Care should be taken that the surface of the steaming water is not too near the seat of the chair, as the patient would be scalded if the stream was directed immediately upon a limited portion of the body. Indeed, fatal results have occurred through carelessness on this point.
THE HOT FOOT-BATH.- Immediately before retiring to bed the patient should be undressed, but well covered with one or two blankets, which should also cover the foot-bath, so that the steam may have access to the body generally; the feet and part of the legs should then be put in hot water (98 degree F.), and the temperature afterwards increased by fresh additions of hot water for ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes, according to the strength of the patient, and until free perspiration breaks out on the face. He should then be rapidly washed with tepid water, rubbed dry, got into bed, and well covered with clothes. Perspiration should be further encourages by drinking cold water. On rising in the morning, if sufficiently recovered, he should take a cold plunge or shower-bath, or quickly sponge over the whole surface of the body, after which he should be vigorously dried by a large bath sheet. This local warm bath is used for a variety of purposes, and if adopted early, and carried out according to the foregoing directions, with promote general perspiration, and arrest or relieve Catarrh, Fever, etc., in the incipient stage.
The hot foot-bath, or the hot sitz-both, is also useful in sudden suppression of the menses during the flow, from exposure to cold or wet; it relieves the distressing sensations to the patient, and aids the return of the function. Headaches, palpitation, the hysteric sensation of choking, piles, etc., are likewise removed or relieved by a local warm bath. -of choking, piles. etc., are likewise removed or relieved by a local warm bath.
THE BLANKET BATH-This is an easy method of inducing perspiration. A blanket is wrung out of hot water, and wrapped round the patient. He is then packed in three or four dry blankets, and allowed to repose for thirty minute the coverings may then be taken off, the surface of the body rubbed with warm towels, and the patient made comfortable in bed (Tanner).
COLD SITZ-BATHS-these are useful in some cases of?A Amenorrhoea. The patient should sit for give to fifteen minute sat bedtime in a hip-bath, with water at fifteen minutes at bed times in a hip-bath, with water at fifteen minutes at bedtime in a hip-bath, with water at 58 degree to 60 degree, the legs and feet kept quite warm, and the shoulders well covered. After the bath she should be rubbed till warm and then retire to bed; with a foot warmer, if chilly. In appropriate cases the bath may be taken every night for a week or two.
THE WET-PACK- A mackintosh sheet, or thin oil cloth, or shout blanket or quilt, should be spread on a mattress, and over it a thick linen sheet, well wrung out mattress, and over it a thick linen sheet, well wrung out of cold water. In fevers, the colder the water is, the betters die delicate persons with feeble reaction, water at 68 degree may be used. The patient is to be extended on his back naked on the wet sheet, so that the upper edge covers the back of the neck, but the lower one is to project beyond the feet; holding up the arms, one side in.; the arms are now placed by the sides and the other pat of the wet sheet is thrown over all, and tucked rather tightly, in, turning in the projecting ends under the feet. the mackintosh or blanket is then to be brought over all the sheet, and well touched in around the neck, at the sides and over all the sheet, and well touched in around the neck, at the sides and over the feet, so as completely to exclude the air. A stout quilt of extra blanket is to be put over all. In a short time the patient will become warm; the sensation is most agreeable especially in fevers. The patient may remain in the pack for thirty, forty-five, or sixty minute, s the duration being regulated by the effects produced. The patient should then be pout into a shallow bath at 64 degree, well-washed, dried, and put to bed. It may be repeated once, twice, or thrice a day, according to circumstances and the violence of the attack. Perspiration may be encouraged by giving sips of cold water. if the head become congested, or the face flushed while in the pack a cold compress should be applied over the forehead for a few minute. By attention to the above directions, almost any person can carry out the treatment. the pack promote the removal of excess of heat by largely augmenting the exhalent action of the skin; at the same time a large among of heat is removed by the evaporation of the water in. the sheet. There is no danger of internal mischief arising, for the tendency of the pack is to divert the circulation a from the central organs, and to maintain it in vigor on the extensive surface of the body. The wet-pack is in valuable in the early stage of all fevers; and in Scarlatina Measles, Small-pox, etc., it assistants in bringing out the eruption. Of late years Enteric fever has been treated largely with the use of tepid baths (repeated every three hours, if the temperature is high) of a heat of from 80 degree to 90 degree F. If this treatment is of the medical man. the wet back or cold sponging of are sometimes substituted for the baths.
For suggestions on bathing as a hygienic measures, see Part I., Secale II.
27-Glycerin.
(Chiefly from Ringer’s Therapeutics)
Glycerine, or Glycerine of starch see Formulae, Part V.) is of great use as an external application, when the lips or hands are chapped, or when the skin is left rough and inelastic, as after Eczema and other skin complaints, It quickly gives supplements to the tissues, and removes burning, tingling or smarting. Glycerine should be mixed with an equal quantity of water, or, still better, of eau-de-Colongene, as without such dilution smarting may be set up, or even inflammation of the tissues. The glycerin of starch may also be used in Xeroderma to make the skin soft and supple. A bath should also be taken each day, and the application made after the body is wiped thoroughly dry. Glycerine is a good application to the meatus of the ear, when the tissues are dry.
In the last state of chronic disease, as Phthisis, the tongue and inside of the cheek become dry, red, and glazed, often with great thirst. These discomforts may be lessened or removed by washing them out with glycerine and water. If used alone, glycerin is liable to make the mouth clammy. If thrush have attacked the mucous member in. the above-mention disease, it may be removed by he employment of glycerine.
Glycerine and carbolic acid may be applied with advantage to foetid sores such as open cancer, weather on the surface of the body or in the uterus. It removes the offensive smell of the discharge and also improves the condition of the sore.
Glycerine and borax form a good application to Pityriasis of the scalp.
Glycerine, or Glycerine cream, is one of the best preventives of bed-sores. The part exposed to pressure should, if possible, be washed every morning and evening with tepid water, and carefully wiped quite dry with a soft towel, and when a little glycerine, or glycerine cream, rubbed gently over the apart with the hand.
If the art be al all sore or tenders the later if best. Glycerine should be used before any Redness or tenderness occurs, as it is preventive rather than curative.
Glycerine is also of use as an injection in case of constipation when the motion is in the lower bowel but cannot be expelled. An injection of a teaspoonful; of Glycerine, or the inspection of a Glycerine suppository, will often give all the assistance required.
28.-Wet Compresses.
A cold compress consists of two or three fold of soft part, and covered by a piece of oil-silk, gutta-percha foil, or india rubber cloths, which should protect a little beyond the wet cloth on all sides, so as to prevent evaporation from the linen. In parts subject to considerable motion, as the throat and beck, the edges of the oil-silk should be folded in over the wet linen so as to prevent its exposure to the air. For persons with feeble reaction, the compress may be held for a minute in front of a fire before applying it.
Compresses are generally best applied at night, as it is often impossible to keep then in close apposition while moving about. After removing them in the morning, the parts should be sponged with cold water to restore the tone of the skin.
ABDOMINAL COMPRESS-This consists of two or three thickness of linen from about six to nine inches wide, and long enough to go round the whole body, or the linen may only cover the front part of the abdomen, or even only the seat of uneasiness; this should be wrung out of cold water, covered with oil-silk and secured by a flannel or linen roller with strings, to keep it in nice opposition with he part which it covers.
This may be won several nights in succession, the parts being well sponged with cold water and rubbed with a coarse towel on removing it in the morning. In constipation it is often a most useful adjunct to our medicines, and in Diarrhoea it receives irritation and facilitates the cure.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."