the rectal.
The Vaginal Douche. For cleansing.—A one per cent solution of carbolic acid is often used in one to three quarts of water.